Main content

Octavia E. Butler: Visionary black sci-fi writer

The visionary African American science-fiction writer Octavia Butler had a vivid imagination. She won multiple Hugos and Nebulas - top awards for sci-fi writing.

In 1995, Octavia E Butler became the first author to receive a MacArthur “genius” award for science fiction writing.

From a young age she dreamed of writing books, but faced many challenges, including poverty, sexism and racism in the publishing industry.

She died aged 58 in 2006. Alex Collins speaks to her friend and fellow author Nisi Shawl.

(Photo: Octavia E. Butler. Credit: Getty Images)

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Tue 7 Mar 2023 03:50GMT
BBC World Service except South Asia

More episodes

Previous

Zoran Djindjic: The murder of Serbia's prime minister

Next

Mexico's first female presidential hopeful

See all episodes from Witness History

Clip

Broadcasts

  • Mon 6 Mar 2023 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Mon 6 Mar 2023 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Mon 6 Mar 2023 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
  • Mon 6 Mar 2023 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Tue 7 Mar 2023 00:50GMT
    BBC World Service South Asia
  • Tue 7 Mar 2023 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except South Asia

Featured in...

Podcast