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{{Short description|American writer}}
'''G. Willow Wilson''' (born August 31, 1982) is an American comics writer, essayist and former journalist. After converting to Islam in college, Wilson moved to Cairo, where she contributed articles to the ''[[Atlantic Monthly]]'', ''[[The New York Times Magazine]]'' and the ''[[Canada National Post]]''.<ref>[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=121357]</ref> She was also a regular contributor to the now-defunct Egyptian opposition weekly ''Cairo Magazine''. Wilson was the first western journalist to be granted a private interview with Sheikh [[Ali Gomaa]] after his promotion to the position of Grand Mufti of Egypt.<ref>[http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200507/wilson]</ref> Her first graphic novel, ''[[Cairo (graphic novel)|Cairo]]'', with art by [[M.K. Perker]], was released by Vertigo Comics in 2007. She has also written for the DC comics series [[Outsiders (comics)| The Outsiders]]. <br />
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox comics creator
| image = G Willow Wilson cropped.jpg
| caption = Wilson in 2019
| birth_name = Gwendolyn Willow Wilson
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1982|08|31}}
| birth_place = [[New Jersey]], U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality = American
| writer = y
| artist = y
| spouse = Omar
| children = 2
| notable works = ''[[Cairo (comics)|Cairo]]'', ''[[Air (comics)|Air]]'', ''[[Alif the Unseen]]'', ''[[Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan)|Ms. Marvel]]''
| awards =Hugo Award, World Fantasy Award
| website = {{url|gwillowwilson.com}}
}}
'''Gwendolyn Willow Wilson''' (born August 31, 1982) is an American comics writer, prose author, and essayist. Her best-known prose works include the novels ''[[Alif the Unseen]]'' (2012) and ''[[The Bird King]]'' (2019). She is best known for relaunching the ''[[Ms. Marvel]]'' title for Marvel Comics starring a 16-year-old Muslim superhero named [[Kamala Khan]]. Her work is most often categorized as [[magical realism]].


== Early life ==
Wilson was born on August 31, 1982, in [[Monmouth County, New Jersey|Monmouth County]], [[New Jersey]], and grew up in [[Morganville, New Jersey|Morganville]].<ref name=newyorker>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/persons-of-interest/g-willow-wilsons-american-heroes|title=The Writer Behind a Muslim Marvel Superhero on Her Faith in Comics|last=Tolentino|first=Jia|author-link=Jia Tolentino|date=April 29, 2017|magazine=The New Yorker|access-date=November 28, 2017|issn=0028-792X|archive-date=December 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223032353/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/persons-of-interest/g-willow-wilsons-american-heroes|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jersey City to feature heavily in new Marvel comic book, writer says |url=https://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/2013/11/writer_of_new_ms_marvel_says_j.html |access-date=February 8, 2021 |work=nj.com |date=November 8, 2013 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429113023/https://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/2013/11/writer_of_new_ms_marvel_says_j.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Wilson lived in the county until she was 12.<ref>{{cite interview |last=Wilson |first=G. Willow |interviewer=Rabbi Jack Abramowitz |title=A Jew and a Muslim Walk Into a Comic Book Shop. The Proprietor Hands Them a Sandwich. |url=https://www.ou.org/life/inspiration/jew-muslim-walk-comic-book-shop-proprietor-hands-sandwich/ |website=Orthodox Union |access-date=February 8, 2021 |date=February 27, 2018 |archive-date=February 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208045510/https://www.ou.org/life/inspiration/jew-muslim-walk-comic-book-shop-proprietor-hands-sandwich/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, in an interview with Newsrama in 2013, she erroneously said she was born in [[Morris County, New Jersey|Morris County]] and spent the first ten years of her life there.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsarama.com/19488-g-willow-wilson-s-new-ms-marvel-teen-muslim-jersey-girl-fangirl.html|title=G. Willow Wilson's New MS. MARVEL – Teen, Muslim, Jersey Girl, Fangirl!|work=Newsarama|access-date=November 28, 2017|date=November 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916053436/https://www.newsarama.com/19488-g-willow-wilson-s-new-ms-marvel-teen-muslim-jersey-girl-fangirl.html|archive-date=September 16, 2017}}</ref> Her parents were [[Atheism|atheists]] who renounced [[Protestantism]] in the late 1960s,<ref name=newyorker/> hence Wilson was not raised in a religious household. Wilson first encountered comics when she read an anti-smoking pamphlet featuring the [[X-Men]] in the fifth grade. The characters fascinated her and she began watching the cartoon [[X-Men: The Animated Series|''X-Men'']] every Saturday.<ref name=":02">{{Cite interview|url=http://www.islamscifi.com/islam-sci-fi-interview-of-g-willow-wilson-part-i/|title=Islam Sci-fi Interview of G. Willow Wilson (Part I)|date=March 25, 2015|work=Islam and Science Fiction|access-date=November 28, 2017|first=G. Willow|last=Wilson|interviewer=Rebecca Hankins|archive-date=July 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711073213/http://www.islamscifi.com/islam-sci-fi-interview-of-g-willow-wilson-part-i/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Two years later she and her family moved to Boulder, Colorado, where Wilson continued to pursue her interest in comics and other forms of popular culture such as tabletop role-playing games.


