R.B. Lemberg (they/them) is a queer, bigender author and scholar originally from L’viv, Ukraine. R.B.'s speculative fiction has been shortlisted for the 2023 Le Guin Prize, and was a finalist for the Nebula, Ignyte, Locus, World Fantasy, Otherwise, and other awards. Their Birdverse novella Yoke of Stars is forthcoming from Tachyon in 2024. R.B.’s research interests include sociolinguistics of Jewish and Slavic languages, translation studies, LGBTQIA+ studies, and science fiction studies. R.B. lives in Lawrence, Kansas with their spouse Bogi Takács, their teen Mati, and a friendly gathering of books and fountain pens.

Many of R.B.’s works of fiction and poetry are set in the Birdverse, a fantasy world, named after its Bird deity. It is a complex, culturally diverse world with many LGBTQIA+ characters and different family configurations. Birdverse is deeply inspired by Jewish languages, history, and culture.

R.B. Lemberg is represented by Mary C. Moore at Aevitas Creative.

BOOKS

  • Yoke of Stars (2024)

    A linguist and an assassin from two very different societies sit down to negotiate an assassination, but then the story goes sideways, into trauma and healing, migration and deep listening.

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  • Two transgender elders must learn to weave from Death in order to defeat an evil ruler—in the debut full-length work set in R. B. Lemberg’s award-winning fantasy Birdverse universe.

    The Four Profound Weaves (2020)

    Two transgender elders must learn to weave from Death in order to defeat an evil ruler—in the debut full-length work set in R. B. Lemberg’s award-winning fantasy Birdverse universe. Finalist for the Nebula, World Fantasy, Ignyte, and Locus awards.

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  • The Unbalancing (2022)

    An impatient starkeeper, a reclusive poet, and their friends team up to try to save their island home from an environmental magical catastrophe. Finalist for the Locus award and the SKCA award.

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  • Geometries of Belonging (2022)

    These poems and stories from the Birdverse travel through different parts of the world’s cultures and customs, from the creation of art to the scholarly leanings of goats to the different forms love and romance can take. Le Guin Prize finalist, Locus Award finalist.

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  • Everything Thaws (2023)

    This poetry memoir is a manifesto of memories, unearthing worlds that are gone and poignantly present: Lemberg’s childhood in the Soviet Union, suspended between Ukraine and the permafrost of Vorkuta, among the traumatized, silent, persecuted members of their Jewish family.

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  • “Lemberg writes deeply considered, evocative portraits of their characters, handling sexuality and gender especially well. This diverse, folkloric fantasy world is a delight to visit."

    Publishers Weekly (starred review)

  • "R.B. Lemberg writes with a luminous pen, spraying light all around their words and ideas. A perilous chase, with assassins and gods in pursuit, reveals the fluidity of life by following the threads—both bright and dark—that weave together to create a complex and mystical journey toward friendship, family, and love.”

    Jewelle Gomez, author, The Gilda Stories

  • “In a narrative by turns gentle and implacable, Lemberg writes movingly and magnificently about disaster, survival, and hope.”

    Kate Elliott, author of the Crown of Stars series

  • “In all their fiction from the fascinating Birdverse world, Lemberg centers marginalized identities: queer, trans, neurodiverse, elderly, and more."

    Buzzfeed

  • "The elegant magic system, influenced by geometry and internal names, is brought to life in the detailed worldbuilding and characters. Lemberg’s prose opens readers to issues of societal and gender roles and class, then proceeds to break down almost every barrier they present."

    The Library Journal (starred review)