SFWA’s Inaugural Infinity Award Honoree Is Octavia E. Butler
May 1, 2023 5:50 AM Subscribe
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) have announced the creation of the Infinity Award, with its inaugural presentation honoring the works and career of Octavia E. Butler (1947–2006) at the 58th Annual Nebula Awards Ceremony on May 14.
The SFWA Board voted to create the Infinity Award to posthumously honor acclaimed creators who passed away before they could be considered for a Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award. This new award aims to recognize that even though those celebrated worldbuilders, storytellers, and weavers of words are no longer with us, their legacies will continue to inspire.
The SFWA Board voted to create the Infinity Award to posthumously honor acclaimed creators who passed away before they could be considered for a Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award. This new award aims to recognize that even though those celebrated worldbuilders, storytellers, and weavers of words are no longer with us, their legacies will continue to inspire.
What does "passed away before they could be considered for a Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award" mean? Was there a minimum requirement that would have prevented Butler from having been chosen in 2005? Or is it just because some of her most important work was still too recent for its enduring significance to be appreciated?
posted by grouse at 7:28 AM on May 1, 2023
posted by grouse at 7:28 AM on May 1, 2023
Not that I can see, grouse. There were even a few “No Award Years,” which is weird. On the other hand, the list is enormously white, so….
posted by GenjiandProust at 7:37 AM on May 1, 2023
posted by GenjiandProust at 7:37 AM on May 1, 2023
Coincidentally just started a reread of the Xenogenesis series. Her imagination, and the ways she uses it to build imagined worlds that speak to our human experience in this world, are without equal.
Also Doro from Wild Seed is one of the most terrifying villains in fiction IMO.
posted by bgribble at 7:47 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Also Doro from Wild Seed is one of the most terrifying villains in fiction IMO.
posted by bgribble at 7:47 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Educated guess: I think in practice this is less about "died before they could technically qualify for the criteria of the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award" and more "we fucked up big with Butler and it probably isn't the last time we really regret not recognizing somebody in their lifetime, so let's create a mechanism to handle this and similar situations."
posted by Tomorrowful at 7:48 AM on May 1, 2023 [17 favorites]
posted by Tomorrowful at 7:48 AM on May 1, 2023 [17 favorites]
Educated guess:
It also looks a bit like the Grandmaster award was turning into the”Oh Shit! Who’s Going to Die Next” Award, and this award solves that problem. I mean, the smart money is always “racism,” but there may have been other factors in play.
posted by GenjiandProust at 7:52 AM on May 1, 2023 [4 favorites]
It also looks a bit like the Grandmaster award was turning into the”Oh Shit! Who’s Going to Die Next” Award, and this award solves that problem. I mean, the smart money is always “racism,” but there may have been other factors in play.
posted by GenjiandProust at 7:52 AM on May 1, 2023 [4 favorites]
Octavia Butler was only 58 when she died, and if she'd been given the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award the year she died, she would've been the youngest person to get one, by a pretty fair margin. So I suspect her not being awarded during her lifetime is partially down to a feeling that there was no rush - that she was going to be around for another decade or two at least. But of course I'm sure that racism also played a role in her contributions not being recognized the way they should have been.
posted by Jeanne at 7:56 AM on May 1, 2023 [11 favorites]
posted by Jeanne at 7:56 AM on May 1, 2023 [11 favorites]
Octavia Butler was only 58 when she died
Oh man. Taken too soon for sure.
I'm about halfway through Parable of the Talents and am pretty bummed that she never got to finish the planned work for this series. It's amazing. Also prophetic:
posted by grouse at 8:21 AM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
Oh man. Taken too soon for sure.
I'm about halfway through Parable of the Talents and am pretty bummed that she never got to finish the planned work for this series. It's amazing. Also prophetic:
Spoiler for Parable of the Talents
There is an evil presidential candidate in this 1998 book who uses "Make America Great Again" as a slogan. Many other prophetic things but that one was astounding for me to read last week.posted by grouse at 8:21 AM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
Butler had well-known issues with writer's block in her later years, so the SFWA might have wanted to avoid giving her an award that she might take as "Well, you're done, so here's your lifetime achievement award."
posted by Etrigan at 8:31 AM on May 1, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by Etrigan at 8:31 AM on May 1, 2023 [4 favorites]
Always glad to see Butler's work recognized!
posted by humbug at 8:42 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by humbug at 8:42 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Coincidentally just started a reread of the Xenogenesis series.