== External Links ==
=== Converting to Islam ===
After high school, Wilson attended [[Boston University]] to pursue a degree in history. During her [[sophomore year]], Wilson began experiencing adrenal problems<ref>{{cite web |title='The Butterfly Mosque' by G. Willow Wilson |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2010/06/03/the-butterfly-mosque-by-g-willow-wilson/ |website=The Denver Post |date=June 3, 2010 |access-date=March 24, 2021 |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715134845/https://www.denverpost.com/2010/06/03/the-butterfly-mosque-by-g-willow-wilson/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the associated discomfort resulted in her studying a number of religions, including [[Buddhism]], [[Judaism]], [[Christianity]], and [[Islam]]. After studying Judaism she focused on Islam, which appealed to her because "to become a Muslim is sort of a deal between you and God."<ref name="boston">{{cite interview|url=http://archive.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/06/20/beneath_the_veil/|title=Beneath the veil|last=Wilson|first=G. Willow|interviewer=Ideas|work=Boston.com|access-date=November 28, 2017|date=June 20, 2010|location=Seattle|id=Written by Lisa Wangsness|archive-date=September 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903053022/http://archive.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/06/20/beneath_the_veil/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[September 11 attacks|9/11 terrorist attack]] set back her religious studies – fearing she had misjudged the religion – but she later resumed her studies.<ref name=":02" />
*[http://www.gwillowwilson.com Official Website]

*[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16469524 Interview on NPR's Talk of the Nation]
In 2003, shortly before her graduation, Wilson agreed to teach English in Cairo. During the plane journey, Wilson converted to Islam; claiming she "made peace with God. I called him Allah." According to ''Butterfly Mosque'', upon arrival in Cairo, Wilson secretly practiced Islam but after becoming engaged to an Egyptian she began to practice it more openly.

==Career==
Wilson's writing career began from her work as a freelance music critic for [[DigBoston]].<ref name="ala.org"/> After moving to [[Cairo]], she contributed articles to the ''[[Atlantic Monthly]]'', ''[[The New York Times Magazine]]'', and the ''[[National Post]]''.<ref name=cairo>[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=121357 Newsarama.com] {{dead link|date=November 2015}}</ref> She was also a regular contributor to the now-defunct Egyptian opposition weekly ''Cairo Magazine''. Wilson was the first Western journalist to be granted a private interview with [[Ali Gomaa]] after his promotion to the position of [[Grand Mufti]] of Egypt.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200507/wilson |title=The Show-Me Sheikh |website=The Atlantic |date=November 20, 2015 |access-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-date=May 13, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513190047/http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200507/wilson |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, Wilson released a memoir titled ''The Butterfly Mosque'' about life in Egypt during the Mubarak regime, which was named a ''[[Seattle Times]]'' Best Book of 2010.<ref name="ala.org">{{cite web|url = http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2014/09/acrl-2015-keynote-speakers-announced|title = ACRL 2015 keynote speakers announced|date = September 15, 2014|access-date = September 23, 2014|website = American Library Association|archive-date = October 26, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141026045257/http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2014/09/acrl-2015-keynote-speakers-announced|url-status = live}}</ref>

Her first graphic novel, ''[[Cairo (comics)|Cairo]]'', with art by [[M.K. Perker]], was published by [[Vertigo (DC Comics)|Vertigo]] in 2007,<ref name=cairo/> and named one of the best graphic novels of 2007 by ''[[Publishers Weekly]]'', ''[[The Edmonton Journal]]/[[CanWest News]]'', and ''[[Comics Worth Reading]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comicsworthreading.com/2008/01/04/best-of-2007/ |title=Comicsworthreading.com|access-date=August 10, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604221937/http://comicsworthreading.com/2008/01/04/best-of-2007/ |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |date=January 4, 2008}}</ref> The paperback edition of ''Cairo'' was named one of Best Graphic Novels for High School Students in 2008 by ''[[School Library Journal]]'', and one of 2009's Top Ten Graphic Novels for Teens by the American Library Association.<ref name="2009 Great Graphic Novels for Teens">{{cite web |url = http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklistsawards/booklists/greatgraphicnovelsforteens/09top10 |title = 2009 Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens |date = 2009 |access-date = March 7, 2015 |website = Young Adult Library Services Association |archive-date = March 5, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150305184011/http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklistsawards/booklists/greatgraphicnovelsforteens/09top10 |url-status = live }}</ref>

Her first ongoing comic series, ''[[Air (comics)|Air]]'', launched by Vertigo in 2008<ref>[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=155218 Newsarama] {{dead link|date=November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17105 |title=G. Willow Wilson talks "Air" |website=Comic Book Resources |date=July 7, 2008 |access-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-date=January 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123093819/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17105 |url-status=live }}</ref> reunited her with Perker, and was nominated for an [[Eisner Award]] for 'Best New Series' of 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/040907-Eisner-2009-Noms.html |title=2009 Eisner Award Nominees Named |website=Newsarama |date=April 7, 2009 |access-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-date=September 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916075705/http://www.newsarama.com/comics/040907-Eisner-2009-Noms.html |url-status=live }}</ref> NPR named ''Air'' one of the top comics of 2009,<ref>{{cite web |first=Glen |last=Weldon |author-link=Glen Weldon |url=https://www.npr.org/2009/12/30/114451706/2009-the-comics-that-clung |title=2009: The Comics That Clung : Monkey See |publisher=NPR |date=December 30, 2009 |access-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-date=September 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903064234/https://www.npr.org/2009/12/30/114451706/2009-the-comics-that-clung |url-status=live }}</ref> and it also received acclaim from the ''[[Fairfield Weekly]]'', ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=19367 |title=Best 100 Comics of 2008: Master List |website=Comic Book Resources |date=January 4, 2009 |access-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-date=January 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101064733/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=19367 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Marie Claire]]'',<ref>{{cite web |last=Sturtz |first=Rachel |url=http://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity-lifestyle/articles/book-club-air |title=Air by G. Willow Wilson – Graphic Novel Air Review |website=Marie Claire |date=September 8, 2009 |access-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-date=November 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131118132046/http://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity-lifestyle/articles/book-club-air |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[Library Journal]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Libraryjournal.com|url=http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6705378.html?industryid=47123 |access-date=August 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806072749/http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6705378.html?industryid=47123 |archive-date=August 6, 2011 |date=November 15, 2009 }}</ref> Other works for DC include fill-in issues #704 and 706 of ''[[Superman (comics)|Superman]]'', the five-issue [[Limited series (comics)|mini-series]] ''Vixen: Return of the Lion'', starring the [[Justice League]] member [[Vixen (comics)|Vixen]] with art by [[CAFU (comics)|CAFU]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/comics/?cm=10333 |title=VIXEN: RETURN OF THE LION #1 |publisher=DC Comics |date=October 1, 2008 |access-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-date=June 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609041907/http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/comics/?cm=10333 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080821-WillowWilson.html |title=Talking to G. Willow Wilson – Air, Vixen and More |website=Newsarama |date=August 21, 2008 |access-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-date=June 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616035232/http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080821-WillowWilson.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=18001 |title=G. Willow Wilson talks "Vixen" |website=Comic Book Resources |date=September 10, 2008 |access-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-date=January 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110080319/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=18001 |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[Outsiders (comics)|The Outsiders]]''.

