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{{Short description|American writer}} {{Short description|American writer}}
{{about|the author|the diver|Samantha Mills}} {{about|the author|the diver|Samantha Mills}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{BLP sources|date=December 2024}}
{{Self-published|date=December 2024}}
}}
{{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see ] --> {{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see ] -->
| name = Samantha Mills | name = Samantha Mills
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== Early life and education == == Early life and education ==
Mills grew up in ].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Mills |first=Samantha |date= |title=Bio |url=https://samtasticbooks.com/about/bio/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=SAMANTHA MILLS |language=en}}</ref> According to Mills, she wrote her first short story, “What Hapend March Ninth!!” at seven years old after her sister threw a rock at her during a water fight. She continued reading and writing throughout her childhood. In fifth grade, Mills's teacher noticed her love of reading and encouraged her to become a professional writer.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Dumpleton |first=Elise |date=2024-04-21 |title=Q&A: Samantha Mills, Author of 'The Wings Upon Her Back' |url=https://thenerddaily.com/samantha-mills-wings-upon-her-back-interview/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=The Nerd Daily |language=en-AU}}</ref> Mills grew up in ].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Mills |first=Samantha |date= 18 August 2017|title=Bio |url=https://samtasticbooks.com/about/bio/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=SAMANTHA MILLS |language=en}}</ref> According to Mills, she wrote her first short story, “What Hapend March Ninth!!” at seven years old after her sister threw a rock at her during a water fight. She continued reading and writing throughout her childhood.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mills |first=Samantha |date=2017-01-29 |title="what hapend march ninth!!" |url=https://samtasticbooks.com/2017/01/29/what-hapend-march-ninth/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=SAMANTHA MILLS |language=en}}</ref>


Mills earned a B.A. in Pre- and Early Modern Literature from the ], and a Master's in Information and Library Science from ]. She works part-time as an archivist specializing in managing primary documents for local Southern California institutions.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":0" /> Mills earned a B.A. in Pre- and Early Modern Literature from the ], and a Master's in Information and Library Science from ].<ref name=":4" /> She works part-time as an archivist specializing in managing primary documents for local Southern California institutions.<ref name=":5" />


== Career == == Career ==


=== Short stories === === Short stories ===
Mills began submitting ] to magazines in 2017.<ref name=":0" /> She has published ] and ] short stories in various magazines and podcasts, with several of her works longlisted by ] and the ].<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Short Fiction |url=https://samtasticbooks.com/short-fiction/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=SAMANTHA MILLS |language=en}}</ref> In 2018, Mills published her first science fiction ]: "The Gestational Cycle of Flies in a Cupboard" in Lamplight Magazine.<ref name=":3" /> She has since published ] and ] short stories in various magazines and podcasts.<ref name=":5" /> By 2020, she had one work longlisted for the ], and had two stories placed on ]'s Recommended Reading list.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" />


] was published online in 2022 via '']'', Issue #49. It tells the story of Grace, and later her daughter Olivia, living in a near-future society where women's rights are limited and pregnancies are heavily monitored, with abortions made illegal. Reviewer Lis Carey described the story as powerful but dark, providing readers with a useful history of pregnancy tests and abortion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glyer |first=Mike |date=2023-09-13 |title=Lis Carey Review: Samantha Mills’ “Rabbit Test” |url=https://file770.com/lis-carey-review-samantha-mills-rabbit-test/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=File 770 |language=en-US}}</ref> Reviewer Niall Harrison described it as an "incandescent" response to ], the recent ] decision that overturned ].<ref name=":1" /> ] was published online in 2022 via '']'', Issue #49. It tells the story of Grace, and later her daughter Olivia, living in a near-future society where women's rights are limited and pregnancies are heavily monitored, with abortions made illegal. Reviewer Lis Carey described the story as powerful but dark, providing readers with a useful history of pregnancy tests and abortion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glyer |first=Mike |date=2023-09-13 |title=Lis Carey Review: Samantha Mills' "Rabbit Test" |url=https://file770.com/lis-carey-review-samantha-mills-rabbit-test/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=File 770 |language=en-US}}</ref> Reviewer Niall Harrison described it as an "incandescent" response to ], the recent ] decision that overturned ].<ref name=":1" />


