Alina Boyden is a highly accomplished American author, trans rights activist, and Ph.D. candidate in cultural anthropology. She has made a significant impact in both the literary world and the civil rights movement. Boyden is best known for her epic fantasy novels, particularly the Stealing Thunder series. Her writing is a reflection of her academic background and her experiences as a transgender woman.
Boyden's academic focus is on the organized communities of transgender women in Pakistan, and their fight for rights both in their home country and abroad. This subject has inspired her in her own battles for civil rights in the U.S., where she has been a prominent figure in the fight for transgender healthcare rights. In fact, Boyden won a landmark transgender case with the ACLU, which she has cited as being inspired by the spirit of the transgender women she has studied in Pakistan.
In addition to her activism and academic pursuits, Boyden is also a talented novelist. Her debut novel, Stealing Thunder, was published in 2020 and was met with critical acclaim. The novel is a transportive and gorgeous work that synthesizes her anthropological work with Mughal Indian history. Boyden draws inspiration from her work with South Asian transgender communities to create a beautiful fantasy setting for a range of brilliant characters.
When she is not working on her doctoral dissertation, traveling, or writing her novels, Boyden can be found pursuing her childhood passions of flying airplanes and swordplay. Despite her many accomplishments, Boyden remains a humble and dedicated advocate for transgender rights and a talented writer who continues to inspire and captivate audiences with her work.