Female Fantasy Authors, November 2012

Octavia Butler always referred to herself as a science fiction fan, and while she would go on to pen extraordinary books in the field, hers were often molded around themes of sexual ambiguity and race. Kindred is easily her most recognizable/popular novel, and deals with time travel and slavery -- a haunting work that can serve to generate worthwhile conversations. She won a Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1999 for the second of her Parable Series (The Parable of the Talents), a two book dystopian saga. She unfortunately passed away at age 58 after suffering a fall outside her home in 2006.