A writer who darkly imagined the future we have destined for
ourselves in book after book, and also one who has shown us
the way toward improving on that dismal fate, OCTAVIA E.
BUTLER (1947–2006) is recognized as among the bravest and
smartest of contemporary fiction writers. A 1995 MacArthur
Award winner, Butler transcended the science fiction category
even as she was awarded that community’s top prizes, the Nebula
and Hugo Awards. She reached readers of all ages, all races,
and all religious and sexual persuasions. For years the only
African-American woman writing science fiction, Butler has
encouraged many others to follow in her path.
A friend of Octavia’s during her Seattle
years, Nisi Shawl is a founder of the
diversity-in-speculative-fiction nonprofit The Carl Brandon
Society. Honors include the World Fantasy and Solstice
awards. Shawl edited Bloodchildren: Stories by the
Octavia E. Butler Scholars; they co-edited Strange Matings:
Science Fiction, Feminism, African American Voices, and Octavia E.
Butler.
“Octavia E. Butler is one of the finest voices in fiction—period …
A master storyteller, Butler casts an unflinching eye on racism,
sexism, poverty, and ignorance and lets the reader see the terror
and beauty of human nature.” —Washington Post Book World
“Readers familiar with … Parable of the
Sower and Bloodchild will recall that [Butler] never
asks easy questions or settles for easy answers.” —Gerald
Jonas, New York Times
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