This event is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. This event takes place at the Auburn Avenue Research Library, 101 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303. Doors open at 6pm. Event begins promptly at 6:30pm.
Charis and the Auburn Avenue Research Library welcome Susana M. Morris in conversation with Holly A. Smith for a celebration of 
Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler
, a magnificent cultural biography that charts the life of one of our greatest writers, situating her alongside the key historical and social moments that shaped her work.
As the first Black woman to consistently write and publish in the field of science fiction, Octavia Butler was a trailblazer. With her deft pen, she created stories speculating the devolution of the American empire, using it as an apt metaphor for the best and worst of humanity—our innovation and ingenuity, our naked greed and ambition, our propensity for violence and hierarchy. Her fiction charts the rise and fall of the American project—the nation’s transformation from a provincial backwater to a capitalist juggernaut—made possible by chattel slavery—to a bloated imperialist superpower on the verge of implosion.
In this outstanding work, Susana M. Morris places Butler’s story firmly within the cultural, social, and historical context that shaped her life: the Civil Rights Movement, Black Power, women’s liberation, queer rights, Reaganomics. Morris reveals how these influences profoundly impacted Butler’s personal and intellectual trajectory and shaped the ideas central to her writing. Her cautionary tales warn us about succumbing to fascism, gender-based violence, and climate chaos while offering alternate paradigms to religion, family, and understanding our relationships to ourselves. Butler envisioned futures with Black women at the center, raising our awareness of how those who are often dismissed have the knowledge to shift the landscape of our world. But her characters are no magical martyrs, they are tough, flawed, intelligent, and complicated, a reflection of Butler’s stories.
Morris explains what drove Butler: She wrote because she felt she must. “Who was I anyway? Why should anyone pay attention to what I had to say? Did I have anything to say? I was writing science fiction and fantasy, for God’s sake. At that time nearly all professional science-fiction writers were white men. As much as I loved science fiction and fantasy, what was I doing? Well, whatever it was, I couldn’t stop. Positive obsession is about not being able to stop just because you’re afraid and full of doubts. Positive obsession is dangerous. It’s about not being able to stop at all.”
About the author
Susana M. Morris
 is a queer daughter of Caribbean immigrants and a scholar of Black feminism and a cultural critic who has dedicated her career to studying the interior lives of Black women. She is an associate professor of Literature, Media, and Communication at Georgia Tech. A former Anschutz Distinguished Fellow at Princeton University and Norman Freeling Visiting Professor at the University of Michigan, she is the author of 
Close Kin and Distant Relatives: The Paradox of Respectability in Black Women's Literature
 and co-founder of The Crunk Feminist Collective. Her other works include the co-edited collection 
The Crunk Feminist Collection
 and the co-authored young adult handbook 
Feminist AF: The Guide to Crushing Girlhood
. Her writing has appeared in Gawker, Long Reads, Cosmopolitan.com, and Ebony.com, and she has been featured on NPR, the BBC, and in 
Essence 
magazine. Her forthcoming book, 
Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler
 
will be published in August. Susana was honored to serve as the board chair of Charis Circle, the non-profit programming arm of Charis Books & More, for eight years.
About the conversation partner
Holly A. Smith 
is the College Archivist at Spelman College. She received her B.A. in History and Black Studies from The College of William and Mary, an M.A. in History from Yale University, and an M.S. in Library and Information Science from Simmons College. She co-authored the article “This [Black] Woman’s Work: Exploring Archival Projects that Embrace the Identity of the Memory Worker” (KULA Journal, 2018:2), and authored the pieces “Radical Love: Documenting Underrepresented Communities Using Principles of Radical Empathy” (Journal for the Society of North Carolina Archivists, 2018: 15) and “Wholeness is No Trifling Matter: Black Feminist Archival Practice and The Spelman College Archives” (The Black Scholar 52:2). She is passionate about Black feminist archival practice archives and archival advocacy related to collections for historically under documented communities.
About the venue:
Masks are encouraged but not required.AARL has a free parking lot accessible via Courtland street. Please park and enter the library to get a guest pass for your dashboard before having a seat in the auditorium.
The event is free and open to all people, but we encourage and appreciate a donation of $5-20 in support of the work of Charis Circle, our programming non-profit. Charis Circle's mission is to foster sustainable feminist communities, work for social justice, and encourage the expression of diverse and marginalized voices. Donate via our website: 
www.chariscircle.org/donate
.
Please contact us at 
info@chariscircle.org
 or 404-524-0304 if you would like ASL interpretation at this event.
By attending our event, you agree to our Code of Conduct: Our event seeks to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), class, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Unsolicited sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from this event and all future events at the discretion of the organizers. Please report all harassment to Charis staff immediately or email 
info@chariscircle.org
.
Information Source: Charis Books and More + Charis Circle | eventbrite

Fulton County

United States

Atlanta

Searching for information and tickets regarding Author Talk on Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler | Auburn Avenue Research Library taking place in Atlanta on Aug 19, 2025 (UTC-4)? Trip.com has you covered. Check the dates, itineraries, and other information about Author Talk on Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler | Auburn Avenue Research Library now! Trip.com has also prepared more similar exciting activities and discounted flight and hotel packages.

