The Seeker Effect by Anne Schlebusch

The Seeker Effect is a must-read speculative fiction foray into a dystopian future in which the drowning earth’s orbit has shifted, and times are out of joint.

Five citizens have been temporarily let out of their isolation pods, and they are ready to do anything to avoid returning to the pointlessness of that incarceration.

The book skilfully weaves determination, fear, humour, magic realism, mystery, psychology, science and climate, along with the pace of a thriller. The tight writing delivers insights on being human and asks how to erode, and maybe decimate, authoritarianism.

Just as Anne’s Bloomer challenged perceptions and handling of ageing, ‘Seeker’ takes a wider lens and looks at humanity and the handling of populations. A book for our times.

Author Detail

Anne Schlebusch is the author of Bloomer (Modjaji), that was listed as a 2023 Brittle Paper Notable Book in Africa, was longlisted for both the Sunday Times and NIHSS awards. Anne will be published in the 2026 Karavan Press "In Other Stories" flash writing anthology her 3rd year published out of the 3 years they've been going. She has published short stories, co‑authored language textbooks, and written five YA novels, one winning the 1995 MM Young Africa Award. The Seeker Effect is her first speculative novel, exploring dystopian themes. She holds an MPhil in Applied Language Studies from UCT and relishes challenging formats and genres, inviting readers to question what’s considered normal and boundaries about reality. She lives in Cape Town.

“Propulsive and ingenious speculative fiction, populated by memorable characters who are as smart and funny as they are tenacious. In Bloomer, Schlebusch subverted perceptions of ageing. In The Seeker Effect, she reminds us what it takes to be human and why we shouldn’t forget it.” Penny Haw, author of The Woman and Her Stars.

The Cape Town book launch is on the 18th of August 2026 at Exclusive Books Cavendish Square, and Anne will be in conversation with acclaimed author Penny Haw.