iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 11h

The City of Factories is still available to order. Link in the website in my bio. Don’t forget to leave a review! Thanks and happy reading!

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 11h

Hey everyone! I have an interview with NYT bestselling author @gailcarriger.bsky.social. She was my first introduction to steampunk so I was excited to do this. The link is here: gailcarriger.com/2026/10/13/ese…

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Vajra Chandrasekera @vajra.me · 14/10/2026

Simba Kundizeza's statement on his Caine Prize-winning story "The Blue Fighter" is also worth reading—keep in mind, the evidence-free article slandering him was published in The Atlantic to a mass readership and his defense is a tweet to his eight hundred followers

Simba Kundizeza
@S_S_Kundizeza
Statement on The Atlantic article concerning “The Blue Fighter”

I would like to say at the outset that this statement is not in any way a proffer of an explanation or a defense against the allegations levelled against me in the article published by The Atlantic, because I don’t believe the article warrants either. I am however writing because of the level of public interest generated in its aftermath, and out of respect for the people who have supported and championed my writing, as well as my fellow shortlisted writers for the Caine Prize. I want to set the record straight.

For the avoidance of doubt, I wrote "The Blue Fighter." I did not use generative AI to write it. It is entirely my own work.

This story did not appear out of nowhere; it has a concrete, documented history. Its genesis was during my LOATAD Black Atlantic Residency in Ghana. While there‚ I read a poem by vangile gantsho titled “my father's hands․” I was inspired by this poem to write a story about my family's experiences in Zimbabwe‚ including my father leaving his accounting profession and the hardships my family faced as a result․ Other aspects of the story‚ including characters and the setting‚ are drawn from events in my own life․

There is also a clear chronology to the story's development. I sent the completed first draft of the story to vangile for feedback on May 15‚ 2025․ I then submitted the story to The Shallow Tales Review on May 27‚ 2025․ Fiction editor Nzube Nlebedim accepted the story on June 10‚ 2025‚ and it went through the standard editorial process. vangile then provided her feedback to me on June 25‚ 2025․ On the same day Nzube also provided editorial feedback to me․ In an email dated June 27‚ 2025‚ I sent the final draft and requested that the editor preserve the formatting of an epigraph in the story as originally submitted by vangile as a courtesy to her․ The story was published on June 30‚ 2025․

The Atlantic article seems to question the story's authorship by comparing its style to my other writing. As writers we develop recurring interests, but we don’t produce work from a single fixed template. My debut novel, “Freelance”, and the story titled "The Whistleblower" published in Transition Magazine in 2021 which is referenced by Ms. Vara, are thrillers dealing with political intrigue. "The Blue Fighter," however, is a deeply personal story about economic collapse and familial relationships. The voice shifts because the subject matter demands it. To suggest that a writer cannot write in different styles or genres, or improve his writing substantially after five or more years fundamentally misunderstands the craft of writing.

The motive for my supposedly using AI to generate the story is equally difficult to understand. I was under no obligation to write “The Blue Fighter”. I was not commissioned to produce it, nor was I paid a fee for its publication. The decision to submit the piece for consideration for the Caine Prize was made by the editor of The Shallow Tales Review months after its publication. I therefore didn’t write the story with any guarantee that it would be submitted, let alone win anything. The idea that I would have somehow written the story with the express intention of entering and winning the Caine Prize, despite the inherently competitive and uncertain nature of the prize, conjures up a motive that simply did not exist.

"The Blue Fighter" is my work, and I stand by it completely. I'm grateful to vangile for her inspiration, to The Shallow Tales Review for giving the story a home, and to the Caine Prize judges for recognizing the work on its merits. I’m also heartened by the numerous messages of solidarity from fellow writers and readers, and to Adrienne Ingrum and Regina Brooks at Serendipity Literary Agency for their support throughout.
I look forward to continuing to work with the Caine Prize team, and to celebrating this recognition with the people who helped bring this story into the world.

Most importantly, I will continue to write.

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Ruadán Books @ruadanbooks.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Happy book birthday to THE CITY OF FACTORIES by @naomieselojor.bsky.social! Grab your copy of this Africanfuturist steampunk novella wherever books are sold. Available in paperback, ebook, and audio formats. Thank you to our @netgalley.bsky.social reviewers for sharing their thoughts! #BookSky

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Many thanks to everyone for their love and support. Oh yes, and SPOT MY FREEDOM PERMIT!! You have a week to buy all my books. Link in the bio. Hurry now, or someone might come for your mom.😌😇❤️

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Happy Book Birthday to The City of Factories!!! 🥳🥳❤️❤️❤️, my debut African Steampunk novella and my labor of love. I have no words and I’m still trying to process having a novella out in the world.