Author Talk on Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler | Auburn Avenue Research Library: Tickets, Dates & Itineraries | Trip.com

Author Talk on Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler | Auburn Avenue Research Library

Author Talk on Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler | Trip.com

null | Trip.com

Share your results and see what your friends think!

The St. Regis Atlanta

Georgia Aquarium

Immediate access

Book now for today

Family-Friendly Attractions

_TI***i3

We really enjoyed our visit to the Georgia Aquarium. It&rsquo;s a place we&rsquo;d be willing to go again

World of Coca-Cola

Museums

136***71

A medium-sized museum that tells the history of Coca-Cola. It is very distinctive and a bit like the pavilion of the World Expo. There are quite a few visitors. They are mainly let in in groups. They first tell the history, and then watch a Coca-Cola commercial in the theater. The general idea is that Coca-Cola accompanies people in all the good moments; then they visit the history of Coke on their own. There are two unique exhibition halls. One is the smell taste, which is to evoke the memory of the taste of different Coca-Cola by smelling; the other is the exhibition hall where you can taste Coca-Cola of various flavors. You can really drink unlimited amounts of it. There are many varieties, but in the end, I still think that Coca-Cola tastes the most classic. The last stop is the souvenir shop, which has various related derivatives. This American museum is very good at it. In short, the American exhibition business is very smooth and in place. I didn&#39;t expect a glass of sweet water to be expanded into such rich content.

Zoo Atlanta

om saini

I see you&#39;re interested in zoo reviews! Zoo Atlanta, located in Georgia, USA, is a fantastic destination for animal lovers of all ages. The zoo is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including giant pandas, gorillas, lions, and many more fascinating species.One of the highlights of Zoo Atlanta is its dedication to conservation and education. Visitors not only get to see these amazing animals up close but also learn about the importance of wildlife preservation and the zoo&#39;s efforts in conservation. The zoo&#39;s habitats are well-designed to mimic the animals&#39; natural environments, providing a more enriching experience for both the animals and visitors.Moreover, Zoo Atlanta offers various interactive experiences, such as feeding opportunities and behind-the-scenes tours, allowing guests to engage with the animals in unique ways. The zoo&#39;s commitment to animal welfare and conservation, combined with its engaging exhibits and educational programs, make it a must-visit attraction for families, animal enthusiasts, and anyone looking to connect with nature. A trip to Zoo Atlanta is not only entertaining but also enlightening, leaving visitors with a greater appreciation for the animal kingdom.

Centennial Olympic Park

小笼包沙发

This square is a large park in the middle of the street, free. You can stroll around when you have time, take photos at the Fifth Ring Road, etc. There is a Ferris wheel next to it, and the view of the surrounding buildings is pretty good. Then walk to the CNN headquarters in 5 minutes.

Atlanta History Center

小溪小海

After reading the comments and pictures posted by other travelers, I feel that the museum has been renovated after 2020, and the renovation effect is very good. However, the ticket price has also increased-it is not $16.5 as everyone said, I clearly paid $27! And no cash or UnionPay cards are accepted.
There are too many contents. Coming here is equivalent to a museum + forest park + celebrity residence + zoo. It is also a good choice for weddings and photo-taking. After walking for a day, I didn&rsquo;t finish the tour. Can $27 be more worthwhile? There are movies and guides in the exhibition hall. I usually think my English is good, but now it seems that it is still not enough.

Time:	Aug 19, 2025 (UTC-4) ENDED
Location:	Auburn Avenue Research Library

Author Talk on Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler | Auburn Avenue Research Library

Details

Vote

Are you interested in Author Talk on Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler?

Recommended Products for Author Talk on Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler | Auburn Avenue Research Library

The St. Regis Atlanta

Georgia Aquarium

World of Coca-Cola

Zoo Atlanta

Centennial Olympic Park

Atlanta History Center

Author Talk on Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler | Auburn Avenue Research Library

Details

Vote

Are you interested in Author Talk on Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler?

Recommended Products for Author Talk on Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler | Auburn Avenue Research Library

The St. Regis Atlanta

Georgia Aquarium

World of Coca-Cola

Zoo Atlanta

Centennial Olympic Park

Atlanta History Center

More contents about Atlanta