Butler Awarded Inaugural Infinity Award
Octavia E. Butler has been named the recipient of the Inaugural Infinity Award. The award is presented by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) 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.”
According to SFWA President Jeffe Kennedy:
Establishing this new award is very important to me. Over the years, so many creators have been passed over for the Grand Master nod, for one reason or another. Some died tragically early. Others were not recognized for their work during their lifetimes because of cultural prejudices and blind spots. Others were simply ahead of their time. When we look back at the nearly sixty years of SFWA celebrating SFF creators, there are some who stand out as ones we deeply wish had been given our highest awards. Being able to recognize Octavia E. Butler as our first recipient of the Infinity Award is an inspiring and gratifying first step toward correcting past omissions.
The award will be presented during the Nebula Awards Ceremony being held May 12-14, 2023, and the directing manager of the Octavia E. Butler Estate will receive it. Instead of a physical award, the SFWA will make a donation to a cause the honoree supported. This year, the donation will go to the Clarion West workshop.
For more information about SFWA, see their website.
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