I’m K. Tempest Bradford, a Black, queer, cis woman (pronouns: she/her), author, teacher, media critic, podcaster, and community organizer who writes fantasy and science fiction steeped in Black Girl Magic. I’m currently hunkered down in the Pacific Northwest doing my best to change the culture for the better from my corner of the world.

If you’re looking for my official bios, you’ll find them along with images of me and other Important Stuff in my Press Kit. The bio below is my fun bio.

I write speculative fiction. That’s a fancy way of saying I write fantasy, science fiction, steampunk, and occasionally stuff that slides between genres. I write about Black girls and women who are magical and brilliant and filled with Black joy.

My debut middle grade novel, Ruby Finley vs. the Interstellar Invasion, is all about a genius Black girl who loves science. I’m currently working on a steampunk novel set in a matriarchal ancient Egypt.

My short stories have been published in magazines such as Strange Horizons and Electric Velocipede and anthologies such as Sunspot Jungle and In The Shadow of the Towers, plus many more. See the full list in my Bibliography.

I also write non-fiction — you can find my articles, essays, reviews, and media criticism on NPR, io9, Tor.com, and in print collections. See the full list in my other Bibliography.

I’m currently represented by Larissa Melo Pienkowski at Jill Grinberg Literary Management.

I teach creative writing classes. My main gig is teaching classes on creating inclusive, diverse fiction through Writing the Other.com. I’ve taught for the Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers, LitReactor, given writing seminars at the Willamette Writers Conference and the Writing Excuses Conference and Retreat, and taught short story workshops through The Brainery.

Check out the list of current and recent classes.

I’m a podcaster. Right now I co-host ORIGINALity wherein we explore the roots of creative genius. I was a host on the JEMcast and The Write Gear on Hologram Radio.

I’m an active member of the SFF fandom and writing communities. I served on the 2008 James Tiptree Jr. Award jury. I’ve put together and run fundraising projects for several non-profits, including Clarion West (which I attended in 2003) and the Interstitial Arts Foundation. I’m currently on the board of the Carl Brandon Society.

I’ve conceived, organized, moderated, and participated in dozens of panels at conventions including WisCon, ReaderCon, Sirens, the International Conference for the Fantastic in the Arts, GeekGirlCon, WorldCon, Flights of Foundry, and New York Comic Con. I’ve given presentations, led seminars, and taught classes for Sarah Lawrence College, the Barnard Center for Research on Women’s Scholar & Feminist Conference, New College of Florida, local Romance Writers of America chapters, and BlogHer.

I’m an unapologetic activist for social justice because I want my community to be safe and fun for all my nerdy friends, no matter what their identity or background.

I have a vast collection of geeky t-shirts featuring my favorite characters from Jem & the Holograms, Star Trek, My Little Pony, X-Men, Avengers, Doctor Who, and all my other favorite fandoms.

In addition to my blog you can follow my adventures on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.