The Royal Society of Literature announced its newest fellows in London, UK, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Here are the writers of African descent among them.
The Royal Society of Literature was founded to “reward literary merit and excite literary talent” by King George IV in 1820. Currently led by award-winning author Bernardine Evaristo, it has over 600 Fellows, elected from among the best writers in any genre currently at work. Additionally, Honorary Fellows are chosen from those who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of literature, including publishers, agents, librarians, booksellers, or producers.
In the last few years, especially 2022, 2023 and 2024, there has been a marked increase in the writers of African descent who have been included in this hallowed list. They include Leila Aboulela, Joseph Coelho, Anthony Joseph, Sarah Ladipo Manyika, Leone Ross, Tade Thompson, Sulaiman Addonia, Malika Booker, Kayo Chingonyi, Michaela Coel, Fred DAguiar, Musa Okwonga, Monique Roffey, and Lemn Sissay.
The newest fellows were inducted into the society at the annual summer party, hosted at the Garden Museum on Wednesday, July 16.
‘It’s wonderful to see another round of outstanding writers and people in literature receiving honours as Fellows and Honorary Fellows at this year’s summer party,’ said Bernardine Evaristo, who led proceedings as Royal Society of Literature President.
‘The Royal Society of Literature bestows these honours for life on some of the most accomplished figures in British literature. I continue to be amazed every year at the impressive credentials of our new Fellows who work in every area of literature and who increasingly come from a wide range of backgrounds, thereby reflecting the varied populations in our country today.
Now, more than ever, the literature sector needs to be supported and these Fellowships are powerful and prestigious tokens of acknowledgement that recognise and reward brilliant individuals for their crucial role in sustaining literature.’
Here are the writers of African descent who were included this year;
Fellows
Jason Allen-Paisant
Ekow Eshun
Nick Makoha
Honorary Fellows
Annette Brook
Lynette Linton
