Courttia Newland

Born in 1973 to parents of Jamaican and Barbadian heritage, Courttia Newland grew up in West London. Before becoming a writer, he was involved in the music scene as a rapper and producer. Newland has authored several novels, with his 2021 work, 'A River Called Time,' receiving significant critical acclaim for its imaginative scope and exploration of alternative realities, earning a place on the Arthur C. Clarke Award shortlist.

Beyond novels, Newland has a prolific career in playwriting, with numerous productions staged since the late 1990s. His literary contributions also extend to co-editing anthologies of Black British writing and contributing short stories to various collections. He has engaged in extensive international cultural exchange through the British Council and held writer-in-residence positions at academic institutions and charities. He also co-authored a guide to writing short stories and contributed to Steve McQueen's 'Small Axe' film series.

Courttia Newland's fiction, particularly his novel 'A River Called Time,' is noted for its ambitious and complex world-building. Critics have highlighted its departure from Eurocentric perspectives, creating new realities that prompt reflection on societal views. The work is described as multi-layered and speculative, opening avenues to explore non-colonial futures. This approach suggests a philosophical engagement with alternative paradigms and the deconstruction of established narratives, offering readers thought-provoking speculative fiction that challenges conventional understanding.

Newland's writing career began with his first novel, 'The Scholar,' in 1997, followed by a series of other novels. His plays have been performed since 1998, including an adaptation of Euripides' 'The Women of Troy.' His short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies, and he has co-edited significant collections of new Black writing in Britain. Newland's work has garnered recognition, including a shortlist for the Arthur C. Clarke Award for 'A River Called Time,' and awards for both science fiction and playwriting, underscoring his versatility and impact across different literary forms.

“This is an ambitiously imagined book that, by removing the European lens on African cultures, creates a new reality that allows us to question how we view our own. Complex and multilayered, this novel opens the door to the possibilities of noncolonial worlds.”

“Courttia Newland's new novel presents us with a dystopian multiverse imagined at thrilling scale.”

“no one can doubt the sheer energy and verve of Newland's vision”

“This is sure to please fans of thought-provoking speculative fiction.”