Wilson then wrote ''[[Mystic (comics)|Mystic]]'' (2011), a four-issue miniseries for [[Marvel Comics]] with art by [[David Lopez (artist)|David Lopez]]. Although a [[CrossGen]] revival, Willow's ''Mystic'' bears little resemblance to its previous incarnation.

Her debut novel ''[[Alif the Unseen]]'' (Grove/Atlantic) won the 2013 World Fantasy Award for best novel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wfc2013.org/wfawards01.html |access-date=August 19, 2013 |title=Wfc2013.org|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130803081005/http://www.wfc2013.org/wfawards01.html |archive-date=August 3, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tor.com/blogs/2013/11/2013-world-fantasy-award-winners |title=Announcing the 2013 World Fantasy Award Winners |publisher=Tor.com |date=November 3, 2013 |access-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715090906/http://www.tor.com/blogs/2013/11/2013-world-fantasy-award-winners |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aliftheunseen.co.uk/ |title=Alif the Unseen |website=Aliftheunseen.co.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516194459/http://aliftheunseen.co.uk/ |archive-date=May 16, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2014, Marvel debuted a new ''[[Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan)|Ms. Marvel]]'' series written by Wilson. The book stars [[Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan)|Kamala Khan]], a Muslim teenager living in [[Jersey City, New Jersey]], who takes up the mantle after the previous Ms. Marvel, [[Carol Danvers]], took up the name [[Captain Marvel (Marvel Comics)|Captain Marvel]].

In November 2018, Wilson began writing ''[[Wonder Woman]]'' from [[DC Comics]]. The character battles Ares in an arc entitled "The Just War."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/wonder-woman-g-willow-wilson-interview-the-just-war|title=A New ''Wonder Woman'' Wonders Whether War is Ever Worth It|work=Vogue|date=November 26, 2018|access-date=November 28, 2018|archive-date=November 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128034926/https://www.vogue.com/article/wonder-woman-g-willow-wilson-interview-the-just-war|url-status=live}}</ref>

Her March 2019 novel, ''[[The Bird King]]'',<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://groveatlantic.com/book/the-bird-king/|title=The Bird King {{!}} Grove Atlantic|access-date=March 7, 2019|archive-date=March 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308080836/https://groveatlantic.com/book/the-bird-king/|url-status=live}}</ref> tells the story of Fatima, a concubine in the royal court of Granada, the last emirate of Muslim Spain, and her dearest friend Hassan, the palace mapmaker. Hassan has a secret: he can draw maps of places he's never seen and bend the shape of reality.

In 2020, she was writing The Dreaming from [[DC Comics]], with art by Nick Robles and starting with issue #19.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/nycc-the-dreaming-willow-wilson-nick-robles/|title=NYCC '19: G. Willow Wilson and Nick Robles take over THE DREAMING|work=The Beat|date=October 5, 2019|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=August 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808143843/https://www.comicsbeat.com/nycc-the-dreaming-willow-wilson-nick-robles/|url-status=live}}</ref> The series is part of [[The Sandman Universe]].

=== Creating Kamala Khan ===
Wilson had already had a few forays into the comic book industry, having worked on titles such as ''[[Superman]]'' and [[Vixen (comics)|''Vixen'']] previously.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbr.com/wilson-gets-grounded-on-superman-704/|title=Wilson Gets Grounded on "Superman" #704|date=October 19, 2010|work=CBR|access-date=November 28, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201042036/https://www.cbr.com/wilson-gets-grounded-on-superman-704/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comics.org/issue/543342/|title=GCD :: Issue :: Vixen: Return of the Lion #1|website=Comics.org|access-date=November 28, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201031026/https://www.comics.org/issue/543342/|url-status=live}}</ref> She received an email for an interview with David Gabriel, a senior vice-president at Marvel Entertainment.<ref name=newyorker/> By that point Wilson was almost finished with her second novel, but she took the time to speak with him. Shortly thereafter she was offered the opportunity to co-create a new version of [[Ms. Marvel]] named [[Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan)|Kamala Khan]] alongside [[Sana Amanat]], a director and editor at Marvel Entertainment. The process of crafting Kamala was detailed; both artists wished to create a teenage Muslim American girl. Before settling on her [[Pakistanis|Pakistani]] heritage the two debated the idea of making her a [[Somali American]] girl.<ref name=":22">{{Cite interview|url=http://comicsbulletin.com/interview-g-willow-wilson-on-ms-marvel-and-muslim-american-experience/|title=Interview: G. Willow Wilson on Ms. Marvel and the Muslim-American Experience|date=November 14, 2016|work=Comics Bulletin|access-date=November 28, 2017|first=G. Willow|last=Wilson|interviewer=Ardo Omer|archive-date=December 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202001939/http://comicsbulletin.com/interview-g-willow-wilson-on-ms-marvel-and-muslim-american-experience/|url-status=dead}}</ref> While creating Kamala as a character the duo expected negativity, not just from people who were [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], but also from Muslims who believed Kamala should be portrayed in a certain way.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/06/books/marvel-comics-introducing-a-muslim-girl-superhero.html|title=Marvel Comics Introducing a Muslim Girl Superhero|last=Gustines|first=George Gene|date=November 5, 2013|work=The New York Times|access-date=November 28, 2017|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107024230/http://www.nytimes.com//2013/11/06/books/marvel-comics-introducing-a-muslim-girl-superhero.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The crafting also focused on smaller details: Wilson did not believe Kamala should wear a [[hijab]] due to a majority of teenage Muslim American girls not wearing them.<ref name=":22" /> Despite their initial fears, Kamala was received positively. Some sources described her as easy to relate to, even likening her to a modern-day [[Spider-Man|Peter Parker]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/03/what-makes-the-muslim-em-ms-marvel-em-awesome-shes-just-like-everyone/284517/|title=What Makes the Muslim ''Ms. Marvel'' Awesome: She's Just Like Everyone|last=Berlatsky|first=Noah|work=The Atlantic|access-date=November 28, 2017|date=March 20, 2014|archive-date=November 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116045759/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/03/what-makes-the-muslim-em-ms-marvel-em-awesome-shes-just-like-everyone/284517/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/11/21/between-the-panels-why-ms-marvel-is-the-new-spider-man|title=Between the Panels: Why Ms. Marvel Is the New Spider-Man|last=Schedeen|first=Jesse|date=November 21, 2014|website=IGN|access-date=November 28, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201054551/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/11/21/between-the-panels-why-ms-marvel-is-the-new-spider-man|url-status=live}}</ref> Others even viewed Kamala as a symbol for equality and representation among different religions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/2/2/14457384/kamala-khan-captain-america-protest-icon|title=This Muslim-American superhero has become a real-world protest icon|work=Vox|access-date=November 28, 2017|date=February 2, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040304/https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/2/2/14457384/kamala-khan-captain-america-protest-icon|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Since 2007, Wilson has lived in [[Seattle]] with her husband, Omar. She has two daughters.

