📖 Overview
Nisi Shawl is an African American science fiction and fantasy writer known for their short stories, novels, and critical work examining race, gender, and colonialism. Their 2016 steampunk novel Everfair reimagines the history of the Belgian Congo through an alternate history lens.
Shawl co-authored Writing the Other: A Practical Approach, an influential guide on writing about characters from different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. They are also a founding member of the Carl Brandon Society, an organization promoting racial and ethnic diversity in speculative fiction.
Their short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies and magazines including Strange Horizons, Asimov's Science Fiction, and Dark Matter. Their collection Filter House won the James Tiptree Jr. Award in 2009.
In addition to writing fiction, Shawl serves as a critic and instructor, teaching workshops on inclusive writing techniques and reviewing science fiction literature. They currently live in Seattle where they continue to write and advocate for diversity in speculative fiction.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Shawl's detailed worldbuilding and examination of colonialism, particularly in "Everfair." Many note their skill at weaving complex social themes into engaging narratives. Reviews highlight Shawl's unique character perspectives and rich historical research.
Readers praise:
- Fresh takes on steampunk conventions
- Nuanced handling of cultural interactions
- Strong LGBTQ+ representation
- Educational value alongside entertainment
Common criticisms:
- Dense, sometimes challenging prose
- Multiple storylines can be hard to follow
- Pacing issues in longer works
- Some find the political themes too overt
Average ratings:
Goodreads:
- Everfair: 3.5/5 (1,200+ ratings)
- Filter House: 3.8/5 (300+ ratings)
- Writing the Other: 4.2/5 (400+ ratings)
Amazon:
- Everfair: 3.7/5
- Filter House: 4.1/5
One reader noted: "Shawl creates fascinating alternate histories but requires careful attention to detail." Another wrote: "The concepts are brilliant but the execution can be overwhelming."
📚 Books by Nisi Shawl
Everfair (2016) - An alternate history of the Belgian Congo where native inhabitants develop steam technology and establish a safe haven nation.
Filter House (2008) - A collection of fourteen short stories incorporating themes of race, gender, and colonialism across various speculative genres.
Something More and More (2011) - Five short stories exploring magical realism and African spirituality.
Writing the Other: A Practical Approach (2005, with Cynthia Ward) - A guidebook for writers on creating characters with backgrounds different from their own.
New Suns: Original Speculative Fiction by People of Color (2019) - An anthology featuring seventeen speculative fiction stories by authors of color.
Strange Matings: Science Fiction, Feminism, African American Voices, and Octavia E. Butler (2013, with Rebecca J. Holden) - A collection of academic essays and personal reflections about Octavia Butler's work.
Filter House (2008) - A collection of fourteen short stories incorporating themes of race, gender, and colonialism across various speculative genres.
Something More and More (2011) - Five short stories exploring magical realism and African spirituality.
Writing the Other: A Practical Approach (2005, with Cynthia Ward) - A guidebook for writers on creating characters with backgrounds different from their own.
New Suns: Original Speculative Fiction by People of Color (2019) - An anthology featuring seventeen speculative fiction stories by authors of color.
Strange Matings: Science Fiction, Feminism, African American Voices, and Octavia E. Butler (2013, with Rebecca J. Holden) - A collection of academic essays and personal reflections about Octavia Butler's work.
👥 Similar authors
Octavia Butler writes science fiction exploring power dynamics, genetic manipulation, and racial identity. Her works like "Kindred" and the "Xenogenesis" series combine historical elements with future speculation in ways similar to Shawl's approach.
N.K. Jemisin creates fantasy and science fiction centered on marginalized characters navigating complex social structures. Her "Broken Earth" trilogy and "The City We Became" deal with systemic oppression and community resistance.
Andrea Hairston combines African diaspora elements with speculative narratives about transformation and cultural preservation. Her works "Mindscape" and "Redwood and Wildfire" feature characters who must balance tradition with change.
Sheree Renée Thomas focuses on Black speculative fiction that weaves together history, mythology, and futurism. Her editing work and fiction both emphasize voices from the African diaspora while exploring alternate histories.
Tananarive Due writes horror and dark fantasy incorporating African American historical experiences into supernatural narratives. Her works like "My Soul to Keep" and "The Good House" examine intergenerational trauma and healing through a speculative lens.
N.K. Jemisin creates fantasy and science fiction centered on marginalized characters navigating complex social structures. Her "Broken Earth" trilogy and "The City We Became" deal with systemic oppression and community resistance.
Andrea Hairston combines African diaspora elements with speculative narratives about transformation and cultural preservation. Her works "Mindscape" and "Redwood and Wildfire" feature characters who must balance tradition with change.
Sheree Renée Thomas focuses on Black speculative fiction that weaves together history, mythology, and futurism. Her editing work and fiction both emphasize voices from the African diaspora while exploring alternate histories.
Tananarive Due writes horror and dark fantasy incorporating African American historical experiences into supernatural narratives. Her works like "My Soul to Keep" and "The Good House" examine intergenerational trauma and healing through a speculative lens.