Sofia Samatar is an American author known for her contributions to the genres of fantasy and speculative fiction. She gained recognition for her debut novel, A Stranger in Olondria, which won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer and was nominated for the World Fantasy Award. Her writing often explores themes of identity, culture, and the power of storytelling. In addition to her novels, Samatar has published short stories and essays in various literary magazines. She is also an accomplished academic, holding a Ph.D. in English and teaching at the University of Alabama. Her work has been praised for its lyrical prose and rich world-building.