==== "Rabbit Test" awards ==== ==== "Rabbit Test" awards ====
"Rabbit Test" won the ], ], ], and ] awards for Best Short Story.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Niall |date=2023-09-21 |title=The Year’s Best Is Dead, Long Live the Year’s Best: On the 2023 Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award Finalists |url=https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/the-years-best-is-dead-long-live-the-years-best-on-the-2023-theodore-sturgeon-memorial-award-finalists/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Los Angeles Review of Books}}</ref> However, in January 2024 there was a large controversy over the ], when internal documents were released showing that ] leaders had decided to censor certain authors by excluding them from the nomination process.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Sophia |date=2024-02-01 |title=Resignations, Censures Follow in Wake of Hugo Awards Controversy |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/awards-and-prizes/article/94229-resignations-censures-follow-in-wake-of-hugo-awards-controversy.html |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Publishers Weekly |language=en}}</ref> In response to these allegations, Mills wrote a blogpost titled "'Rabbit Test' unwins the Hugo," explaining the situation and stating that she couldn't truly feel she was a Hugo winner, so she was removing all references to the award from her media presence.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-18 |title=“Rabbit Test” unwins the Hugo |url=https://samtasticbooks.com/2024/02/17/rabbit-test-unwins-the-hugo/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=SAMANTHA MILLS |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> "Rabbit Test" won the ], ], ], and ] awards for Best Short Story.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Niall |date=2023-09-21 |title=The Year's Best Is Dead, Long Live the Year's Best: On the 2023 Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award Finalists |url=https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/the-years-best-is-dead-long-live-the-years-best-on-the-2023-theodore-sturgeon-memorial-award-finalists/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Los Angeles Review of Books}}</ref> However, in January 2024 there was a large controversy over the ], when internal documents were released showing that ] leaders had decided to censor certain authors by excluding them from the nomination process.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Sophia |date=2024-02-01 |title=Resignations, Censures Follow in Wake of Hugo Awards Controversy |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/awards-and-prizes/article/94229-resignations-censures-follow-in-wake-of-hugo-awards-controversy.html |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Publishers Weekly |language=en}}</ref> In response to these allegations, Mills wrote a blogpost titled "'Rabbit Test' unwins the Hugo," explaining the situation and stating that she couldn't truly feel she was a Hugo winner, so she was removing all references to the award from her media presence.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-18 |title="Rabbit Test" unwins the Hugo |url=https://samtasticbooks.com/2024/02/17/rabbit-test-unwins-the-hugo/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=SAMANTHA MILLS |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3" />


=== ''The Wings Upon Her Back'' === === ''The Wings Upon Her Back'' ===
Mills published her first novel, ''The Wings Upon Her Back'', in 2024. The science fiction tale focuses on the war-torn city of Radezhda, where five different sects serve five gods with varying occupations.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-24 |title=The Wings Upon Her Back by Samantha Mills |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781616964146 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Publishers Weekly}}</ref> The narrative alternates between two points in Winged Zemolai's life: as a youth, training to be a warrior under the powerful Winged Vodaya, and as an adult, disgraced and indecisive. The relationship between Zenya and Vodaya is a key tension throughout the book.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-18 |title=Gary K. Wolfe Reviews The Wings Upon Her Back by Samantha Mills |url=https://locusmag.com/2024/05/gary-k-wolfe-reviews-the-wings-upon-her-back-by-samantha-mills/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Locus Online |language=en-US}}</ref> One critic praised the book's consideration of the impacts of abuse and its focus on female and non-binary protagonists.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tongue |first=Zoe L. |date=2024-04-22 |title=A Tale of Abuse, Fascism, and Rebellion: Review of The Wings Upon Her Back |url=https://ancillaryreviewofbooks.org/2024/04/22/a-tale-of-abuse-fascism-and-rebellion-review-of-the-wings-upon-her-back/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Ancillary Review of Books |language=en}}</ref> Mills published her first novel, ''The Wings Upon Her Back'', in 2024. The science fiction tale focuses on the war-torn city of Radezhda, where five different sects serve five gods with varying occupations.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-24 |title=The Wings Upon Her Back by Samantha Mills |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781616964146 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Publishers Weekly}}</ref> The narrative alternates between two points in Winged Zemolai's life: as a youth, training to be a warrior under the powerful Winged Vodaya, and as an adult, disgraced and indecisive. The relationship between Zemolai and Vodaya is a key tension throughout the book.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-18 |title=Gary K. Wolfe Reviews The Wings Upon Her Back by Samantha Mills |url=https://locusmag.com/2024/05/gary-k-wolfe-reviews-the-wings-upon-her-back-by-samantha-mills/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Locus Online |language=en-US}}</ref> One critic praised the book's consideration of the impacts of abuse and its focus on female and non-binary protagonists.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tongue |first=Zoe L. |date=2024-04-22 |title=A Tale of Abuse, Fascism, and Rebellion: Review of The Wings Upon Her Back |url=https://ancillaryreviewofbooks.org/2024/04/22/a-tale-of-abuse-fascism-and-rebellion-review-of-the-wings-upon-her-back/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Ancillary Review of Books |language=en}}</ref>


