Picture an American storyteller who turned the swamps of Louisiana into a playground for feral hippos—meet Sarah Gailey! This Oakland-born author has carved a unique niche in speculative fiction, blending alternate history, dark humor, and inclusive storytelling. With their breakout novella River of Teeth, Gailey reimagines a world where hippos roam the Mississippi, captivating readers with their bold creativity.
Known for their vibrant prose and diverse characters, Gailey’s work spans novellas, novels, and comics, earning them Hugo and Nebula nominations. Their stories aren’t just entertaining—they challenge norms and celebrate marginalized voices, making Gailey a rising star in fantasy and science fiction.
The Making of Sarah Gailey
Born in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sarah Gailey grew up surrounded by the eclectic energy of Oakland, California. While details of their early life remain private, their love for storytelling emerged early, fueled by a passion for speculative fiction. Gailey, who is non-binary, began writing professionally with short stories published in outlets like Fireside Fiction and Tor.com. Their non-fiction essays, tackling topics from pop culture to social issues, showcased a sharp wit that would define their fiction.
Gailey’s career took off with their 2017 debut, River of Teeth, a novella inspired by a quirky historical footnote: a 1910 proposal to import hippos to America. This bold idea, combined with their knack for crafting diverse, queer-inclusive casts, set the stage for a prolific career. Today, Gailey lives in Los Angeles, continuing to write stories that push boundaries.
Sarah Gailey’s Unforgettable Stories
Gailey’s work is a thrilling mix of speculative fiction, alternate history, and mystery, often laced with humor and heart. Their American Hippo duology—River of Teeth (2017) and Taste of Marrow (2017)—is a standout, reimagining a 19th-century America where hippo ranchers replace cowboys. The novellas follow Winslow Houndstooth and his diverse crew as they navigate feral hippos and personal vendettas, earning praise for their vivid world-building and inclusive representation.
Beyond the hippo-filled bayous, Gailey’s novels like Magic for Liars (2019) explore magical murder mysteries, while The Echo Wife (2021) delves into cloning and betrayal with chilling precision. Their comics, including Eat the Rich (2021) and Know Your Station (2022–2023), showcase their versatility, tackling social satire and sci-fi. Gailey’s style is marked by emotional depth, queer and non-binary characters, and a refusal to shy away from complex themes like identity and power.
Gailey’s short stories, published in The Atlantic and Vice, further highlight their range, often blending speculative elements with sharp social commentary. Their ability to craft worlds that feel both fantastical and grounded has made their work a favorite among fans of genre fiction.
Why Sarah Gailey Matters
Sarah Gailey’s impact on speculative fiction lies in their ability to weave inclusive narratives that resonate with diverse readers. By centering queer, non-binary, and POC characters, they challenge the genre’s traditional boundaries, creating stories where everyone can see themselves. Their alternate histories, like the American Hippo series, blend historical curiosity with modern sensibilities, offering fresh perspectives on the past.
Gailey’s Hugo and Nebula nominations, along with their Hugo Award for Best Fan Writer, underscore their influence. Their work inspires new voices in speculative fiction, proving that genre storytelling can be both wildly imaginative and deeply human. As they continue to explore new formats and themes, Gailey’s legacy as a trailblazer grows stronger.
- Born: San Francisco Bay Area, California
- Key Works: River of Teeth, Magic for Liars, The Echo Wife
- Awards: Hugo Award for Best Fan Writer, Nebula and Hugo finalist for River of Teeth
Ready to dive into a world of hippo wranglers and magical mysteries? Grab River of Teeth or The Echo Wife and discover Sarah Gailey’s unforgettable speculative fiction!