Nino Cipri

Nino Cipri is a science fiction writer, editor, and educator whose works have garnered nominations for prestigious genre awards including the Nebula, Hugo, Locus, World Fantasy, and Shirley Jackson Awards. A graduate of the 2014 Clarion Workshop, they completed their MFA in fiction from the University of Kansas in 2019. Their notable works include the novella "Finna" and its sequel "Defekt," both exploring parallel universes and retail work through a queer lens. Their short story collection "Homesick" received critical acclaim and showcases their ability to blend elements of horror, fantasy, and contemporary issues. Cipri's writing has appeared in numerous respected publications including Tor.com, Fireside Magazine, Nightmare Magazine, and Daily Science Fiction. Their work often incorporates themes of queerness, identity, and social justice, influenced by authors such as Ursula K. Le Guin and Kelly Link. Prior to their writing career, Cipri worked in various roles including stagehand, bookseller, bike mechanic, food columnist, and labor organizer, experiences that often inform their storytelling. They currently contribute to the field both through their creative work and as an educator in the speculative fiction community.

Readers consistently highlight Cipri's ability to blend horror, humor, and social commentary. Their novella "Finna" draws praise for its concise storytelling and authentic portrayal of retail work, with readers on Goodreads noting its "sharp wit" and "relatable workplace dynamics." Readers appreciate: - Fresh takes on parallel universe stories - LGBTQ+ representation without making it the central conflict - Accessible writing style - Realistic dialogue - Dark humor Common criticisms: - Some stories feel too short - Plot pacing issues in longer works - Characters sometimes underdeveloped - World-building can feel rushed Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - "Finna": 3.8/5 (7,000+ ratings) - "Defekt": 3.9/5 (2,000+ ratings) - "Homesick": 4.1/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: - "Finna": 4.2/5 - "Defekt": 4.3/5 - "Homesick": 4.4/5 Multiple readers mention Cipri's work as their introduction to nonbinary authors in speculative fiction.

Finna When their elderly customer disappears into a portal inside a furniture store, two minimum wage workers must navigate dangerous parallel universes to rescue her while dealing with their recent breakup.

Defekt A fastidious furniture store employee who always follows the rules faces his own clone army and questions his identity during a night shift inventory check.

Homesick [Short Story Collection] A collection of stories exploring themes of queerness, family, and displacement through various speculative lenses including horror, fantasy, and science fiction elements.

Kelly Link writes short stories that blend contemporary settings with supernatural elements and parallel realities. Her work shares Cipri's interest in crossing genre boundaries and exploring queer themes through speculative fiction frameworks.

Charlie Jane Anders combines science fiction concepts with character-driven narratives focused on gender and identity. Her work explores similar themes of queerness and social justice while maintaining focus on human relationships within fantastic scenarios.

Carmen Maria Machado creates stories that merge horror elements with experimental structures and queer narratives. Her work deals with similar themes of identity and embodiment while incorporating elements of magical realism and horror.

Rivers Solomon writes speculative fiction that examines social structures and marginalized identities through science fiction and fantasy frameworks. Their work shares Cipri's focus on challenging conventional narratives while exploring themes of identity and belonging.

Sarah Gailey produces stories that combine elements of multiple genres while centering queer characters and perspectives. Their work incorporates similar approaches to examining power structures and identity through speculative fiction frameworks.