Main content

N K Jemisin: Writing new worlds

The American science-fiction author goes in-depth about her world-building process and the power of fiction

New York-based writer N. K. Jemisin is one of the biggest names in modern science-fiction. She’s the first in the genre’s history to win three consecutive Hugo Awards, for each book in her Broken Earth trilogy.

In conversation with presenter Dr Vic James, Jemisin talks in-depth about world-building. She reveals how the initial idea for Broken Earth came to her in a dream. This then led her to a NASA writing residency and a trip to Hawaii, flying over its volcanoes in order to accurately visualise the trilogy’s setting: a super-continent called The Stillness that is ravaged by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Jemisin reflects on how it all came together, how she gives voice to the oppressed, and why she thinks these books have resonated with so many people around the world.

Presenter: Vic James
Producer: Eliza Lomas
Executive produced by Rebecca Armstrong for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Service

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Sun 22 May 2022 01:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Tue 17 May 2022 03:32GMT
  • Tue 17 May 2022 04:32GMT
  • Tue 17 May 2022 10:32GMT
  • Tue 17 May 2022 21:32GMT
  • Tue 17 May 2022 22:32GMT
  • Sun 22 May 2022 01:32GMT