Tlotlo Tsamaase
Tlotlo Pearl Tsamaase (pronounced « toe-toe SA-mah-AY-say ») is a speculative fiction author, born in Botswana. An award-winning author and Caine Prize finalist, she is a laureate of a Rolex Mentorship Fellowship. Her work explores themes of the body, memory, ancestral ghosts, and colonial legacies through poetic and visionary prose.
Holding a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Botswana, followed by an MFA in Creative Writing from Chapman University, she is currently preparing a doctorate in English (Creative Writing) at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Her fiction has appeared in Clarkesworld, Strange Horizons, The Dark Magazine, Apex Magazine, Terraform, Africa Risen, New Suns 2, Chiral Mad 5, and other publications. Her short story « Behind Our Irises » (2020) won the Nommo Award for Best Short Story. Her poem « I Will Be Your Grave » (2016) was a finalist for the Rhysling Award.
Her first two novels, The Silence of the Wilting Skin (2021) and Womb City (2024), each received major nominations. Her second novel, House of Margins, and her first YA fantasy, The Bloodwinds (Knopf), are forthcoming.
Major Works
| Year | Original Title (EN) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Womb City | Novel — Erewhon Books |
| 2026 | House of Margins | Novel — Erewhon Books (forthcoming) |
| 2020 | The Silence of the Wilting Skin | Novella — Pink Narcissus Press |
Selected Short Stories (Excerpts)
- « Behind Our Irises » (Africanfuturism Anthology, 2020) — Nommo Award
- « Eclipse Our Sins » (Clarkesworld, 2020)
- « The River of Night » (The Dark Magazine, 2020)
- « Who Will Clean Our Spirits When We’re Gone? » (The Dark Magazine, 2019)
- « Murders Fell from Our Wombs » (Apex Magazine, 2018)
- « Peeling Time (Deluxe Edition) » (Africa Risen, 2022) — Caine Prize
- « Virtual Snapshots » (Terraform, 2016)