Butler described herself as a hermit living in Los Angeles. She was of African descent. She wrote many more stories than the few I've read. They reflect a preoccupation with the nature of humanity and the relationships between the powerful and the weak. Instead of looking to blame or pity, she sought to find the admirable and human in all participants of her dramas. In 1995, the MacArthur Foundation awarded her their "Genius Grant" - an impressive accomplishment for someone who had to overcome dyslexia. I did find a write-up of this event.
- Bloodchild (1984) - A captivating short story that first appeared in "Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine". It is now part of an anthology of the same title (1995).
- Clay's Ark (1984) - An infection that changes human beings into something not quite human comes to Earth, and its victims struggle to retain their humanity.
- Xenogenesis: Dawn (1987),
- Adulthood Rites (1988),
- Imago (1989) - What makes human beings human? If I take a drug to cure a disease, am I less human? If I undergo surgery, is what remains still human? What if I correct a genetic defect like Huntington's disease or cancer? Can I change the color of my hair genetically and remain human? Butler escalated this question to its ultimate consequence to explore the nature of humanity. These stories are very skillfully written, and thought provoking.
There is more information about Octavia Butler here.