Nadia Afifi is the author of A Rebel's History of Mars, The Sentient and its sequels, and numerous science fiction short stories. Her debut novel, The Sentient, was lauded as "staggering and un-put-downable" in a starred Publisher's Weekly review. Analog Magazine describes her as "a brand-new voice in our field, and one you should become familiar with." The Sentient is the first novel in a near-future series about a controversial cloning project, human consciousness and a high-stakes conflict between religious fundamentalism and science. Her short fiction has appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction ("The Bahrain Underground Bazaar") and Clarkesworld ("The Lonely Time Traveler of Kentish Town", "A Thousand Tiny Gods.")

Nadia grew up in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, where she read every book she could get her hands on, but currently calls Denver, Colorado home. She is a member of the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer's organization. Her background as an Arab American who lived overseas has inspired her fiction writing, particularly her passion for exploring complex social, political and cultural issues through a futuristic lens.

When she isn't writing, she spends her time practicing (and falling off) the lyra (aerial hoops), hiking through Colorado's many trails, jogging through Denver's streets and working on the most challenging jigsaw puzzles she can find. She also loves dogs, travel and cooking. Follow her latest musings and adventures on her Web site (www.nadiaafifi.com), Twitter (@nadoodles) or Facebook (nadiawritesscifi).