==Awards==

===Award wins===
*2012 – Middle East Book Award—Youth Literature: ''[[Alif the Unseen]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fictiondb.com/awards/middle-east-book-award~171~youth-literature~945.htm |title=Middle East Book Award Winners Youth Literature |website=FictionDB |access-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-date=December 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207235329/https://www.fictiondb.com/awards/middle-east-book-award~171~youth-literature~945.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
*2013 – Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award—Regional Book: ''Alif the Unseen''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nwbooklovers.org/2013/01/07/2013-pacific-northwest-book-awards-announced/ |title=2013 Pacific Northwest Book Awards Announced |website=NW Book Lovers |date=January 7, 2013 |access-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-date=April 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416103019/https://nwbooklovers.org/2013/01/07/2013-pacific-northwest-book-awards-announced/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*2013 – [[World Fantasy Award]]—[[World Fantasy Award—Novel|Novel]]: ''Alif the Unseen''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldfantasy.org/awards/awardslist.html |title=World Fantasy Awards – Complete Listing |website=World Fantasy Convention |access-date=November 26, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015020014/http://www.worldfantasy.org/awards/awardslist.html |archive-date=October 15, 2013 }}</ref>
*2014 – Broken Frontier Awards—Best Writer, Mainstream<ref>{{cite web |last=Hautain |first=Frederik |url=http://www.brokenfrontier.com/broken-frontier-awards-2014-announcing-winners-women-image-dominate/ |title=Broken Frontier Awards 2014: Announcing the Winners, Women and Image Dominate – Broken Frontier |website=Broken Frontier |date=December 22, 2014 |access-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-date=June 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625104826/https://www.brokenfrontier.com/broken-frontier-awards-2014-announcing-winners-women-image-dominate/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*2015 – [[Hugo Award]]—[[Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story|Best Graphic Story]]: ''Ms. Marvel''<ref>{{cite web |first=Colin |last=Dwyer |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/08/23/434013387/amid-a-hubbub-at-the-hugos-puppies-see-little-success |title=Hugo Awards: Amid A Hubbub At The Hugos, 'Puppies' See Little Success : The Two-Way |publisher=NPR |date=August 23, 2015 |access-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805230538/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/08/23/434013387/amid-a-hubbub-at-the-hugos-puppies-see-little-success |url-status=live }}</ref>
*2016 – [[Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics]]: ''Ms. Marvel''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicsbeat.com/exclusive-video-g-willow-wilson-accepts-the-second-annual-dwayne-mcduffie-diversity-in-comics-award-for-ms-marvel/|title=EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: G. Willow Wilson accepts the second annual Dwayne McDuffie Diversity in Comics Award for MS. MARVEL|work=Comicsbeat.com|type=Video|date=February 21, 2016|access-date=February 23, 2016|archive-date=April 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416170421/https://www.comicsbeat.com/exclusive-video-g-willow-wilson-accepts-the-second-annual-dwayne-mcduffie-diversity-in-comics-award-for-ms-marvel/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*2019 - American Book Award: ''Ms. Marvel''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/wilson-leon-ms-marvel-american-book-award-winner/ |title=Wilson and Leon win American Book Award for Ms Marvel Vol 9 |website=Comics Beat |date=August 21, 2019 |access-date=May 29, 2022 |archive-date=May 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529145957/https://www.comicsbeat.com/wilson-leon-ms-marvel-american-book-award-winner/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Nominations===
*2009 – [[Eisner Awards]]—Best New Series: ''Air'', by G. Willow Wilson and M. K. Perker (Vertigo/DC) (nomination)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=20716 |title=2009 Eisner Award Nominees Announced |website=Comic Book Resources |access-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-date=April 8, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408191712/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=20716 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*2012 – Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize—First Novel (finalist): ''Alif the Unseen''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://centerforfiction.org/awards/the-flaherty-dunnan-first-novel-prize/ |title=The Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize|access-date=July 1, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615045130/http://centerforfiction.org/awards/the-flaherty-dunnan-first-novel-prize/ |archive-date=June 15, 2015 }}</ref>
*2013 – Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction—Fiction (Nominee): ''Alif the Unseen''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk/reading-room/press-old/womens-prize-for-fiction-announces-2013-longlist |title=WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION ANNOUNCES 2013 LONGLIST |website=Women's Prize for Fiction |date=March 13, 2013 |access-date=November 26, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123093819/http://www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk/2013/womens-prize-for-fiction-announces-2013-longlist |archive-date=January 23, 2016 }}</ref>
*2013 – John W. Campbell Memorial Award—Novel (Third Place): ''Alif the Unseen''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sfadb.com/John_W_Campbell_Memorial_Award_2013 |title=John W. Campbell Memorial Award 2013 |website=science fiction awards database |access-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-date=July 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702052729/http://www.sfadb.com/John_W_Campbell_Memorial_Award_2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*2013 – Locus Award—First Novel (Nominee): ''Alif the Unseen''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.locusmag.com/News/2013/05/2013-locus-awards-finalists/ |title=Locus Online News » 2013 Locus Awards Finalists |website=Locus |date=May 8, 2013 |access-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-date=January 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123093819/http://www.locusmag.com/News/2013/05/2013-locus-awards-finalists/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*2015 – Eisner Awards: Best New Series: ''Ms. Marvel'', by G. Willow Wilson & Adrian Alphona (Marvel) (nomination)<ref name="comicbookresources1">{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/dc-marvel-fantagraphics-top-2014-eisner-award-nominations |title=DC, Marvel & Fantagraphics Top 2014 Eisner Award Nominations |website=Comic Book Resources |access-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070456/http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/dc-marvel-fantagraphics-top-2014-eisner-award-nominations |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*2015 – Eisner Awards: [[Eisner Award for Best Writer|Best Writer]] (nomination)<ref name="comicbookresources1"/>
*2015 – Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity: ''Ms. Marvel'', by G. Willow Wilson & Adrian Alphona (Marvel) (nomination)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/comics/ms-marvel-shaft-among-dwayne-mcduffie-diversity-award-finalists/#/0 |title='Ms. Marvel,' 'Shaft' among Dwayne McDuffie Diversity Award finalists |website=Los Angeles Times |date=February 18, 2015 |access-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220205547/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/comics/ms-marvel-shaft-among-dwayne-mcduffie-diversity-award-finalists/#/0 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*2015 – [[Harvey Awards]]: Best Writer (nomination)<ref name="comicbookresources2">{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/2015-harvey-awards-nominees-announced-2015 |title=2015 Harvey Awards Nominees Announced |website=Comic Book Resources |date=July 14, 2015 |access-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-date=July 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715064753/http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/2015-harvey-awards-nominees-announced-2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*2015 – Harvey Awards: Best New Series: ''Ms. Marvel'' (nomination)<ref name="comicbookresources2"/>
*2016 – Eisner Awards: Best Writer<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comic-con.org/awards/2016-eisner-award-nominees |work=Comic-con.org |title=2016 Eisner Award Nominees |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419182522/http://www.comic-con.org/awards/2016-eisner-award-nominees |archive-date=April 19, 2016 }}</ref>

