Historical Fantasy, Alternate History
Nebula, Locus, and British Fantasy Award-winning author born in New York, raised in Houston, with Trinidad and Tobago heritage. Assistant professor of history at University of Connecticut, using pen name to differentiate literary from academic work. 'Djèlí' references West African griots (storytellers). Author of acclaimed 'Ring Shout' (2021 Nebula winner) and 'A Master of Djinn' (2022 Nebula and Locus winner). Creates alternate-history worlds blending African diaspora culture with speculative elements, particularly exploring themes of liberation, resistance, and cultural preservation.