Original version

BBC World Service Australasia

Witness History

Podcasts

Factual: Life Stories

Factual: History

History as told by the people who were there

History as told by the people who were there.

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Witness History: Octavia E. Butler: Visionary black sci-fi writer

Documentaries

Octavia E. Butler

06/03/2023 GMT

Octavia E. Butler: Visionary black sci-fi writer

BBC World Service - Witness History, Octavia E. Butler: Visionary black sci-fi writer

She received numerous Hugos and Nebulas - top writing prizes for sci-fi writing

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)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Witness History

Octavia E. Butler: Visionary black sci-fi writer

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Australasia

About BBC World Service