That's one that didn't sit well with me. Besides the issue that the 2nd book is weaker than the 1st, and the 3rd weaker than the second, I found the biological determinism troubling (comment from a recent thread on scifi). I'm curious to hear what others think. Love Kindred and Parable of the Talents, though, and good to see her work honored properly.
posted by Saxon Kane at 8:54 AM on May 1, 2023
That's one that didn't sit well with me. Besides the issue that the 2nd book is weaker than the 1st, and the 3rd weaker than the second, I found the biological determinism troubling (comment from a recent thread on scifi). I'm curious to hear what others think. Love Kindred and Parable of the Talents, though, and good to see her work honored properly.
posted by Saxon Kane at 8:54 AM on May 1, 2023
I found the biological determinism troubling
To me, one of the central concerns that runs through almost all of Butler's work is the interplay of different determinants. It's true that part of what makes her work so powerful is the unusual extent to which she acknowledges and explores the biological aspects that influence and sometimes control the behavior of intelligent and conscious beings. However, I don't think she portrays that as the ultimate or only influence or controlling factor. Tradition, social structures, relationships, and individual aspirations and traumas all play a role in her characterizations and plots, as I read them. The tension of how these forces resolve (or don't!) is the engine of her writing.
posted by slappy_pinchbottom at 9:02 AM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
To me, one of the central concerns that runs through almost all of Butler's work is the interplay of different determinants. It's true that part of what makes her work so powerful is the unusual extent to which she acknowledges and explores the biological aspects that influence and sometimes control the behavior of intelligent and conscious beings. However, I don't think she portrays that as the ultimate or only influence or controlling factor. Tradition, social structures, relationships, and individual aspirations and traumas all play a role in her characterizations and plots, as I read them. The tension of how these forces resolve (or don't!) is the engine of her writing.
posted by slappy_pinchbottom at 9:02 AM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
I think it's also important to point out that the biological determinism towards violence/hierarchy, at least in my read, was more predicated on toxic masculinity than humanness in the Xenogenesis series, a fairly radical (and altogether too correct) critique in her pre-millenial text
I'm sure that if she were alive and enmeshed in the discourse around gender, etc today we'd see a much differently informed sort of text from her that would be too radical for most in the same way I'd expect someone like, for eg, Lovecraft to be blackpilled incel in 2023
posted by paimapi at 9:19 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'm sure that if she were alive and enmeshed in the discourse around gender, etc today we'd see a much differently informed sort of text from her that would be too radical for most in the same way I'd expect someone like, for eg, Lovecraft to be blackpilled incel in 2023
posted by paimapi at 9:19 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
However, I don't think she portrays that as the ultimate or only influence or controlling factor.
In the other works of her I've read I'd agree (not that I'm an expert on her catalogue), but in this trilogy it seemed like the primary issue...
the biological determinism towards violence/hierarchy, at least in my read, was more predicated on toxic masculinity than humanness in the Xenogenesis series
That's possible; I certainly recall toxic masculinity being a major issue in the novels, but I feel like violence and hierarchy were portrayed as more universally human -- i.e. that patriarchy itself was a "natural" human tendency.
I'm sure that if she were alive and enmeshed in the discourse around gender, etc today we'd see a much differently informed sort of text from her
I imagine so, especially w/r/t non-binary identities and non-hetero sexualities, which are pretty much absent from Xenogenesis and, IIRC, Parable of the Talents (or whichever was the first of that series).
posted by Saxon Kane at 9:53 AM on May 1, 2023
In the other works of her I've read I'd agree (not that I'm an expert on her catalogue), but in this trilogy it seemed like the primary issue...
the biological determinism towards violence/hierarchy, at least in my read, was more predicated on toxic masculinity than humanness in the Xenogenesis series
That's possible; I certainly recall toxic masculinity being a major issue in the novels, but I feel like violence and hierarchy were portrayed as more universally human -- i.e. that patriarchy itself was a "natural" human tendency.
I'm sure that if she were alive and enmeshed in the discourse around gender, etc today we'd see a much differently informed sort of text from her
I imagine so, especially w/r/t non-binary identities and non-hetero sexualities, which are pretty much absent from Xenogenesis and, IIRC, Parable of the Talents (or whichever was the first of that series).
posted by Saxon Kane at 9:53 AM on May 1, 2023
I got to see the opera based on Parable of the Sower. It was really good, but I expect few that had not read her closely had any idea what was going on. Ha, opera sop.
