The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association announced that Octavia E. Butler is the winner of its inaugural Infinity Award, given “to posthumously honor acclaimed creators who passed away before they could be considered for a Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award.”
Butler, who died in 2006, was an award-winning science fiction author, known for her novels including Parable of the Sower, Fledgling, and Kindred. She was widely considered one of America’s best science fiction authors, and became the first writer in that genre to win a MacArthur Fellowship.
Butler recently received another honor: in February, bookseller Nikki High opened Octavia’s Bookshelf, named after the author, and located in Butler’s native Pasadena. The store focuses on books by authors of color.
Jeffe Kennedy, president of the SFWA, said in a statement, “Being able to recognize Octavia E. Butler as our first recipient of the Infinity Award is an inspiring and gratifying first step toward correcting past omissions.”
Jules Jackson, directing manager of the Octavia E. Butler Estate, will accept the award on Butler’s behalf at the Nebula Awards ceremony on May 14.
“Octavia Estelle Butler, the mother of Afrofuturism, has literally written herself into history,” Jackson said. “I am beyond excited to accept this inaugural Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association award, for and on behalf of Octavia Butler, The Octavia E. Butler Estate, and all of the incredible storytellers who are, and continue to be inspired and those who follow in Octavia Estelle Butler’s prescient wake.”
Michael Schaub, a journalist and regular contributor to NPR, lives near Austin, Texas.
