The shortlist for the prestigious Brittle Paper Awards were announced just yesterday. The awards, which were established back in 2017, aim to recognize the "finest original pieces of writing by Africans published online." This year, 25 pieces have been shortlisted in the five categories of Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Essays and Think Pieces, Poetry and Anniversary. South African writers Panashe Chigumadzi and Keletso Mopai, Nigerian writers Ope Adedeji and Frances Ogamba as well as Kenyan writers Carey Baraka and Tee Ngugi appear on the shortlist. For the very first time, the shortlist was announced via video by industry heavyweights including Ellah Wakatama Allfrey, the Chair of the Caine Prize, Romeo Origun, Sisonke Msimang, Ato Quayson and Ladipo Manyika.

It's always exciting for the African literary community when it's time to acknowledge and reward great works written in a particular year. This year is no different. The Brittle Paper Awards' shortlist boasts a diverse selection of talented writers who've published works deserving of the highest praise.

Here are the 25 writers who have made it onto the shortlist (as announced on social media) as well as the titles of their qualifying works below. You can also read more about the shortlisted candidates on Brittle Paper here.