Karen Lord (b. 1968) is a Barbadian author. Redemption in Indigo, her first novel published in 2010, combines Caribbean storytelling traditions with speculative fiction. "Lord’s world of spider tricksters and indigo immortals, inspired in part by a Senegalese folk tale, will feel instantly familiar—but Paama’s adventures are fresh, surprising, and utterly original." Redemption in Indigo and her second novel, The Best of All Possible Worlds published in 2013 both won the Frank Collymore Literary award two years in a row. 

"She also holds a science degree from the University of Toronto and a PhD in the sociology of religion from The University of Wales. She has taught physics, trained soldiers, and worked in the Foreign Service." Sources: karenlord.wordpress.com; worldswithoutend.com 

Read this 2013 interview with BookPage: "Karen Lord: An author's brave new world"

Photo courtesy: Marlon James

"Karen Lord on Her Writing Process" uploaded by Quercus Books via YouTube.com