Nisi Shawl (b. 1955) is a writer, editor, and journalist. A writer of mostly science fiction, she is best known for her short story collection, Filter House, which received the James Tiptree, Jr. award. Filter House, including the short story, "Good Boy" have both been nominated for the World Fantasy Award. She has edited several works, including Bloodchildren Stories by Octavia Butler and co-edited Strange Matings: Octavia E. Butler, Science Fiction, African Voices, and Feminism. She attended the Clarion Writers Workshop, which she credits with "learning more in six weeks things that six years at the University could never have taught her." Originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan, Shawl now currently resides in Seattle, close to the beach. - Aqueduct Press

Photo: Caren Corley