Science Meets Storytelling: Three Writers Win Big for Blending Worlds

The National Book Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation have awarded $10,000 each to three writers for their exceptional ability to intertwine science and storytelling. These awards honor books that make scientific concepts as thrilling as a captivating narrative.

The Winners

• Kimberly Blaeser
• Book: Ancient Light
• Genre: Poetry

• Inspiration: Environmental damage affecting Indigenous communities

• Anna North
• Book: Bog Queen
• Genre: Novel

• Plot: Follows a forensic anthropologist and a 2000-year-old Celtic druid

• Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian
• Book: Forest Euphoria: The Abounding Queerness of Nature
• Genre: Nonfiction
• Focus: Explores the natural world in a fresh and innovative way

Praise from the Judges

• Doron Weber, Vice President at the Sloan Foundation, commended the winners for their ability to blend science and poetry, stating that their work helps us understand nature and ourselves better.
• Ruth Dickey, Executive Director of the National Book Foundation, noted that these books challenge and engage readers everywhere.

About the Organizations

• National Book Foundation: Known for the prestigious National Book Awards.
• Sloan Foundation: Supports books that combine science and the humanities. A notable example is American Prometheus, which won a Pulitzer Prize and was adapted into the movie Oppenheimer.

Importance of the Awards

Daisy Hernández, chair of the awards committee, emphasized the significance of these books, especially in today's climate where science is often misunderstood or attacked. She highlighted how literature and science can collaborate to create something extraordinary.