Picture an African-American storyteller who spins vibrant tales from futuristic South Africa to the guts of moon-sized space beasts—meet Nicky Drayden! This genre-defying author blends science fiction, fantasy, and horror with a playful, 'weird' twist, crafting stories that dazzle and challenge. By day, she’s a systems analyst buried in code, but her imagination roams wild, creating worlds that linger long after the last page.
The Making of Nicky Drayden
Born and raised in the United States, Nicky Drayden calls Austin, Texas, home—a city where 'weird' is practically a requirement. Her travels to South Africa as a college student, part of an environmental protection program, sparked a fascination with African landscapes and cultures that would shape her writing. A systems analyst by trade, Drayden honed her craft through NaNoWriMo, banging out rough drafts alongside thousands of aspiring novelists. Her persistence paid off, landing her a literary agent and a knack for weaving intricate narratives.
Nicky Drayden’s Unforgettable Stories
Drayden’s debut, The Prey of Gods (2017), is a thrilling mashup set in a futuristic South Africa. Here, demigods, robots, and a hallucinogenic drug called Godsend collide in a tale of supernatural chaos. Critics, including The New York Times, praised its bold worldbuilding and diverse cast. Her sophomore novel, Temper (2018), dives into Afrofuturism, following twin brothers grappling with virtues and vices in a society that brands them at birth. Escaping Exodus (2019) and its sequel, Symbiosis (2021), take readers inside a matriarchal society living within a sentient space beast, tackling themes of environmental justice and gender norms. Drayden’s style—vivid, chaotic, and genre-blurring—draws comparisons to Lauren Beukes and Nnedi Okorafor, yet her voice is unmistakably her own.
Beyond novels, Drayden’s short fiction, published in outlets like Shimmer and Space and Time, delivers bite-sized doses of her signature weirdness. She’s also ventured into gaming, writing for Magic: The Gathering and penning The Hero of Numbani, a young adult novel for Overwatch. Her ability to juggle humor, horror, and heart keeps readers hooked across formats.
Why Nicky Drayden Matters
Nicky Drayden’s work pushes speculative fiction forward by centering African-inspired settings and queer, complex characters. Her stories tackle big questions—climate, class, identity—while never losing their playful edge. Awards like the Compton Crook and RT Reviewers Choice affirm her impact, but it’s her ability to make readers feel the pulse of her worlds that truly resonates. In a genre often dominated by predictable tropes, Drayden’s fearless creativity is a breath of fresh air.
- Born: United States
- Key Works: The Prey of Gods, Temper, Escaping Exodus, Symbiosis
- Awards: Compton Crook Award (2018), RT Reviewers Choice Award
- Fun Fact: She wrote her first novels during NaNoWriMo!
Ready to dive into a world where gods, robots, and space beasts reign? Snag The Prey of Gods and let Nicky Drayden’s wild imagination sweep you away!