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Ruadán Books @ruadanbooks.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Meet the Queen Mother: she's not a fan of high walls. Or self-determination. THE CITY OF FACTORIES, @naomieselojor.bsky.social's debut Africanfuturist steampunk novella, is out TOMORROW. Last call to pre-order direct & get an art card of S. Muhammad's cover! 🔗 links.ruadanbooks.com/TCOF #BookSky

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!

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Ruadán Books @ruadanbooks.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Meet Korede, who very much would like to go back to the drawing board. THE CITY OF FACTORIES, @naomieselojor.bsky.social's debut steampunk novella sent in an alternative Nigeria, is out in FOUR DAYS. Pre-order from your favorite bookstore, or direct: 🔗 links.ruadanbooks.com/TCOF #BookSky #scifi

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Ruadán Books @ruadanbooks.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Meet Ruka, fan of purple smoke and covert operations. THE CITY OF FACTORIES, @naomieselojor.bsky.social's debut Africanfuturist steampunk novella, is out in FIVE DAYS. Pre-order from your favorite bookstore, or direct for the best paperback price: 🔗 links.ruadanbooks.com/TCOF #BookSky #scifi

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Ruadán Books @ruadanbooks.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Meet Alabi, who's just left home and is about to discover the resistance. THE CITY OF FACTORIES, @naomieselojor.bsky.social's debut steampunk novella sent in an alternative Nigeria, is out in SIX DAYS. Direct pre-orders come with a cover art card: ⚙ links.ruadanbooks.com/TCOF #BookSky #TBR

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Ruadán Books @ruadanbooks.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

A missing father. A determined son. The path through The City of Factories is anything but easy. @naomieselojor.bsky.social's debut Africanfuturist steampunk novella arrives October 13, 2026. Pre-order: links.ruadanbooks.com/TCOF or from your favorite bookstore! #BookSky

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Eight days until my book’s release!🙂❤️

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Ruadán Books @ruadanbooks.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Happy book birthday to BORN OF MALICE by @xanwriter.bsky.social! Grab your copy of this dark epic fantasy wherever books are sold, or direct: links.ruadanbooks.com/BOM Thank you, @jedwardneill.bsky.social for the awesome cover, & @netgalley.bsky.social reviewers! #BookSky #darkfantasy #LGBTQIA

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

THE CITY OF FACTORIES is still available for preorder and will be out in twelve days. For my UK readers, the ebook and audiobook are available on Kobo and Amazon. Paperback, kindle and audiobook are available on Amazon for my North American friends. The release date is 13th October 2026

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Stoked to see The City Of Factories advertised on the latest issue of @locusmagazine. Swipe to see 👀

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Check out Vera’s arc review on The City of Factories!

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I started writing Alabi’s story in 2022. And I knew I’d always wanted it to be published as a standalone with a publisher. I feel so lucky to have it in my hands. Special thanks to everyone who made this a reality!

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Unboxing my book baby had me all in my feelings. African steampunk was a challenge and I’m so proud of myself for pulling it off. @ruadanbooks.bsky.social

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

You can now request the audiobook of my debut!! So exciting!

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

My African Steampunk novella- THE CITY OF FACTORIES was featured on the African and Black Authors in 2026 at Bookshop.org. For my UK readers, the ebook is available on Kobo. Paperback and kindle is also available on Amazon for my N/American friends and the Audiobook is also available for preorder.

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Ruadán Books @ruadanbooks.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Set sail to THE CITY OF FACTORIES on 10.13! @naomieselojor.bsky.social's Africanfuturist novella is set in a steampunk Nigeria ravaged by invaders’ automatons, in which a young man is determined to reunite with his abducted inventor father. ⚙ links.ruadanbooks.com/TCOF #BookSky #scifi #TBR

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

WE HAVE AN AUDIOBOOK, EVERYONE! Special thanks to James Fouhey for this brilliant narration.

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Wole Talabi | Preorder THE FIST OF MEMORY @wtalabi.com · 17/09/2026

Behold, the gorgeous West African cover design for my forthcoming novel THE FIST OF MEMORY!

West African cover design for The Fist Of Memory by Wole Talabi. Coming from Masobe books.

