# Naomi Novik

> American writer

**Wikidata**: [Q242643](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q242643)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naomi_Novik)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/naomi-novik

## Summary
Naomi Novik is an American author renowned for her work in the fantasy and science fiction genres. She is best known as the creator of the *Temeraire* series, an alternate history cycle set during the Napoleonic Wars, and for her award-winning standalone novels *Uprooted* and *Spinning Silver*.

## Biography
*   **Born:** April 30, 1973 in New York City, USA
*   **Nationality:** United States
*   **Education:** Brown University, Columbia University
*   **Occupation:** Novelist, Writer, Programmer, Software Engineer
*   **Genre:** Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Science Fiction, Alternate History
*   **Residence:** New York City
*   **Spouse:** Richard Aleas

## Contributions
Naomi Novik’s bibliography is defined by the *Temeraire* series, a nine-book historical fantasy saga that reimagines the Napoleonic Wars with dragons used as an aerial corps. The first installment, *His Majesty's Dragon* (2006), was a critical success, winning the Compton Crook Award and the Locus Award for Best First Novel in 2007. The series was also nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Series in 2017.

In addition to her series work, Novik has published acclaimed standalone novels. *Uprooted* (2015) won the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 2016 and the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel, and was nominated for a Hugo Award. Her 2018 novel, *Spinning Silver*, also won the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel and received Hugo and World Fantasy Award nominations. Novik is also the author of *The Scholomance* series, which was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Series in 2023.

Her career began with a background in computer science, having worked as a programmer and software engineer. This technical background contributed to her involvement in the development of software and digital archives, most notably as a founder of the Organization for Transformative Works (OTW), a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving fan culture and history.

## FAQs

### Q: What is Naomi Novik's most famous book?
A: Naomi Novik is best known for the *Temeraire* series, which begins with *His Majesty's Dragon*. Among her standalone works, *Uprooted* is highly celebrated for winning the Nebula Award.

### Q: What awards has Naomi Novik won?
A: Novik has won the Nebula Award for Best Novel (*Uprooted*, 2016), multiple Locus Awards (Best First Novel in 2007; Best Fantasy Novel in 2016 and 2019), and the Compton Crook Award (*His Majesty's Dragon*).

### Q: Did Naomi Novik work in technology before writing?
A: Yes, before becoming a full-time novelist, Naomi Novik worked as a programmer and software engineer. She was also instrumental in founding the Organization for Transformative Works.

### Q: Are Naomi Novik's books connected?
A: The *Temeraire* books form a continuous series. Her novels *Uprooted* and *Spinning Silver* are standalone stories, while *A Deadly Education* and its sequels form *The Scholomance* trilogy.

## Why They Matter
Naomi Novik has significantly influenced the landscape of modern fantasy by successfully blending genres. Her *Temeraire* series revitalized the "historical fantasy" subgenre, demonstrating that history and fantasy could be woven together with literary merit and popular appeal. The series' success, culminating in a Hugo nomination for Best Series, helped pave the way for other genre-bending works.

Her standalone novels, *Uprooted* and *Spinning Silver*, are culturally significant for their meticulous use of Eastern European folklore and fairy tale structures. By winning the Nebula and Locus Awards, these works highlighted a market demand for folkloric fantasy distinct from traditional high fantasy tropes.

Beyond her fiction, Novik’s legacy includes her impact on digital culture. Her work in founding the Organization for Transformative Works provided a legal and organizational framework for fan-created content, permanently altering the relationship between media consumers and intellectual property holders.

## Notable For
*   **The *Temeraire* Series:** A landmark alternate history series merging the Napoleonic Wars with dragons.
*   **Nebula Award Winner:** Won the 2016 Nebula Award for Best Novel for *Uprooted*.
*   **Digital Preservation:** Founded the Organization for Transformative Works to archive and defend fan labor.
*   **Award Recognition:** Recipient of the Locus Award for Best First Novel (*His Majesty's Dragon*) and Best Fantasy Novel (*Uprooted*, *Spinning Silver*).
*   **Multiple Hugo Nominations:** Nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novel (*His Majesty's Dragon*, *Uprooted*, *Spinning Silver*) and Best Series (*Temeraire*, *The Scholomance*).