Mills began planning the novel ''The Wings Upon Her Back'' in 2016. She initially planned it as an action fantasy but added themes of ] and ] into the book, inspired by the themes she saw in U.S. politics at the time. Mills revised the book repeatedly to strengthen these themes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=K |first=Kriti |date=2024-07-30 |title=Get to know the author: Samantha Mills |url=https://armedwithabook.com/samantha-mills/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Armed with A Book |language=en-US}}</ref> The book was published by ].<ref name=":2" /> Upon release, critics received the book with universal acclaim.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Giltz |first=Michael |date=2024-04-23 |title=Best New Book Releases This Week: April 23-29, 2024 |url=https://parade.com/books/best-reads/best-new-book-releases-this-week-2024-april-23-29 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Parade |language=en}}</ref> Critics praised the examination of the consequences of Zemolai's choices and the complex impacts of fascism and religious zealotry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rabe |first=Kristen |date=2024-03-01 |title=The Wings Upon Her Back |url=https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/the-wings-upon-her-back/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Foreword |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Adrian |date=2024-04-01 |title=REVIEW: The Wings Upon Her Back by Samantha Mills |url=https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-the-wings-upon-her-back-by-samantha-mills/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Grimdark Magazine |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-05 |title=THE WINGS UPON HER BACK |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/samantha-mills/the-wings-upon-her-back/ |website=Kirkus Reviews}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Samantha |first=Mills |title=The Wings Upon Her Back |url=https://www.libraryjournal.com/review/the-wings-upon-her-back-2214665 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Library Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bennet |first=Raychel |date=2024-02-15 |title=The Wings upon Her Back |url=https://www.booklistonline.com/The-Wings-upon-Her-Back-/pid=9788997 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Booklist}}</ref> Mills began writing the novel ''The Wings Upon Her Back'' in 2017. She initially planned it as an action fantasy but added themes of ] and ] into the book, inspired by the themes she saw in U.S. politics at the time. Mills revised the book repeatedly to strengthen these themes.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Chang |first=Myna |date=2024-03-29 |title=In Glorious Tones of Copper:An Interview with Samantha Mills |url=https://www.unchartedmag.com/in-glorious-tones-of-copperan-interview-with-samantha-mills/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=Uncharted |language=en-US}}</ref> The book was published by ].<ref name=":2" /> Upon release, critics received the book with universal acclaim.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Giltz |first=Michael |date=2024-04-23 |title=Best New Book Releases This Week: April 23-29, 2024 |url=https://parade.com/books/best-reads/best-new-book-releases-this-week-2024-april-23-29 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Parade |language=en}}</ref> Critics praised the examination of the consequences of Zemolai's choices and the complex impacts of fascism and religious zealotry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rabe |first=Kristen |date=2024-03-01 |title=The Wings Upon Her Back |url=https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/the-wings-upon-her-back/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Foreword |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Adrian |date=2024-04-01 |title=REVIEW: The Wings Upon Her Back by Samantha Mills |url=https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-the-wings-upon-her-back-by-samantha-mills/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Grimdark Magazine |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-05 |title=THE WINGS UPON HER BACK |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/samantha-mills/the-wings-upon-her-back/ |website=Kirkus Reviews}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Samantha |first=Mills |title=The Wings Upon Her Back |url=https://www.libraryjournal.com/review/the-wings-upon-her-back-2214665 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Library Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bennet |first=Raychel |date=2024-02-15 |title=The Wings upon Her Back |url=https://www.booklistonline.com/The-Wings-upon-Her-Back-/pid=9788997 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Booklist}}</ref>


In an April 21, 2024 interview, Mills stated that she was working on a new fantasy novel, nicknamed ''The Dread Sea Monster WIP''.<ref name=":0" /> In an May 8, 2024 interview, Mills stated that she was working on a new fantasy novel, nicknamed ''The Secret Sea Monster WIP''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Garnier |first=Jean-Paul L. |date=2024-05-08 |title=Interview with Samantha Mills |url=https://vector-bsfa.com/2024/05/08/interview-with-samantha-mills/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Vector: From the British Science Fiction Association |language=en-AU}}</ref>