The first book of the Xenogenesis series, Dawn, just blew me away. The most original science fiction I'd seen in many years, first contact that actually held up on compilation. No lasers or space battles, aliens that were really alien.
She was an author of her age, I expect if she was writing in this period her takes on contemporary issues would be unique and somewhat beyond recent thought.
posted by sammyo at 10:05 AM on May 1, 2023
The first book of the Xenogenesis series, Dawn, just blew me away. The most original science fiction I'd seen in many years, first contact that actually held up on compilation. No lasers or space battles, aliens that were really alien.
She was an author of her age, I expect if she was writing in this period her takes on contemporary issues would be unique and somewhat beyond recent thought.
posted by sammyo at 10:05 AM on May 1, 2023
She was an author of her age, I expect if she was writing in this period her takes on contemporary issues would be unique and somewhat beyond recent thought.
I mean, maybe? Too many authors outlive their revolution and produce later works that are… disappointing. I like to imagine Butler would have done better, but….
What I remember from reading her early novels, which I (slightly unwisely) read in a great rush from my public library at an impressionable age, was how so many of them revolved on the question “what does it mean when your only real choice is to keep living or die?” and the stark underlining that made to the history of American anti-Blackness.
Then the pure SF Horror of Clay’s Ark, where even that choice was removed.
posted by GenjiandProust at 10:39 AM on May 1, 2023 [4 favorites]
I mean, maybe? Too many authors outlive their revolution and produce later works that are… disappointing. I like to imagine Butler would have done better, but….
What I remember from reading her early novels, which I (slightly unwisely) read in a great rush from my public library at an impressionable age, was how so many of them revolved on the question “what does it mean when your only real choice is to keep living or die?” and the stark underlining that made to the history of American anti-Blackness.
Then the pure SF Horror of Clay’s Ark, where even that choice was removed.
posted by GenjiandProust at 10:39 AM on May 1, 2023 [4 favorites]
grouse: What does "passed away before they could be considered for a Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award" mean?
The Grand Master award can only go to a living author. And it's a lifetime achievement award.
About a decade ago I served on the jury for the GM award. The process was quite loose—an email chat among the jurors in which living candidates were proposed and then agreed or blackballed.
I think I am safe in disclosing that the year I was on the jury, Harlan Ellison was proposed ... and shot down due to the possible reputation to SFWA of endorsing a groper (this was shortly after the Hugo Awards in which he grabbed Connie Willis on stage). In the end the discussion came around to two candidates: Philip Jose Farmer (very clearly an emeritus member but with a body of work ranging between memorable and sub-par pulp because he'd been published over a period of 5 decades and if nothing else, standards changed), and William Gibson, who hadn't won a single genre award since Neuromancer.
It was a slam-dunk for Gibson ... then a month later Farmer died, and I can't help thinking that if the jury had any inkling that he was so close to the end they'd have voted him the award (Gibson was 20 years younger and likely to be around for future years).
The memorial award fixes this bug in the process. Butler is clearly deserving of this level of recognition by SFWA, but died unexpectedly and young: Farmer will eventually be recognized (or not) if he's still remembered fondly in future years.
(PS: note that the only people in my year's award process that I have named are the winner and the dead. Several other authors who are still alive were proposed and rejected.)
posted by cstross at 10:57 AM on May 1, 2023 [12 favorites]
The Grand Master award can only go to a living author. And it's a lifetime achievement award.
About a decade ago I served on the jury for the GM award. The process was quite loose—an email chat among the jurors in which living candidates were proposed and then agreed or blackballed.
I think I am safe in disclosing that the year I was on the jury, Harlan Ellison was proposed ... and shot down due to the possible reputation to SFWA of endorsing a groper (this was shortly after the Hugo Awards in which he grabbed Connie Willis on stage). In the end the discussion came around to two candidates: Philip Jose Farmer (very clearly an emeritus member but with a body of work ranging between memorable and sub-par pulp because he'd been published over a period of 5 decades and if nothing else, standards changed), and William Gibson, who hadn't won a single genre award since Neuromancer.
It was a slam-dunk for Gibson ... then a month later Farmer died, and I can't help thinking that if the jury had any inkling that he was so close to the end they'd have voted him the award (Gibson was 20 years younger and likely to be around for future years).
The memorial award fixes this bug in the process. Butler is clearly deserving of this level of recognition by SFWA, but died unexpectedly and young: Farmer will eventually be recognized (or not) if he's still remembered fondly in future years.
