Abi Daré, a Nigerian author and University of Wolverhampton law graduate, has been announced as the first winner of the Climate Fiction Prize for her novel “And So I Roar”, a sequel to her bestselling debut “The Girl with the Louding Voice”.
The novel explores the lives of rural women and girls in Nigeria impacted by environmental collapse. Daré received the prestigious £10,000 prize at a ceremony in London, where judges praised her work as “a book of real energy and passion” that highlights the human response to climate change.
The author expressed her gratitude, stating she doesn’t need permission to step into global conversations or conform her stories to fit a certain lens.
Daré’s win is significant, as climate fiction often originates from the global north, and her story showcases the harsh effectsá of climate crisis on Africa, despite the continent accounting for only 4% of global carbon emissions ².
Madeleine Bunting, author and judging chair, described “And So I Roar” as a story that “horrifies and entertains with a cast of compelling characters”, while holding faith in individual strength and relationships. David Wedge, University of Wolverhampton’s head of alumni relations, congratulated Daré, saying her win testifies to her talent and writing importance. Daré will speak at the university’s inclusivity conference, Authentic Allyship, on June 12.