== Selected works == == Selected works ==
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* "The Gestational Cycle of Flies in a Cupboard" - ''LampLight'', Volume 6 Issue 3 (March 2018)<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Mills, Samantha |url=https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/mills_samantha |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction}}</ref> * "The Gestational Cycle of Flies in a Cupboard" - ''LampLight'', Volume 6 Issue 3 (March 2018)<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Mills, Samantha |url=https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/mills_samantha |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction}}</ref>
* "Strange Waters" - '']'' (April 2, 2018) * - '']'' (April 2, 2018)
* "Adrianna in Pomegranate" - '']'', Issue #271 (February 14, 2019) * - '']'', Issue #271 (February 14, 2019)
* "One Part Per Billion" - ''Diabolical Plots'', Issue #50 (April 15, 2019) * - ''Diabolical Plots'', Issue #50 (April 15, 2019)
* "Laugh Lines" - '']'' (June 10, 2019)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-06 |title=August 2023 Reading Group – Re-Trace / Re-Wire |url=https://www.lsfrc.co.uk/reading-group/august-2023-reading-group-re-trace-re-wire/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=London Science Fiction Research Community |language=en}}</ref> * "Laugh Lines" - '']'' (June 10, 2019)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-06 |title=August 2023 Reading Group – Re-Trace / Re-Wire – London Science Fiction Research Community |url=https://www.lsfrc.co.uk/reading-group/august-2023-reading-group-re-trace-re-wire/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |language=en}}</ref>
* "Four of Seven" - ''],'' Episode #687 (July 4, 2019) * - ''],'' Episode #687 (July 4, 2019)
* "Kiki Hernández Beats the Devil" - ''Translunar Travelers Lounge'', Issue 2 (February 15, 2020) * - ''Translunar Travelers Lounge'', Issue 2 (February 15, 2020)
* "Mama Cascade" - ''Deep Magic'' (Spring 2020)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Drud |first=Jakob |date=2020-09-22 |title=Read a Few Issues – Deep Magic – Science Fiction and Fantasy Author Jakob Drud |url=https://www.jakobdrud.com/2020/09/22/read-a-few-issues-deep-magic/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |language=en-US}}</ref> * "Mama Cascade" - ''Deep Magic'' (Spring 2020)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Drud |first=Jakob |date=2020-09-22 |title=Read a Few Issues – Deep Magic – Science Fiction and Fantasy Author Jakob Drud |url=https://www.jakobdrud.com/2020/09/22/read-a-few-issues-deep-magic/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* "The Limits of Magic" - ''Apparition Literary Magazine'', Issue 11: Redepmtion (July 15, 2020) * - ''Apparition Literary Magazine'', Issue 11: Redepmtion (July 15, 2020)
* "Anchorage" - '']'', Issue 36 (Fall 2020) * - '']'', Issue 36 (Fall 2020)
* "Spindles" - ''Kaleidotrope'' (Spring 2021) * - ''Kaleidotrope'' (Spring 2021)
* ] - ], Issue 49 (2022) * ] - ], Issue 49 (2022)<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mills |first=Samantha |date=2022-11-01 |title=Rabbit Test |url=https://www.uncannymagazine.com/article/rabbit-test/ |journal=Uncanny Magazine |issue=49}}</ref>


