Tananarive Due is an accomplished African-American author, educator, and screenwriter known for her contributions to the genres of horror, science fiction, and fantasy. She was born on January 5, 1966, in Tallahassee, Florida. Due’s writing often explores themes of race, identity, and the supernatural, blending elements of horror and speculative fiction with social commentary. Her works are known for their thought-provoking narratives and strong characterization.
She graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and later earned a Master of Fine Arts in screenwriting from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Due’s literary career gained prominence with the release of her debut novel, “The Between” (1995), a supernatural thriller that received critical acclaim. She continued to garner attention with subsequent novels, including “My Soul to Keep” (1997) and its sequels, which delved into themes of immortality and African mythology. The African Immortals series, starting with “My Soul to Keep,” helped establish Due as a leading voice in black speculative fiction.
In addition to her novels, Due has written several short stories and contributed to various anthologies. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including the American Book Award and the NAACP Image Award. Due is also known for her collaboration with her husband, Steven Barnes, a science fiction author and screenwriter. Together, they have co-authored several novels, combining their unique storytelling styles to create compelling narratives. Apart from her literary achievements, Tananarive Due has been involved in academia, serving as a faculty member in the Creative Writing MFA program at Antioch University Los Angeles.
Due’s work has had a significant impact on the representation of African-American voices within speculative fiction and horror genres. Her thought-provoking storytelling and exploration of social issues have earned her a dedicated readership and a place of prominence in contemporary black literature.