N. K. Jemisin

I write for myself - but it is nice when other people like it, too!

— N. K. Jemisin

In the 'Dreamblood' books, I'm focusing more on what I like about epic fantasy: the layering and depth of tension; the chance…

— N. K. Jemisin

Actual Victorian mores and politics were a reaction to a specific series of historical events, technological and scientific developments, and ethical trends…

— N. K. Jemisin

I don't really understand why so many fantasy writers choose to focus on worlds that just seem strangely denuded. But to them,…

— N. K. Jemisin

To some degree, as I move outside of the exclusive genre audience, the exclusive genre issues don't bother me as much. Maybe…

— N. K. Jemisin

I would love to just write and not have everything I say or do turn into a political battle.

— N. K. Jemisin

As a black woman, I have no particular interest in maintaining the status quo. Why would I? The status quo is harmful;…

— N. K. Jemisin

I've been very happy with Orbit and am thrilled that they're giving me more chances to explore my creative visions.

— N. K. Jemisin

It's the way the human brain works: when enough events occur in a pattern, we stop thinking and go into macro mode.

— N. K. Jemisin

A fantasy novel set in something other than medieval Europe, featuring an almost entirely black cast, is considered risky.

— N. K. Jemisin

I think the people who believe that works can and always should be divorced from the context are people who have the…

— N. K. Jemisin

It's human nature that we come in our own flavours, and it doesn't make any sense to write a monochromatic or monocultural…

— N. K. Jemisin

Magic is the mysteries into which not everyone is so lucky, or unlucky, as to be initiated. It can be affected by…

— N. K. Jemisin

It takes practice to do anything unique within this field, period, in writing, practice doing anything unique in writing.

— N. K. Jemisin

I was raised to be very wary of the police. I was raised to stay away from them unless you absolutely have…

— N. K. Jemisin

I've always believed that as an artist, as a writer, you need a lot of contact with other people to make your…

— N. K. Jemisin

“ When a slave rebels, it is nothing much to the people who read about it later. Just thin words on thinner…

— N. K. Jemisin

This is magic we're talking about. It's supposed to go places science can't, defy logic, wink at technology, fill us all with…

— N. K. Jemisin

I tend to like writing characters that are not typical heroes.

— N. K. Jemisin

Knowing about authors' beliefs helps you understand how those beliefs influence their writing, and things you thought meant one thing, once you've…

— N. K. Jemisin

I write what feels real. I write things that are informed both by my own experience and by actual history.

— N. K. Jemisin

All people who grew up with science fiction and fantasy and horror went through the whole acculturation process of the genre. We…

— N. K. Jemisin

If you can imagine something, it will be.

— N. K. Jemisin

“It was said that the gods favored fools because they were entertaining to watch.”

— N. K. Jemisin

It's hard out here for a fantasy writer, after all; there's all these 'rules' I'm supposed to follow, or the Fantasy Police…

— N. K. Jemisin