==Bibliography==
===Comics===
====AiT/Planet Lar====
*''[[Negative Burn]]'' vol. 2 #7–10, "Aces" (with [[Shannon Eric Denton]] and [[Curtis Square-Briggs]]) collected in ''Aces: Curse Of The Red Baron'' (tpb, 112 pages, 2008 {{ISBN|1-932051-52-X}})

====Dark Horse Comics/Berger Books====
*''Invisible Kingdom'' #1–present (with Christian Ward, October 2019-ongoing)

====DC Comics====
*''[[Batman Black and White]]''
** "Metamorphosis" (with [[Greg Smallwood]], in #1, 2020)
*''[[The Outsiders (comics)|The Outsiders: Five of a Kind – Metamorpho/Aquaman]]'' #1, "Rogue Elements" (with [[Joshua Middleton]], August 2007) collected in ''Outsiders: Five of a Kind'' (tpb, 160 pages, 2008, {{ISBN|1-4012-1672-2}})
*''[[Vixen: Return of the Lion]]'' (limited series) (October 2008 – February 2009)
**''Vixen: Return of the Lion'' (tpb, 128 pages, 2009, {{ISBN|1-4012-2512-8}}) collects:
*** "Predators" (with [[CAFU]], in #1, 2008)
*** "Prey" (with CAFU, in #2, 2008)
*** "Sanctuary" (with CAFU, in #3, 2008)
*** "Risen" (with CAFU, in #4, 2009)
*** "Idols" (with CAFU, in #5, 2009)
*''[[Superman (comic book)|Superman]]'' #704, 706 (with [[Leandro Oliveira (artist)|Leandro Oliveira]] and [[Amilcar Pinna]], 2010) collected in ''Superman: Grounded Vol. 1'' (hc, 168 pages, 2011, {{ISBN|1-4012-3075-X}})
* ''[[Wonder Woman]]'' #58-72, 74-81 (with [[Cary Nord]], [[Alejandro Germánico]], [[Emanuela Lupacchino]], and [[Jesús Merino]], 2018–2019)
* ''[[Poison Ivy (2022 comic book)|Poison Ivy]]'' (2022)

=====Vertigo=====
*''[[Cairo (comics)|Cairo]]'' (graphic novel, with [[M.K. Perker]], hc, 160 pages, November 2007 {{ISBN|1-4012-1140-2}})
*''[[Air (comics)|Air]]'' (August 2008 – August 2010)
**''Volume 1: Letters from Lost Countries'' (tpb, 144 pages, 2009, {{ISBN|1-4012-2153-X}}) collects:
*** "Letters from Lost Countries" (with M.K. Perker, in #1–3, 2008)
*** "Masks and Other Memories" (with M.K. Perker, in #4, 2008)
*** "The Engine Room" (with M.K. Perker, in #5, 2008)
**''Volume 2: Flying Machine'' (tpb, 128 pages, 2009, {{ISBN|1-4012-2483-0}}) collects:
*** "The Secret Life of Maps" (with M.K. Perker, in #6, 2009)
*** "The Picture of Zayn al Harrani" (with M.K. Perker, in #7, 2009)
*** "Her Own Devices" (with M.K. Perker, in #8, 2009)
*** "Mass Transit" (with M.K. Perker, in #9, 2009)
*** "Place of the Egrets" (with M.K. Perker, in #10, 2009)
**''Volume 3: Pureland'' (tpb, 168 pages, 2010, {{ISBN|1-4012-2706-6}}) collects:
*** "Sweet as the Tongue" (with M.K. Perker, in #11, 2009)
*** "Pureland" (with M.K. Perker, in #12–14, 2009)
*** "Air Heart" (with M.K. Perker, in #15, 2009)
*** "Infinite Shades" (with M.K. Perker, in #16, 2009)
*** "The Picture of Blythe Alice Cameron" (with M.K. Perker, in #17, 2010)
**''Volume 4: A History of the Future'' (tpb, 168 pages, 2011, {{ISBN|1-4012-2983-2}}) collects:
*** "Reveille" (with M.K. Perker, in #18, 2010)
*** "A History of the Future" (with M.K. Perker, in #19–21, 2010)
*** "Wild Blue Yonder" (with M.K. Perker, in #22, 2010)
*** "Dogfight!" (with M.K. Perker, in #23, 2010)
*** "The Last Horizon" (with M.K. Perker, in #24, 2010)
*''[[The Unexpected (1968 comic book)#2011 one-shot|The Unexpected]]'', "Dogs" (anthology, with [[Robbi Rodriguez]], October 2011) collected in ''The Unexpected'' (tpb, 160 pages, 2013, {{ISBN|1-4012-4394-0}})
*''[[The Dreaming (comics)|The Dreaming]]: Waking Hours'' #1-12 (with Nick Robles, August 2020 – August 2021) collected in ''The Dreaming: Waking Hours'', tpb, 2021, [[Special:BookSources/978-1779512734|ISBN 978-1779512734]]

