Octavia Butler’s Typewriter

1974

Octavia Butler (1947-2006) was a trailblazing science fiction author whose work challenged preconceived notions of history, identity, and perception. Born in Pasadena, California, she was an extremely shy child who discovered new worlds and new possibilities in her local public library. She took writing classes in college and was encouraged by science fiction author Harlan Ellison to attend the Clarion Workshop, a six-week program for aspiring science fiction writers. Butler would go on to become a prolific author with many successful books, including Kindred and Fledgling, and the Patternist and Parable series.