Naomi Novik

The Temeraire series, an alternate history of the Napoleonic Wars featuring dragons, launched a career that spans computer programming, fan-fiction advocacy, and widely recognized fantasy literature. Born in New York City in 1973, Naomi Novik has consistently explored speculative themes through a lens that bridges traditional folklore and complex, modern world-building within the English language.

Academic and Professional Origins

Before focusing on novels, Novik engaged with both computer science and literature. She completed a bachelor's degree in English literature at Brown University and subsequently earned a master's degree in computer science at Columbia University. Her technical background facilitated early professional involvement in game development, specifically through her work on Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide, before she shifted her primary focus toward writing.

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The Temeraire Sequence

Novik’s initial major literary success arrived with the Temeraire series, which reimagines the Napoleonic Wars in a world where dragons serve in aerial combat. The series began with His Majesty's Dragon in 2006, with subsequent volumes including Black Powder War, Victory of Eagles, Crucible of Gold, and Blood of Tyrants. The omnibus collection, Temeraire: In the Service of the King, received the Locus Award for Best First Novel in 2007.

Folklore and Standalone Fiction

Her standalone works frequently draw from traditional European narratives. Published in 2015, the novel Uprooted was inspired by Polish folklore and secured multiple accolades, including the Nebula Award for Best Novel and the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. She later adapted the Rumpelstiltskin tale into the 2018 novel Spinning Silver, which earned the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel and an Alex Award.

Digital Activism and Later Works

Beyond her novels, Novik served as a co-founder of the Archive of Our Own and helped organize the Organization for Transformative Works, receiving a Hugo Award for this project in 2019. Her 2020 novel A Deadly Education launched the Scholomance trilogy, which explores a school for black magic. She also maintains a presence in shorter forms, evidenced by her 2024 collection Buried Deep and Other Stories and the 2025 novella The Summer War.