====Marvel Comics====
*''[[Girl Comics]]'' vol. 2 #1, "Moritat" (with [[Ming Doyle]], March 2010).
*''[[Women of Marvel]]'' #1, "Thrones" (with [[Peter Nguyen (artist)|Peter Nguyen]], November 2010)
*''[[Mystic (comics)|Mystic]]'' vol. 2 (4-issue limited series, with [[David López (artist)|David López]], August–November 2011, collected in ''The Tenth Apprentice'', tpb, 96 pages, 2012, {{ISBN|0-7851-5608-9}})
*''[[Kamala Khan|Ms. Marvel]]'' vol. 3 #1–19 (with [[Adrian Alphona]], February 2014 – October 2015)
**''Volume 1: No Normal'' (tpb, 120 pages, 2014, {{ISBN|0-7851-9021-X}}) collects:
*** "Garden State of Mind" (with [[Adrian Alphona]], in All-New Marvel NOW! Point One #1.NOW, 2014)
*** "Meta Morphosis" (with Adrian Alphona, in #1, 2014)
*** "All Mankind" (with Adrian Alphona, in #2, 2014)
*** "Side Entrance" (with Adrian Alphona, in #3, 2014)
*** "Past Curfew" (with Adrian Alphona, in #4, 2014)
*** "Urban Legend" (with Adrian Alphona, in #5, 2014)
**''Volume 2: Generation Why'' (tpb, 136 pages, 2015, {{ISBN|0-7851-9022-8}}) collects:
*** "Healing Factor" (with [[Jake Wyatt]], in #6–7, 2014)
*** "Generation Why" (with Adrian Alphona, in #8–11, 2014–2015)
**''Volume 3: Crushed'' (tpb, 112 pages, 2015, {{ISBN|0-7851-9227-1}}) collects:
*** "Loki in Love" (with [[Elmo Bondoc]], in #12, 2015)
*** "Crushed" (with [[Takeshi Miyazawa]], in #13–15, 2015)
**''Volume 4: Last Days'' (tpb, 120 pages, 2015, {{ISBN|0-7851-9736-2}}) collects:
*** "Last Days" (with Adrian Alphona, in #16–19, 2015)
*''[[Kamala Khan|Ms. Marvel]]'' vol. 4 #1-38 (November 2015 – April 2019)
**''Volume 5: Super Famous'' (tpb, 136 pages, 2016, {{ISBN|0-7851-9611-0}}) collects:
*** "Super Famous" (with Adrian Alphona and Takeshi Miyazawa, in #1–3, 2015–2016)
*** "Army of One" (with [[Nico Leon]], in #4–6, 2016)
**''Volume 6: Civil War II'' (tpb, 136 pages, 2016, {{ISBN|0-7851-9612-9}}) collects:
*** "The Road to War" (with Adrian Alphona, in #7, 2016)
*** "Civil War II" (with Takeshi Miyazawa and Adrian Alphona, in #8–11, 2016)
*** "The Road to War" (with [[Mirka Andolfo]], in #12, 2016)
**''Volume 7: Damage Per Second'' (tpb, 136 pages, 2017, {{ISBN|1-3029-0305-5}}) collects:
*** "Election Day" (with Mirka Andolfo, in #13, 2016)
*** "Damage Per Second" (with Takeshi Miyazawa, in #14–17, 2017)
*** "Meanwhile in Wakanda" (with [[Francesco Gaston]], in #18, 2017)
*''[[X-Men (comic book)|X-Men]]'' vol. 4 #23–26 (January 2015 – April 2015)
**''Volume 5: The Burning World'' (tpb, 96 pages, 2015, {{ISBN|0-7851-9726-5}}) collects:
*** "The Burning World" (with [[Roland Boschi]], [[Javi Fernandez]], in #23–26, 2015)
*''[[A-Force]]'' vol. 1 (5-issue limited series with [[Marguerite Bennett]] and [[Jorge Molina (comics)|Jorge Molina]], May–October 2015, collected in ''Volume 0: Warzones!'', tpb, 112 pages, 2015, {{ISBN|0-7851-9861-X}})
*''[[A-Force]]'' vol. 2, #1–4 (January–April 2016)
**''Volume 1: Hypertime'' #1–4, ''Avengers'' #0 (with Jorge Molina and [[Kelly Thompson]], tpb, 146 pages, 2016, {{ISBN|0-7851-9605-6}})
*''[[Avengers (comics)|All-New, All-Different Avengers Annual]]'' #1, "Internet Randos" (with [[Mahmud Asrar]], August 2016)
*''[[Generations (Marvel Comics)|Generations: Ms. Marvel]]'' #1 (with [[Paolo Villanelli]], September 2017) collected in Generations (hc, 328 pages, 2017, {{ISBN|1-3029-0847-2}})

===Novels===
*''The Butterfly Mosque'' (memoir, [[Grove Press]], hardcover, June 2010, {{ISBN|1-84354-828-3}}; paperback, June 2011, {{ISBN|0-8021-4533-7}})
*''[[Alif the Unseen]]'' (Grove/Atlantic, July 2012)
*''[[The Bird King]]'' (Grove Press, March 2019), {{ISBN|978-0-8021-2903-1}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{official website|http://www.gwillowwilson.com}}
*{{comicbookdb|type=creator|id=13470|title=G. Willow Wilson}}

