No, the African fiction space is not saturated. Just like the Western fiction space is not saturated, and there is always space for the next best voice no matter what. African fiction is not a genre, but fiction that stems from Africa. Because of this, and because of the lack of African writers writing genre fiction, there is enough space for everyone to shine.
Of course, with the emergence of new writers and social media spaces like booktok or bookstagram for book lovers, it is easy to think the African fiction market is too saturated for anyone to want your book, especially as a first-time author. But according to UNESCO in this article, Africa’s book industry is underrepresented on the global stage and accounts for only 5.4% of global publishing revenue.
The article states that ‘In 2023, the (African) continent imported books worth an estimated US$597 million while exporting books to the value of US$81 million.’ Admittedly, this is in part because we still lack ‘specific legislation to support the book industry’.
However, more than that, while there seems to be a hype everywhere about African fiction and the next best novel, only a handful of novels are really being pushed out there. If I was to ask you to list a few good Nigerian novels, chances are you’d list the usual titles lauded by publishers like Masobe books and their fans, and the very few titles that make it to elusive literary prize longlists.
Social media is doing the Lord’s work for African authors and giving emerging authors hope that there is a market for them, but it is also giving new authors the false impression that the market is saturated. We can’t do much about this but accept that the benefits far outweigh the cons.
While new writers emerge every year, only the strongest remain in the spotlight until the next year, and this shouldn’t scare you. It should instead tell you that it is okay to try, because there are other people who are trying as well, and if you are good enough, you’d break through the ceiling and find your minutes of fame with social media and African-focused publishers. Maybe even the whole wild world.
The fact that you need to be good shouldn’t scare you either. If it was so easy to find success in the literary community, every mediocre writer would be a household name and the industry would crash.
Then there is genre fiction. There are so many untapped genres to write in, all with forerunner’s grace (a term I’ve coined to mean the success that comes with being the first at something even if you are not exactly the best).
The world is becoming more accepting of African fiction that does not fit the mould of literary fiction and there is a growing audience for speculative fiction and fiction that lets you experiment with form and voice and push those boundaries.
Every day, people search for fresh perspectives and exciting narratives, and what do you know? Your story might just be the next best thing!
So, while it may seem like the African fiction market is already saturated, the reality is that it is not and there is enough space for your story. We’re waiting eagerly for it, even.
Don’t forget to share this with a friend!
