N.K. Jemisin

“I write for myself - but it is nice when other people like it, too!”

— N.K. Jemisin 

Life & Background:

Born in 1972 in Iowa City and raised in New York, Jemisin broke barriers as the first Black author to win the Hugo Award for Best Novel—three times in a row. With a background in psychology and education, her writing spans several genres, including sci-fi, fantasy, and political critique.

Inspirations:

She’s influenced by mythology, Afrofuturism, gaming, and speculative fiction, and her storytelling is embedded with strong political consciousness and critiques of systemic power.

Themes in Her Work:

• Power dynamics and oppression

• Environmental catastrophe and survival

• Race, identity, and structural violence

• Rebellion and transformation

• Reimagining myths and societal systems

Notable Works:

• The Broken Earth Trilogy (2015–2017)

• The Inheritance Trilogy (2010–2011)

• How Long ’til Black Future Month? (2018)