Picture a Lebanese-Canadian storyteller who spun a time-bending love story that captivated the world—meet Amal El-Mohtar! Born in Ottawa in 1984, this speculative fiction maestro weaves lyrical prose with profound themes, earning her a Nebula Award for the dazzling novella This Is How You Lose the Time War. Her work dances between poetry and science fiction, inviting readers into worlds where love, time, and identity collide.
With a voice that’s both tender and fierce, El-Mohtar has become a beacon in modern literature. From editing poetry journals to reviewing sci-fi for the New York Times, her influence stretches far beyond her books. Ready to explore the magic of Amal El-Mohtar? Let’s dive into her story!
The Making of Amal El-Mohtar
Born to a Lebanese family in Ottawa, Ontario, Amal El-Mohtar spent her early years immersed in stories, with two formative years in Lebanon starting at age six. Her love for language bloomed early—she won a poetry contest at 12! Despite a discouraging math teacher who claimed girls were better suited for literature, El-Mohtar’s curiosity and defiance fueled her path. She pursued creative writing, later teaching at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa, and began publishing poetry and short fiction in her 20s.
Her Lebanese heritage and bilingual upbringing shaped her storytelling, infusing it with a rich sense of place and identity. Editing the poetry magazine Goblin Fruit since 2006, she carved a niche in speculative poetry, blending myth and modernity. This foundation set the stage for her prose, where every sentence feels like a carefully crafted verse.
Amal El-Mohtar’s Unforgettable Stories
El-Mohtar’s breakout came with This Is How You Lose the Time War (2019), co-authored with Max Gladstone. This epistolary novella follows two time-traveling agents, Red and Blue, whose taunting letters evolve into a forbidden romance. Its intricate wordplay and emotional depth won the 2019 Nebula Award, 2020 Hugo Award, and 2020 Locus Award, cementing her reputation.
Her earlier work, The Honey Month (2010), is a collection of poetry and prose inspired by 28 types of honey, showcasing her ability to blend sensory detail with speculative wonder. The short story “Seasons of Glass and Iron” (2016) reimagines fairy tales, winning Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards for its feminist lens. Her latest novel, The River Has Roots (2024), explores sisterhood and magical grammar, further highlighting her lyrical style.
El-Mohtar’s writing is a tapestry of lush imagery, queer narratives, and cross-cultural threads. Her stories often explore love, resistance, and the fluidity of time, making her a standout in speculative fiction. Whether through poetry or prose, she crafts worlds that linger long after the last page.
Why Amal El-Mohtar Matters
Amal El-Mohtar’s impact lies in her ability to bridge genres and cultures. Her work challenges speculative fiction’s boundaries, blending sci-fi with poetry and Lebanese heritage with Canadian identity. As a bisexual author, she brings authentic queer voices to the forefront, resonating with readers seeking diverse stories. Her reviews in the New York Times and appearances on podcasts like Writing Excuses amplify marginalized voices in sci-fi and fantasy.
Her accolades—multiple Rhysling Awards for poetry, plus Hugo and Nebula wins—reflect her influence. By optioning This Is How You Lose the Time War for TV, she’s expanding speculative fiction’s reach. El-Mohtar’s legacy is one of connection, inviting readers to see the world through a lens of wonder and empathy.
About Amal El-Mohtar
- Born: December 13, 1984, Ottawa, Canada
- Key Works: This Is How You Lose the Time War, The Honey Month, The River Has Roots
- Awards: Nebula (2019), Hugo (2020), Locus (2020), Rhysling (2009, 2011, 2014)
- Fun Fact: She plays the harp and writes letters by hand!
Snag This Is How You Lose the Time War and dive into Amal El-Mohtar’s spellbinding speculative fiction today!