Naomi Novik

Naomi Novik is an American author specializing in speculative fiction, recognized for her engaging narratives that often weave historical settings with fantastical elements. Her career includes the widely acclaimed Temeraire series, which reimagines the Napoleonic Wars with the inclusion of dragons, and the Scholomance series, a dark fantasy set in a magical school. Novik's standalone novels, such as "Uprooted" and "Spinning Silver," draw inspiration from European folklore, particularly Polish tales and classic fairy stories like Rumpelstiltskin.

Her background includes a degree in English literature from Brown University and a master's in computer science from Columbia University, with early involvement in game design before dedicating herself to writing. Novik's work has garnered significant critical attention and numerous accolades, including the Alex, Audie, British Fantasy, Locus, Mythopoeic, and Nebula Awards. Beyond her literary achievements, she has also been an active participant in the fan fiction community, co-founding the Organization for Transformative Works (OTW) and the Archive of Our Own (AO3).

Naomi Novik's writing is characterized by its imaginative fusion of historical periods with fantastical concepts. Her Temeraire series, for instance, offers an alternate history of the Napoleonic Wars, infusing the era with aerial dragon combat, a concept she terms "Flintlock Fantasy." This approach allows for exploration of historical conflict through a unique speculative lens. Furthermore, Novik demonstrates a deep engagement with folklore and fairy tales. Her standalone novels "Uprooted" and "Spinning Silver" are directly inspired by Polish folklore and the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale, respectively. This incorporation of traditional narratives into new fantasy settings highlights her skill in reinterpreting familiar stories for contemporary audiences, often imbuing them with a sense of ancient magic and complex character dynamics.

Novik's literary journey began with a childhood steeped in reading, devouring classics like "The Lord of the Rings" at a young age and developing an early appreciation for Jane Austen. Her academic path was interdisciplinary, earning a bachelor's degree in English literature from Brown University and later a master's in computer science from Columbia University. This blend of humanities and technical expertise informed her early career, including participation in the design of the computer game "Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide." However, she ultimately found her passion lay more in crafting narratives than in game development, leading her to focus on her writing career. Her first novel, "His Majesty's Dragon," marked the beginning of her acclaimed Temeraire series.

Beyond her published works, Naomi Novik has been a significant figure in the fan fiction and transformative works community. She played a key role in organizing the Organization for Transformative Works (OTW), a non-profit entity committed to promoting fan-created media such as fan fiction and fan videos. Serving as a director for the OTW, she was also instrumental in the co-founding of Archive of Our Own (AO3), an online repository for fan fiction launched in 2007. The significant impact of AO3 was recognized when it received the Hugo Award for Best Related Work in 2019, an award Novik accepted on behalf of the platform's contributors and readers, underscoring her dedication to fostering creative expression within fan communities.