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N. K. Jemisin

エヌ・ケー・ジェミシン

N. K. Jemisin

Pen Names: N. K. Jemisin（Pen name used for published fiction）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1972-09-19 （Iowa City, Iowa, U.S.）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
New York City (raised) → Mobile, Alabama (raised) → Massachusetts (lived for ~10 years) → Brooklyn, New York (current residence)

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Mental health and career counselor
Active Years
2004-

Education

Tulane University
College of Science (Psychology) / Psychology
Degree: BS
Period: 1990–1994
Year of Graduation: 1994
Country: United States
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
University of Maryland, College Park
College of Education / Counseling
Degree: MEd
Country: United States
Studied counseling (Master of Education)

Awards

Locus Award for Best First Novel
2011
Work: The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms
Category: Best First Novel
Organization: Locus
Result: Won
Hugo Award for Best Novel
2016
Work: The Fifth Season
Category: Best Novel
Organization: World Science Fiction Society (WSFS)
Result: Won
Hugo Award for Best Novel
2017
Work: The Obelisk Gate
Category: Best Novel
Organization: World Science Fiction Society (WSFS)
Result: Won
Hugo Award for Best Novel
2018
Work: The Stone Sky
Category: Best Novel
Organization: World Science Fiction Society (WSFS)
Result: Won
Hugo Award for Best Novelette
2020
Work: Emergency Skin
Category: Best Novelette
Organization: World Science Fiction Society (WSFS)
Result: Won
Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story or Comic
2022
Work: Far Sector
Category: Best Graphic Story or Comic
Organization: World Science Fiction Society (WSFS)
Result: Won
MacArthur Fellows Program (Genius Grant)
2020
Organization: MacArthur Foundation
Result: Won
Nebula Award for Best Novel
2017
Work: The Stone Sky
Category: Best Novel
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA)
Result: Won
BSFA Award for Best Novel
2020
Work: The City We Became
Category: Best Novel
Organization: British Science Fiction Association (BSFA)
Result: Won
Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel
2018
Work: The Stone Sky
Category: Best Fantasy Novel
Organization: Locus
Result: Won
Alex Award
2019
Work: How Long 'til Black Future Month?
Organization: American Library Association (ALA)
Result: Won
Locus Award for Best Collection
2019
Work: How Long 'til Black Future Month?
Category: Best Collection
Organization: Locus
Result: Won

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms

2010 Fantasy

A fantasy about political intrigue, power, and the legacy of gods; explores class and oppression.

PowerOppressionCultural conflict

The Fifth Season

2015 Speculative fiction / Fantasy

Set in a world plagued by catastrophic geological events, it examines survival, discrimination, and power structures. First book of the Broken Earth trilogy.

Environmental catastropheOppressionRace and class
Adaptations
  • [Screen adaptation (TV/teleplay)] The Broken Earth (trilogy)

The Obelisk Gate

2016 Speculative fiction / Fantasy

Second book of the Broken Earth trilogy; expands the world and deepens character conflicts and the world's mechanics.

CommunityRevenge and reconciliation

The Stone Sky

2017 Speculative fiction / Fantasy

Final volume of the Broken Earth trilogy; culminates series themes of oppression, violence, and liberation.

LiberationHistory and memory

The City We Became

2020 Urban fantasy

Imagines cities as living entities; explores New York's diversity and collective resistance.

UrbanitySolidarityIdentity

The World We Make

2022 Urban fantasy

Sequel to The City We Became; continues to explore the relationship between a city and its inhabitants and political struggles.

Urban politicsCommunity

Far Sector

2019 Graphic novel / Comic

A limited DC Comics series set in a futuristic city examining social systems and discrimination through SF.

GovernanceDiscrimination

Emergency Skin

2019 Science fiction (novelette)

A novelette about returnees and colonized societies; questions social hierarchy and ethics.

ColonizationEthicsReturn

How Long 'til Black Future Month?

2018 Short story collection / SF & Fantasy

Collection of short stories from 2004–2017 plus new works; covers a variety of themes and styles.

FuturesRaceSociety

Bibliography

  • The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (2010)
  • The Broken Kingdoms (2010)
  • The Kingdom of Gods (2011)
  • The Killing Moon (2012)
  • The Shadowed Sun (2012)
  • The Fifth Season (2015)
  • The Obelisk Gate (2016)
  • The Stone Sky (2017)
  • How Long 'til Black Future Month? (2018)
  • The City We Became (2020)
  • The World We Make (2022)
  • Far Sector (comic, 2019)
  • Emergency Skin (novelette, 2019)

Adaptations

  • The Broken Earth trilogy adaptation rights (TriStar Pictures deal; author attached to adapt)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Intricate worldbuildingEmphasis on social and political themesPolyphonic narratives (multiple perspectives)
Recurring Motifs
Oppression and liberationEnvironmental/natural catastropheCities and community

Legacy

Jemisin brought diversity and social issues to SF/fantasy and made history at the Hugos. She was the first author to win three consecutive Hugo Awards for Best Novel with the Broken Earth trilogy and has had major influence on contemporary genre literature.

Trivia

  • First author to win three consecutive Hugo Awards for Best Novel (2016–2018) with the Broken Earth trilogy.
  • Recipient of a 2020 MacArthur Fellowship (Genius Grant).
  • Won Hugo Awards for a novelette (Emergency Skin, 2020) and for a graphic story (Far Sector, 2022).