{{World Fantasy Award Best Novel}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|United States|Comics|Speculative fiction|Islam}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilson, G. Willow}}
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century American novelists]]
[[Category:American comics writers]]
[[Category:Boston University alumni]]
[[Category:American female comics writers]]
[[Category:American women science fiction and fantasy writers]]
[[Category:American expatriates in Egypt]]
[[Category:American women novelists]]
[[Category:Converts to Islam from atheism or agnosticism]]
[[Category:American women journalists]]
[[Category:Journalists from New Jersey]]
[[Category:Novelists from New Jersey]]
[[Category:Journalists from Colorado]]
[[Category:Novelists from Colorado]]
[[Category:Writers from Boulder, Colorado]]
[[Category:People from Monmouth County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics writers]]
[[Category:DC Comics people]]
[[Category:Hugo Award–winning writers]]
[[Category:World Fantasy Award–winning writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Muslims]]
[[Category:American Book Award winners]]
[[Category:21st-century American women writers]]
[[Category:Muslims from Colorado]]
[[Category:Muslims from New Jersey]]

Latest revision as of 20:22, 2 November 2024

G. Willow Wilson
Wilson in 2019
BornGwendolyn Willow Wilson
(1982-08-31) August 31, 1982 (age 42)
New Jersey, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Area(s)Writer, Artist
Notable works
Cairo, Air, Alif the Unseen, Ms. Marvel
AwardsHugo Award, World Fantasy Award
Spouse(s)Omar
Children2
gwillowwilson.com

Gwendolyn Willow Wilson (born August 31, 1982) is an American comics writer, prose author, and essayist. Her best-known prose works include the novels Alif the Unseen (2012) and The Bird King (2019). She is best known for relaunching the Ms. Marvel title for Marvel Comics starring a 16-year-old Muslim superhero named Kamala Khan. Her work is most often categorized as magical realism.

Early life

[edit]

Wilson was born on August 31, 1982, in Monmouth County, New Jersey, and grew up in Morganville.[1][2] Wilson lived in the county until she was 12.[3] However, in an interview with Newsrama in 2013, she erroneously said she was born in Morris County and spent the first ten years of her life there.[4] Her parents were atheists who renounced Protestantism in the late 1960s,[1] hence Wilson was not raised in a religious household. Wilson first encountered comics when she read an anti-smoking pamphlet featuring the X-Men in the fifth grade. The characters fascinated her and she began watching the cartoon X-Men every Saturday.[5] Two years later she and her family moved to Boulder, Colorado, where Wilson continued to pursue her interest in comics and other forms of popular culture such as tabletop role-playing games.

Converting to Islam

[edit]

After high school, Wilson attended Boston University to pursue a degree in history. During her sophomore year, Wilson began experiencing adrenal problems[6] and the associated discomfort resulted in her studying a number of religions, including Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. After studying Judaism she focused on Islam, which appealed to her because "to become a Muslim is sort of a deal between you and God."[7] The 9/11 terrorist attack set back her religious studies – fearing she had misjudged the religion – but she later resumed her studies.[5]

In 2003, shortly before her graduation, Wilson agreed to teach English in Cairo. During the plane journey, Wilson converted to Islam; claiming she "made peace with God. I called him Allah." According to Butterfly Mosque, upon arrival in Cairo, Wilson secretly practiced Islam but after becoming engaged to an Egyptian she began to practice it more openly.

Career

[edit]

Wilson's writing career began from her work as a freelance music critic for DigBoston.[8] After moving to Cairo, she contributed articles to the Atlantic Monthly, The New York Times Magazine, and the National Post.[9] She was also a regular contributor to the now-defunct Egyptian opposition weekly Cairo Magazine. Wilson was the first Western journalist to be granted a private interview with Ali Gomaa after his promotion to the position of Grand Mufti of Egypt.[10] Additionally, Wilson released a memoir titled The Butterfly Mosque about life in Egypt during the Mubarak regime, which was named a Seattle Times Best Book of 2010.[8]

Her first graphic novel, Cairo, with art by M.K. Perker, was published by Vertigo in 2007,[9] and named one of the best graphic novels of 2007 by Publishers Weekly, The Edmonton Journal/CanWest News, and Comics Worth Reading.[11] The paperback edition of Cairo was named one of Best Graphic Novels for High School Students in 2008 by School Library Journal, and one of 2009's Top Ten Graphic Novels for Teens by the American Library Association.[12]

Her first ongoing comic series, Air, launched by Vertigo in 2008[13][14] reunited her with Perker, and was nominated for an Eisner Award for 'Best New Series' of 2009.[15] NPR named Air one of the top comics of 2009,[16] and it also received acclaim from the Fairfield Weekly, Comic Book Resources,[17] Marie Claire,[18] and Library Journal.[19] Other works for DC include fill-in issues #704 and 706 of Superman, the five-issue mini-series Vixen: Return of the Lion, starring the Justice League member Vixen with art by CAFU,[20][21][22] and The Outsiders.

Wilson then wrote Mystic (2011), a four-issue miniseries for Marvel Comics with art by David Lopez. Although a CrossGen revival, Willow's Mystic bears little resemblance to its previous incarnation.

Her debut novel Alif the Unseen (Grove/Atlantic) won the 2013 World Fantasy Award for best novel.[23][24][25]

In 2014, Marvel debuted a new Ms. Marvel series written by Wilson. The book stars Kamala Khan, a Muslim teenager living in Jersey City, New Jersey, who takes up the mantle after the previous Ms. Marvel, Carol Danvers, took up the name Captain Marvel.

In November 2018, Wilson began writing Wonder Woman from DC Comics. The character battles Ares in an arc entitled "The Just War."[26]

Her March 2019 novel, The Bird King,[27] tells the story of Fatima, a concubine in the royal court of Granada, the last emirate of Muslim Spain, and her dearest friend Hassan, the palace mapmaker. Hassan has a secret: he can draw maps of places he's never seen and bend the shape of reality.

