Alaya Dawn Johnson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alaya Dawn Johnson
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Johnson in 2013
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| Born | 1982 (age 42–43) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Education | Columbia University (BA) |
| Period | 2007–present |
| Genre | Science fiction, fantasy, Solarpunk |
| Notable works | The Summer Prince The Spirit Binders |
Alaya Dawn Johnson (born in 1982) is an American author. She writes exciting stories in the world of speculative fiction. This type of writing includes science fiction and fantasy, where authors imagine new worlds, technologies, and magical systems.
Contents
About Her Books
Alaya Dawn Johnson has written many different kinds of stories. She has published short stories and longer novels. Her books often explore unique settings and interesting characters.
Fantasy Novels
Johnson has written two urban fantasy novels. These books are about a character named Zephyr Hollis. Zephyr is a "vampire suffragette" living in a different version of New York City in the 1920s. A suffragette was a woman who worked to get the right to vote for women.
She also wrote two novels set on islands. These islands are similar to ancient Polynesia. In these stories, people have learned to control the powers of nature. They can "bind" elemental powers to do their bidding.
Young Adult Fiction
In 2013, Johnson released her first book for young adults. This standalone novel is called The Summer Prince. It takes place in a future world after a big disaster. The story is set in a cyberpunk city in Brazil. This city is ruled by women who use advanced technology.
Guest Speaker
In February 2021, Alaya Dawn Johnson was a special guest. She was the main speaker at a big event. This event was called "Life, the Universe, & Everything." It is a professional meeting for science fiction and fantasy artists and writers.
Her Life Journey
Alaya Dawn Johnson was born in Washington, D.C. She went to Columbia University and finished in 2004. She earned a degree in East Asian Languages and Cultures.
Johnson lived in New York City for many years. In 2014, she moved to Mexico City. She continued her studies there. She earned a master's degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Her studies focused on ancient cultures in Mesoamerica.
Awards and Recognitions
Alaya Dawn Johnson has won many awards for her writing. These awards show how much her stories are loved and respected.
- World Fantasy Awards Winner: Best Novel for Trouble the Saints (2021)
- Nebula Award Winner: Best Novelette for A Guide to the Fruits of Hawai’i (2015)
- Nebula Award Nominee: Best Novelette for They Shall Salt the Earth with Seeds of Glass (2013)
- Andre Norton Award Nominee: Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy for The Summer Prince (2013)
- National Book Award Longlist: Young People's Literature for The Summer Prince (2013)
- GLBTRT Top Ten Rainbow List for The Summer Prince (2014)
- Junior Library Guild selection for The Summer Prince (Spring 2013)
- YALSA nominee for their BFYA list for The Summer Prince (2013)
- Finalist for the 2011 Carl Brandon Society Parallax Award for the novel Moonshine
- Finalist for the 2011 Carl Brandon Society Kindred Award for the novel The Burning City
- Top Ten finalist for the 2010 Million Writers Award for the short story A Song to Greet the Sun
- Winner of the 2008 Gulliver Travel Grant from the Speculative Literature Foundation
- Finalist for the 2006 Carl Brandon Society Parallax Award for the short story Shard of Glass