== Awards == == Awards ==
Line 74: Line 70:
|"Strange Waters" |"Strange Waters"
|] Best Shorter Fiction (longlist) |] Best Shorter Fiction (longlist)
|<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-01-16 |title=BSFA Awards Longlist |url=https://vector-bsfa.com/2019/01/16/bsfa-awards-longlist/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Vector - From the British Science Fiction Association |language=en}}</ref> |<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-01-16 |title=BSFA Awards Longlist |url=https://vector-bsfa.com/2019/01/16/bsfa-awards-longlist/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Vector - From the British Science Fiction Association |language=en}}</ref>
|- |-
!2019 !2019
|"Adrianna in Pomegranate" |"Adrianna in Pomegranate"
|2019 Locus Recommended Reading List |2019 Locus Recommended Reading List
|<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-02-01 |title=2019 Locus Recommended Reading List |url=https://locusmag.com/2020/02/2019-locus-recommended-reading-list/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Locus Online |language=en-US}}</ref> |<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-02-01 |title=2019 Locus Recommended Reading List |url=https://locusmag.com/2020/02/2019-locus-recommended-reading-list/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Locus Online |language=en-US}}</ref>
|- |-
!2020 !2020
|"Kiki Hernández Beats the Devil" |"Kiki Hernández Beats the Devil"
|2020 Locus Recommended Reading List |2020 Locus Recommended Reading List
|<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2021-02-01 |title=2020 Locus Recommended Reading List |url=https://locusmag.com/2021/02/2020-locus-recommended-reading-list/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Locus Online |language=en-US}}</ref> |<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last= |date=2021-02-01 |title=2020 Locus Recommended Reading List |url=https://locusmag.com/2021/02/2020-locus-recommended-reading-list/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Locus Online |language=en-US}}</ref>
|- |-
! rowspan="5" |2022 ! rowspan="5" |2022
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⚫ {{Hugo Award Best Short Story}}
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Latest revision as of 01:48, 18 January 2025

American writer This article is about the author. For the diver, see Samantha Mills.
Samantha Mills
BornCalifornia, U.S.
Occupation
  • Novelist
  • short story writer
  • archivist
Alma materUniversity of California, Santa Cruz
San Jose State University
GenreScience fiction, fantasy
Notable awardsLocus - Short Story (2023)
Theodore Sturgeon (2023)
Hugo - Short Story (2023)
Nebula - Short Story (2023)
Website
samtasticbooks.com

Samantha Mills is an American author and archivist. She received numerous awards for her short story "Rabbit Test," praise for her debut novel, and her other short stories have been longlisted for several science fiction and fantasy awards.

Early life and education

Mills grew up in Southern California. According to Mills, she wrote her first short story, “What Hapend March Ninth!!” at seven years old after her sister threw a rock at her during a water fight. She continued reading and writing throughout her childhood.

Mills earned a B.A. in Pre- and Early Modern Literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a Master's in Information and Library Science from San Jose State University. She works part-time as an archivist specializing in managing primary documents for local Southern California institutions.

Career

Short stories

In 2018, Mills published her first science fiction short story: "The Gestational Cycle of Flies in a Cupboard" in Lamplight Magazine. She has since published science fiction and fantasy short stories in various magazines and podcasts. By 2020, she had one work longlisted for the BSFA Best Shorter Fiction Award, and had two stories placed on Locus's Recommended Reading list.

"Rabbit Test" was published online in 2022 via Uncanny Magazine, Issue #49. It tells the story of Grace, and later her daughter Olivia, living in a near-future society where women's rights are limited and pregnancies are heavily monitored, with abortions made illegal. Reviewer Lis Carey described the story as powerful but dark, providing readers with a useful history of pregnancy tests and abortion. Reviewer Niall Harrison described it as an "incandescent" response to Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.

"Rabbit Test" awards

"Rabbit Test" won the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and Theodore Sturgeon awards for Best Short Story. However, in January 2024 there was a large controversy over the 2023 Hugo Award nomination process, when internal documents were released showing that Worldcon leaders had decided to censor certain authors by excluding them from the nomination process. In response to these allegations, Mills wrote a blogpost titled "'Rabbit Test' unwins the Hugo," explaining the situation and stating that she couldn't truly feel she was a Hugo winner, so she was removing all references to the award from her media presence.

The Wings Upon Her Back

Mills published her first novel, The Wings Upon Her Back, in 2024. The science fiction tale focuses on the war-torn city of Radezhda, where five different sects serve five gods with varying occupations. The narrative alternates between two points in Winged Zemolai's life: as a youth, training to be a warrior under the powerful Winged Vodaya, and as an adult, disgraced and indecisive. The relationship between Zemolai and Vodaya is a key tension throughout the book. One critic praised the book's consideration of the impacts of abuse and its focus on female and non-binary protagonists.

Mills began writing the novel The Wings Upon Her Back in 2017. She initially planned it as an action fantasy but added themes of fascism and strongmen politics into the book, inspired by the themes she saw in U.S. politics at the time. Mills revised the book repeatedly to strengthen these themes. The book was published by Tachyon Publications. Upon release, critics received the book with universal acclaim. Critics praised the examination of the consequences of Zemolai's choices and the complex impacts of fascism and religious zealotry.