In 2020, she was writing The Dreaming from DC Comics, with art by Nick Robles and starting with issue #19.[28] The series is part of The Sandman Universe.

Creating Kamala Khan

[edit]

Wilson had already had a few forays into the comic book industry, having worked on titles such as Superman and Vixen previously.[29][30] She received an email for an interview with David Gabriel, a senior vice-president at Marvel Entertainment.[1] By that point Wilson was almost finished with her second novel, but she took the time to speak with him. Shortly thereafter she was offered the opportunity to co-create a new version of Ms. Marvel named Kamala Khan alongside Sana Amanat, a director and editor at Marvel Entertainment. The process of crafting Kamala was detailed; both artists wished to create a teenage Muslim American girl. Before settling on her Pakistani heritage the two debated the idea of making her a Somali American girl.[31] While creating Kamala as a character the duo expected negativity, not just from people who were anti-Muslim, but also from Muslims who believed Kamala should be portrayed in a certain way.[32] The crafting also focused on smaller details: Wilson did not believe Kamala should wear a hijab due to a majority of teenage Muslim American girls not wearing them.[31] Despite their initial fears, Kamala was received positively. Some sources described her as easy to relate to, even likening her to a modern-day Peter Parker.[33][34] Others even viewed Kamala as a symbol for equality and representation among different religions.[35]

Personal life

[edit]

Since 2007, Wilson has lived in Seattle with her husband, Omar. She has two daughters.

Awards

[edit]

Award wins

[edit]

Nominations

[edit]
  • 2009 – Eisner Awards—Best New Series: Air, by G. Willow Wilson and M. K. Perker (Vertigo/DC) (nomination)[43]
  • 2012 – Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize—First Novel (finalist): Alif the Unseen[44]
  • 2013 – Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction—Fiction (Nominee): Alif the Unseen[45]
  • 2013 – John W. Campbell Memorial Award—Novel (Third Place): Alif the Unseen[46]
  • 2013 – Locus Award—First Novel (Nominee): Alif the Unseen[47]
  • 2015 – Eisner Awards: Best New Series: Ms. Marvel, by G. Willow Wilson & Adrian Alphona (Marvel) (nomination)[48]
  • 2015 – Eisner Awards: Best Writer (nomination)[48]
  • 2015 – Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity: Ms. Marvel, by G. Willow Wilson & Adrian Alphona (Marvel) (nomination)[49]
  • 2015 – Harvey Awards: Best Writer (nomination)[50]
  • 2015 – Harvey Awards: Best New Series: Ms. Marvel (nomination)[50]
  • 2016 – Eisner Awards: Best Writer[51]

Bibliography

[edit]

Comics

[edit]

AiT/Planet Lar

[edit]
  • Negative Burn vol. 2 #7–10, "Aces" (with Shannon Eric Denton and Curtis Square-Briggs) collected in Aces: Curse Of The Red Baron (tpb, 112 pages, 2008 ISBN 1-932051-52-X)

Dark Horse Comics/Berger Books

[edit]
  • Invisible Kingdom #1–present (with Christian Ward, October 2019-ongoing)

DC Comics

[edit]
Vertigo
[edit]
  • Cairo (graphic novel, with M.K. Perker, hc, 160 pages, November 2007 ISBN 1-4012-1140-2)
  • Air (August 2008 – August 2010)
    • Volume 1: Letters from Lost Countries (tpb, 144 pages, 2009, ISBN 1-4012-2153-X) collects:
      • "Letters from Lost Countries" (with M.K. Perker, in #1–3, 2008)
      • "Masks and Other Memories" (with M.K. Perker, in #4, 2008)
      • "The Engine Room" (with M.K. Perker, in #5, 2008)
    • Volume 2: Flying Machine (tpb, 128 pages, 2009, ISBN 1-4012-2483-0) collects:
      • "The Secret Life of Maps" (with M.K. Perker, in #6, 2009)
      • "The Picture of Zayn al Harrani" (with M.K. Perker, in #7, 2009)
      • "Her Own Devices" (with M.K. Perker, in #8, 2009)
      • "Mass Transit" (with M.K. Perker, in #9, 2009)
      • "Place of the Egrets" (with M.K. Perker, in #10, 2009)
    • Volume 3: Pureland (tpb, 168 pages, 2010, ISBN 1-4012-2706-6) collects:
      • "Sweet as the Tongue" (with M.K. Perker, in #11, 2009)
      • "Pureland" (with M.K. Perker, in #12–14, 2009)
      • "Air Heart" (with M.K. Perker, in #15, 2009)
      • "Infinite Shades" (with M.K. Perker, in #16, 2009)
      • "The Picture of Blythe Alice Cameron" (with M.K. Perker, in #17, 2010)
    • Volume 4: A History of the Future (tpb, 168 pages, 2011, ISBN 1-4012-2983-2) collects:
      • "Reveille" (with M.K. Perker, in #18, 2010)
      • "A History of the Future" (with M.K. Perker, in #19–21, 2010)
      • "Wild Blue Yonder" (with M.K. Perker, in #22, 2010)
      • "Dogfight!" (with M.K. Perker, in #23, 2010)
      • "The Last Horizon" (with M.K. Perker, in #24, 2010)
  • The Unexpected, "Dogs" (anthology, with Robbi Rodriguez, October 2011) collected in The Unexpected (tpb, 160 pages, 2013, ISBN 1-4012-4394-0)
  • The Dreaming: Waking Hours #1-12 (with Nick Robles, August 2020 – August 2021) collected in The Dreaming: Waking Hours, tpb, 2021, ISBN 978-1779512734

Marvel Comics

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Novels

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References

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  2. ^ "Jersey City to feature heavily in new Marvel comic book, writer says". nj.com. November 8, 2013. Archived from the original on April 29, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  3. ^ Wilson, G. Willow (February 27, 2018). "A Jew and a Muslim Walk Into a Comic Book Shop. The Proprietor Hands Them a Sandwich". Orthodox Union (Interview). Interviewed by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz. Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
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