## Body

### Early Career and Technology
Before achieving literary fame, Naomi Novik worked as a programmer and software engineer. She was involved in the development of the computer game *Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide*. Her technical background and interest in community building led her to co-found the Organization for Transformative Works (OTW) in 2007, a non-profit organization established to provide access to and preserve the history of fanworks and culture.

### The Temeraire Series
Novik’s debut into fiction came in 2006 with the publication of *His Majesty's Dragon*, the first book in the *Temeraire* series. The novel was an immediate success, earning her the Compton Crook Award and the Locus Award for Best First Novel in 2007. It was also nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novel.

The series, which spans nine volumes, explores an alternate 19th-century history where dragons are used for aerial combat during the Napoleonic Wars. Notable titles in the series include *Throne of Jade*, *Black Powder War*, *Victory of Eagles*, *Crucible of Gold*, and *Blood of Tyrants*. The series as a whole was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Series in 2017.

### Standalone Novels and The Scholomance
In 2015, Novik published *Uprooted*, a standalone fantasy novel inspired by Polish folklore. The book was a critical triumph, winning the Nebula Award for Best Novel and the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel, and was nominated for the World Fantasy Award and the Hugo Award.

She followed this success with *Spinning Silver* in 2018, a retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin fairytale. Like its predecessor, it won the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel and was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novel and the World Fantasy Award.

More recently, Novik authored *The Scholomance* trilogy, a dark academic fantasy series. The trilogy was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Series in 2023.

### Awards and Honors
Naomi Novik has received numerous accolades throughout her career:
*   **2007:** Won the Compton Crook Award (*His Majesty's Dragon*).
*   **2007:** Won the Locus Award for Best First Novel (*His Majesty's Dragon*).
*   **2007:** Won the Astounding Award for Best New Writer (then called the John W. Campbell Award).
*   **2016:** Won the Nebula Award for Best Novel (*Uprooted*).
*   **2016:** Won the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel (*Uprooted*).
*   **2016:** Won the Robert Holdstock Award for Best Fantasy Novel (*Uprooted*).
*   **2019:** Won the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel (*Spinning Silver*).
*   **2020:** Won the Geffen Award.

She has also been nominated for the Mythopoeic Award and the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel for *A Deadly Education* (2021) and *The Last Graduate* (2022).

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
3. BnF authorities
4. [Source](https://www.noosfere.org/livres/auteur.asp?numauteur=-38801&Niveau=bio)
5. Babelio
6. [Internet Book Database of Fiction](http://www.ibdof.com/author_details.php?author=4185)
7. Library of Congress Authorities
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. Czech National Authority Database
10. Vegetti Catalog of Fantastic Literature
11. CONOR.SI
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13. datos.bne.es
14. IMDb
15. His Majesty's Dragon
16. [Source](https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_2007)
17. [Source](https://nebulas.sfwa.org/award-year/2015/)
18. [Source](https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_2016)
19. [Source](https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/award_category_year.cgi?423+2016)
20. [Source](https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/award_category_year.cgi?423+2019)
21. International Standard Name Identifier
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28. [Source](https://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2007-hugo-awards/)
29. [Source](https://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2016-hugo-awards/)
30. [Source](https://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2019-hugo-awards/)
31. [Source](https://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2017-hugo-awards/)
32. [Source](https://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2023-hugo-awards/)
33. [Source](https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_2021)
34. [Source](https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_2022)
35. [Source](https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_2023)
36. [Source](https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_2011)
37. [Source](https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_2017)
38. [Source](https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_2019)
39. [Source](https://gpi.noosfere.org/gpi-2021/)
40. [Source](https://nebulas.sfwa.org/award-year/2018/)
41. [Source](https://www.sfadb.com/British_Fantasy_Awards_2016)
42. [Source](https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_2025)
43. Google Knowledge Graph
44. [Naomi Novik](https://mstdn.party/@naominovik)