In an May 8, 2024 interview, Mills stated that she was working on a new fantasy novel, nicknamed The Secret Sea Monster WIP.

Selected works

Novels

  • The Wings Upon Her Back (2024)

Short stories

Awards

Year Work (if applicable) Award or Nomination Ref
2018 "Strange Waters" BSFA Best Shorter Fiction (longlist)
2019 "Adrianna in Pomegranate" 2019 Locus Recommended Reading List
2020 "Kiki Hernández Beats the Devil" 2020 Locus Recommended Reading List
2022 "Rabbit Test" Nebula Award for Best Short Story
Locus Award for Best Short Story
Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award
Hugo Award for Best Short Story (see note above)
BSFA Best Shorter Fiction (longlist)

References

  1. ^ Mills, Samantha (18 August 2017). "Bio". SAMANTHA MILLS. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  2. Mills, Samantha (2017-01-29). ""what hapend march ninth!!"". SAMANTHA MILLS. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
  3. ^ Chang, Myna (2024-03-29). "In Glorious Tones of Copper:An Interview with Samantha Mills". Uncharted. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
  4. ^ "Mills, Samantha". The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  5. ^ "BSFA Awards Longlist". Vector - From the British Science Fiction Association. 2019-01-16. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  6. ^ "2019 Locus Recommended Reading List". Locus Online. 2020-02-01. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  7. ^ "2020 Locus Recommended Reading List". Locus Online. 2021-02-01. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  8. Glyer, Mike (2023-09-13). "Lis Carey Review: Samantha Mills' "Rabbit Test"". File 770. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  9. ^ Harrison, Niall (2023-09-21). "The Year's Best Is Dead, Long Live the Year's Best: On the 2023 Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award Finalists". Los Angeles Review of Books. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  10. Stewart, Sophia (2024-02-01). "Resignations, Censures Follow in Wake of Hugo Awards Controversy". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  11. ""Rabbit Test" unwins the Hugo". SAMANTHA MILLS. 2024-02-18. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  12. ^ "The Wings Upon Her Back by Samantha Mills". Publishers Weekly. 2024-01-24. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  13. "Gary K. Wolfe Reviews The Wings Upon Her Back by Samantha Mills". Locus Online. 2024-05-18. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  14. Tongue, Zoe L. (2024-04-22). "A Tale of Abuse, Fascism, and Rebellion: Review of The Wings Upon Her Back". Ancillary Review of Books. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  15. Giltz, Michael (2024-04-23). "Best New Book Releases This Week: April 23-29, 2024". Parade. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  16. Rabe, Kristen (2024-03-01). "The Wings Upon Her Back". Foreword. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  17. Collins, Adrian (2024-04-01). "REVIEW: The Wings Upon Her Back by Samantha Mills". Grimdark Magazine. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  18. "THE WINGS UPON HER BACK". Kirkus Reviews. 2024-04-05.
  19. Samantha, Mills. "The Wings Upon Her Back". Library Journal. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  20. Bennet, Raychel (2024-02-15). "The Wings upon Her Back". Booklist. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  21. Garnier, Jean-Paul L. (2024-05-08). "Interview with Samantha Mills". Vector: From the British Science Fiction Association. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  22. "August 2023 Reading Group – Re-Trace / Re-Wire – London Science Fiction Research Community". 2023-08-06. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  23. Drud, Jakob (2020-09-22). "Read a Few Issues – Deep Magic – Science Fiction and Fantasy Author Jakob Drud". Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  24. Mills, Samantha (2022-11-01). "Rabbit Test". Uncanny Magazine (49).
  25. "SFWA Announces the Winners of the 58th Annual Nebula Awards". The Nebula Awards®. 2023-05-15. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  26. "2023 Locus Awards Winners". Locus Online. 2023-06-25. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  27. "Mills Wins Sturgeon". Locus Online. 2023-08-25. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  28. "2023 Hugo Awards". The Hugo Award. 2023-07-06. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  29. "THE BRITISH SCIENCE FICTION ASSOCIATION AWARDS". BSFA - British Science Fiction Association. Archived from the original on 2023-11-01. Retrieved 2024-12-29.

External links

Hugo Award for Best Short Story
Retro Hugos
1955–1960
1961–1980
1981–2000
2001–2020
2021–present
Locus Award for Best Short Story
1971–1980
1981–2000
2001–present
Nebula Award for Best Short Story
1966–1980
1981–2000
2001–2020
2021–present
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