Octavia Butler Scholarship Formed

-- Publishers Weekly, 3/23/2006

The science fiction writing community has joined with several publishing houses to create the Octavia Butler Memorial Scholarship Fund to honor the internationally acclaimed African American science fiction writer who died last month.

Three publishers—Warner Books, Seven Stories Press and Beacon Press—along with the Science Fiction Hall of Fame and Museum have joined forces to establish the fund. The scholarships will allow a minority writer to attend one of the Clarion writers workshops where Butler got her start.

The first scholarship will be awarded in 2007. The fund will be administered by the Carl Brandon Society, an organization founded to support the representation of the issues of race, ethnicity and culture in the science fiction, horror and fantasy genres.

"Octavia Butler has been a beacon for thousands of us," said novelist Walter Mosley. "This award will continue her legacy making sure that others will find their way to harbor."

Tax deductible donations should be made payable to The Carl Brandon Society. Donations should note that they are for The Octavia E. Butler Memorial Scholarship Fund and can be sent to: The Carl Brandon Society; P.O. Box 23336, Seattle, WA, 98102