(PS: note that the only people in my year's award process that I have named are the winner and the dead. Several other authors who are still alive were proposed and rejected.)
posted by cstross at 10:57 AM on May 1, 2023 [12 favorites]
s/possible reputation/possible reputational damage/
Sigh.
posted by cstross at 11:03 AM on May 1, 2023
Sigh.
posted by cstross at 11:03 AM on May 1, 2023
Perfect. :Thanks for this post - Butler is amazing. Jamieson next please (The Broken Earth Trilogy).
posted by bluesky43 at 11:15 AM on May 1, 2023
posted by bluesky43 at 11:15 AM on May 1, 2023
N. K. Jemison is still alive! And only 50 years old. Hopefully she's recognized with Damon Knight Award in her lifetime.
posted by mark k at 11:33 AM on May 1, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by mark k at 11:33 AM on May 1, 2023 [4 favorites]
In 2006, our library chose Kindred as our fourth One City, One Story book. Our library staff and the community were so excited for Octavia's author visit, scheduled for March of that year.
Of course, we were stunned at the news of her passing just two weeks before those events were to start.
She has stayed in our hearts and has become very celebrated in Pasadena, CA including the naming of the Octavia E. Butler Magnet School and a new bookstore, Octavia's Bookshelf.
May she continue to Rest In Power through the time and space of human existence!
posted by calgirl at 12:17 PM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
Of course, we were stunned at the news of her passing just two weeks before those events were to start.
She has stayed in our hearts and has become very celebrated in Pasadena, CA including the naming of the Octavia E. Butler Magnet School and a new bookstore, Octavia's Bookshelf.
May she continue to Rest In Power through the time and space of human existence!
posted by calgirl at 12:17 PM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
I'm sure that if she were alive and enmeshed in the discourse around gender, etc today we'd see a much differently informed sort of text from herFledgling, Butler's last novel, definitely deals with alternative sexualities - same-sex relationships, polyamory, etc.
I imagine so, especially w/r/t non-binary identities and non-hetero sexualities, which are pretty much absent from Xenogenesis and, IIRC, Parable of the Talents (or whichever was the first of that series).
Big flashing content warning plus minor spoilers for the first few chapters
The protagonist appears to have the body of a 10-year-old girl even though she is actually much older and not human, and she engages in sexual relationships with adults, so there are some uncomfortable suggestions of pedophilia mixed in there too. The protagonist has abilities that flip the power dynamics, there are biological pheromone-type effects in play, and Butler has her characters directly address the ethics of the situation - it's one of those things where she clearly intends you to sit with that discomfort and unpack it. But I could definitely see where it could be a bridge too far for many readers.
Anyway, for the spoiler above and for some other reasons, I think Fledgling has certainly got its flaws, but the mere fact of its existence also makes me think Butler probably would have engaged in an interesting way with the discourses on gender and sexuality that have evolved since 2005.
Aside from that, though, I have to take a minute to gush about how amazed I always am at the quality of Butler's writing. Her word choices and sentence structure display such neat craftsmanship, and she paints pictures of strange settings so quickly and well, creating really solid-feeling new worlds in which to spin out her imagination. I was reading a science fiction anthology a while back, and going through stories thinking "pretty good," "not bad," and then I hit an Octavia Butler story and it was like slipping into a warm bath or something. Just so good. This award was very well deserved!
posted by sigmagalator at 12:48 PM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
Another writer who died too young, and therefore missed out on the Grandmaster award is John Brunner. He definitely deserves the Infinity Award.
posted by MarioM at 5:09 PM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by MarioM at 5:09 PM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
About a decade ago I served on the jury for the GM award. The process was quite loose—an email chat among the jurors in which living candidates were proposed and then agreed or blackballed.
I think I am safe in disclosing that the year I was on the jury
Cstross, Farmer was named grandmaster in 2001.
William Gibson was named grandmaster in 2019, and Harlan Ellison in 2006. Maybe it was a different award?
posted by Merus at 6:55 PM on May 1, 2023
I think I am safe in disclosing that the year I was on the jury
Cstross, Farmer was named grandmaster in 2001.
William Gibson was named grandmaster in 2019, and Harlan Ellison in 2006. Maybe it was a different award?
posted by Merus at 6:55 PM on May 1, 2023
Probably meant Peter Jairus Frigate.
posted by Etrigan at 8:28 PM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Etrigan at 8:28 PM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
Maybe the Science Fiction Hall of Fame? Gibson was elected in 2008.
posted by tavella at 9:31 PM on May 1, 2023
posted by tavella at 9:31 PM on May 1, 2023
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