Octavia E. Butler: Visionary black sci-fi writer - a podcast by BBC World Service

In 1995, Octavia E Butler became the first author to receive a MacArthur “genius” 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)

Further episodes of Witness History

Further podcasts by BBC World Service

Website of BBC World Service