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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 β€œgenius” 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)

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