Octavia Butler

She suffered from dyslexia.

She died on February 24, 2006 at the age of 58 in Lake Forest Park, Washington, outside her house. The cause of her death is unknown.

In her honour and memory 'The Octavia E. Butler Memorial Scholarship' was founded in 2006 by the Carl Brandon Society. This facilitates African-American writers to attend the Clarion Writers' Workshop, which she first attended. In 2011, it was put on hold.

Octavia Estelle Butler was born on June 22, 1947 in Pasadena, California, U.S. She lost her father Laurice, when she was an infant and was raised by her mother, Octavia M. Butler and grandmother.

Her mother worked as a maid to support the family. She was raised in a racially mixed neighbourhood, which was not very easy for her to deal as she was a rather shy child.

She loved to read as a child and developed a liking for science fiction classics. From the age of ten she began writing stories.

In 1968, she graduated from the Pasadena City College with an associate's degree. She initially enrolled at the California State University, Los Angeles, but left to take writing classes through the University of California, Los Angeles extension.

In 1969, she attended The Open Door Workshop organised by the ‘Screenwriters’ Guild of America’, West. Here she met the acclaimed science fiction writer, Harlan Ellison.

In 1971, she earned her first publication with the story, ‘Crossover', which was printed in the Clarion Workshop anthology. While writing stories, she also did many jobs to make ends meet.

In 1976, she published her first science fiction novel, ‘Patternmaster', which eventually became the first book of her 'Patternist series'. The book revolves around networked telepaths.

In 1977 and the following year, she came out with the 'Patternist series' of novels, titled ‘Mind of My Mind' and 'Survivor'.The science fiction series was well received.

In 1979, her novel titled, ‘Kindred' was published. The plot revolved around the life of an African-American woman named, ‘Edana Dana Franklin', who resides in Altadena, California.

In 1980, she came out with her fourth novel in the 'Patternist series' titled, ‘Wild Seed’. The novel received good reviews and was praised by New York Times reviewer Gerald Jonas.

Her award winning short story collection. ‘Bloodchild and Other Stories’ was declared as a New York Times ‘Notable Book’. With this book she established herself as one of the strongest voices in contemporary literature.