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Somto Ihezue @somtoihezue.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

We Begin Where Infinity Ends, is a Nommo Award Short Story Finalist✨🪲💕 Infinitely grateful to everyone who nominated it, the ASFS community, every reader, reviewer, and friend who read, loved, and shared this story💫 And just honored to share this ballot with these incredible authors!!!

Announcing the 2026 Nommo Awards Shortlist. In the Short Story category, the shortlisted works are: Adelehin Ijasan, A Heap of Petrified Gods; Kevin Rigathi, If Memory Serves; Plangdi Neple, Full, Empty Houses; Moustapha Mbacké Diop, Apostasy in Fruit; Somto Ihezue, We Begin Where Infinity Ends; and T.L. Huchu, The Cancellation of Michael Z.

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

It’s one month until THE CITY OF FACTORIES goes live. I know as an author, I am not supposed to read reviews but as a debut author, I couldn’t help it. These are my favorites so far. ARCs are still available until the 12th of November on NetGalley. Paperback, ebook and audiobooks are available.

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Ruadán Books @ruadanbooks.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

THE CITY OF FACTORIES by @naomieselojor.bsky.social is out 10.13.26! @aijiang.bsky.social kindly called it "a soulful steampunk tale of automation & industrialism, mortality & the cost of our decisions..." Come for the automatons; stay for the resistance. ⚙️ links.ruadanbooks.com/TCOF #BookSky

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LaDarrion Williams @itsladarrion.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

To the kid back in Alabama who read Percy Jackson and told himself he’d write a book series with a character who looks like him one day… You did it, kid. #booksky

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Ruadán Books @ruadanbooks.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

We're looking forward to a steampunk weekend, right? Because this stunning novella is now on NetGalley! Reviewers, grab THE CITY OF FACTORIES by @naomieselojor.bsky.social & don your goggles. You're in for an epic ride. NG: links.ruadanbooks.com/TCOFNG UK: links.ruadanbooks.com/TCOFUK #BookSky

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Ruadán Books @ruadanbooks.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Hey steampunk fans: epic new drop coming this October! Take @suyidavies.com's word for it; you don't want to miss this powerhouse of a novella. ⚙️ links.ruadanbooks.com/TCOF The City of Factories by @naomieselojor.bsky.social is out 10.13.26. #BookSky #Africanfuturism

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

My first publication was free, in 365 tomorrows. The first one I sold to was tree and stone magazine which is currently out of business. They didn’t publish for long.

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Nkereuwem Albert @nkereuwxm.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

NOMMO SEASON😊 Consider nominating my debut novel The Bone River 🐍 for The Ilube Award for Best Speculative Fiction Novel✨ Nomination is open to members of the ASFS and you can register and nominate up till 12th August 2026 www.africansfs.com/nommo-awards...

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

This will be me soon. Congratulations to her!

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Hi guys. So I just opened an author TikTok account where I’ll be posting details about my forthcoming novella. Please follow me here: www.tiktok.com/@authornaomieseloj

tiktok.com

authornaomieselojor's Creator Profile

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

24 on the 24th. Happy birthday to meee❤️❤️❤️. As a birthday gift, it would mean the world to me if you preorder my debut novella. ruadanbooks.com/product/the-... please like and repost. Thank you!

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

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Somto Ihezue @somtoihezue.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

We Begin Where Infinity Ends is an Ignyte Award Finalist!!! Deeply honored and grateful to the judges and everyone who has read, reviewed, and supported this little firefly story ✨🪲🫶🏽

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Hi everyone! The City of Factories is up on Goodreads. Please shelf it, add it to your TBR or follow me on there if you like. Thanks! www.goodreads.com/en/book/show...

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Naomi Eselojor @naomieselojor.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Hi everyone! The City of Factories is up on Goodreads. Please shelf it, add it to your TBR or follow me on there if you like. Thanks! www.goodreads.com/en/book/show...

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Aishatu Ado @aishatuado.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Big news 🎊 My chapbook BLACK BOX FLIGHT RECORDER is now available for pre-order after winning the 2025 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest out of 1,000+ submissions. 🏆 Interested in experimental poetry, Afrofuturism? Pre-order here and share the link with your network: buttonpoetry.com/product/blac...

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Milford SFF Conference @milfordsff.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

One of our Milfordites @naomieselojor.bsky.social from 2024 has shared the cover reveal for her novella debut! Congratulations, Naomi!

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