Picture a Canadian storyteller who weaves science fiction with a scientist’s precision and an Indo-Guyanese heart—meet Premee Mohamed! Based in Edmonton, Alberta, this Nebula and Aurora award-winning author crafts speculative fiction that blends cosmic horror, alternate histories, and themes of identity and colonialism. Her unique voice has made her a rising star, captivating readers with stories that challenge expectations.
From her debut novel to her haunting novellas, Mohamed’s work invites us into richly imagined worlds where science and culture collide. Ready to explore her journey and why her stories are unmissable? Let’s dive in!
The Making of Premee Mohamed
Premee Mohamed’s story begins in Canada, born to Indo-Guyanese parents whose heritage traces back to Indian indentured laborers in Guyana. With degrees in molecular genetics and environmental science, she brings a scientist’s curiosity to her writing. Initially a hobbyist, Mohamed wrote for herself, penning nearly a dozen novels before submitting her work. Her publishing journey began in 2015 with a short story accepted into an anthology, sparking her leap into speculative fiction.
Today, she balances her role as a policy specialist with Alberta Environment and Parks with her creative pursuits, including her work as an Assistant Editor at Escape Pod, a science fiction audio venue. Her dual identity as scientist and storyteller shapes her distinctive narratives, grounded in logic yet soaring with imagination.
Premee Mohamed’s Unforgettable Stories
Mohamed’s bibliography is a treasure trove of speculative fiction. Her debut novel, Beneath the Rising (2020), kicks off a trilogy blending cosmic horror with a thrilling tale of two friends facing ancient, primal forces. It earned nominations for the Crawford, Aurora, British Fantasy, and Locus Awards, showcasing her ability to craft high-stakes narratives.
The Apple-Tree Throne (2018), a standalone novella, offers a steampunk-inspired alternate England, where bioengineered plants power streetlights. Its introspective hero, Lieutenant Benjamin Braddock, navigates a post-war world, reflecting Mohamed’s knack for blending technology with human emotion. The Annual Migration of Clouds (2021), a post-apocalyptic hopepunk novella, won the 2022 Aurora Award. Set in a climate-ravaged Alberta, it explores community and survival through a young woman’s journey with a mysterious parasite. Her latest, The Butcher of the Forest (2024), dives into a cursed forest with a fearless protagonist, earning praise for its inventive magic.
Mohamed’s style is vivid and layered, weaving scientific precision with cultural depth. Her themes—colonialism, identity, and humanity’s relationship with technology—resonate across genres, from horror to hopepunk, making her work both thrilling and thought-provoking.
Why Premee Mohamed Matters
Premee Mohamed’s impact lies in her ability to expand speculative fiction’s boundaries. Her Indo-Caribbean perspective enriches the genre, offering fresh narratives that challenge Eurocentric norms. By blending her scientific expertise with cultural storytelling, she creates worlds that feel both fantastical and grounded, inviting readers to question power, legacy, and resilience.
Her accolades, including the Nebula for And What Can We Offer You Tonight (2021), and her role as the 2024 Edmonton Public Library Writer-in-Residence, highlight her growing influence. Mohamed’s work inspires new voices in speculative fiction, proving that diverse perspectives can redefine a genre.
- Key Works: Beneath the Rising, The Apple-Tree Throne, The Annual Migration of Clouds, The Butcher of the Forest
- Awards: Nebula (2021), Aurora (2022), World Fantasy
- Fun Fact: She wrote her first “book” at age eight using her dad’s drafting supplies!
Snag Beneath the Rising or The Annual Migration of Clouds and dive into Premee Mohamed’s thrilling speculative worlds today!