Science Fiction author Octavia Butler was a revolutionary of her time, combing Africa-American culture and history seamlessly into sci-fi novels for all to enjoy. Butler was born on June 22, 1947 in Pasadena, California. Her father died when she was very young and from then on her mother worked as a maid to support the family. Despite being shy and having a diagnosis of dyslexia, by the age of ten, Butler set her sights on a writing career. Later, she earned a degree from Pasadena City College. And, to refine her craft, she enrolled in California State University in Los Angeles, as well as attended writings workshops through UCLA.1 Butler broke new ground when she published her first novel, Patternmaster, in 1976. That book was the first in a series about people with otherworldly powers referred to as Patternists. Inspired by her mother’s hard work and dedication in raising her family, in 1979 Butler released Kindred, a story about an African American woman traveling back in time to save her ancestor- a white slave owner. In an interview with The New York Times, Butler stated,
“I didn't like seeing her go through back doors. If my mother hadn't put up with all those humiliations, I wouldn't have eaten very well or lived very comfortably. So I wanted to write a novel that would make others feel the history: the pain and fear that black people have had to live through in order to endure."1
Although the writing world was dominated by white men,, Butler managed to receive critical acclaim for her work in the mid-eighties. She received two Hugo awards for her work in short stories, as well as a Nebula award from the novella “Bloodchild”. In 1995, Butler became the first ever science-fiction writer to receive a genius grant from the MacArthur Foundation. With the money Butler bought a house for her mother.2
To learn more about Octavia Butler, visit:
https://theportalist.com/octavia-butler-books
https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/octavia-e-butler-1947-2006/
1. https://www.biblio.com/octavia-butler/author/2908
2. https://www.biography.com/people/octavia-e-butler-38207