Inclusive Language in Fiction Writing
Let’s push back on the Trump administration’s desire to promote white male hegemony and talk about an essential part of modern literature: inclusive language.
Inclusive language in literature isn’t about forcing D.E.I. and representation into our work. It’s about dismantling tired tropes and broadening the scope of storytelling. Fantasy stories, in particular, have long promoted white male protagonists as the default heroes, relegating others to sidekicks, villains, or mystical guides, and, by extension, elevated the voice and visibility of white male authors.
But why should white male narratives be the norm? A world shaped by magic, myths, and the unknown should be as rich in diverse identities, cultures, and perspectives. When we make space for protagonists of different races, genders, and backgrounds, we create stories that resonate more deeply, reflecting the true complexity of the world. We stretch the limitless possibilities of our imaginations. And we invite diverse voices and perspectives to join us on the journey.
Octavia Butler shattered the barriers of speculative fiction in the 1980s, proving that fantasy and science fiction could be powerful tools for elevating Black women's voices. Her works, such as Kindred and Parable of the Sower, centered on Black female protagonists who defied convention, navigating worlds shaped by oppression, resilience, and transformation. Butler’s legacy challenges today’s writers to step beyond the expected and craft fantasy worlds that reflect the richness of diverse experiences. By following her lead, we can move away from narratives that uphold white male hegemony and instead create inclusive, immersive stories where Black women — all people of marginalized voices — take their rightful place as heroes.
But Octavia isn’t alone. Here are five contemporary authors who, like Octavia Butler, have pushed against the dominance of white male narratives in fantasy fiction over the last twenty years:
N.K. Jemisin. A three-time Hugo Award winner for The Broken Earth trilogy, Jemisin has redefined modern fantasy with her complex, deeply political worlds that center on Black characters and challenge systemic oppression
Rebecca Roanhorse. A Native American author whose Between Earth and Sky series and Trail of Lightning incorporate Indigenous mythology and perspectives, breaking the Eurocentric fantasy mold.
Tasha Suri. British-Indian author of The Books of Ambha and The Burning Kingdoms, who weaves South Asian history, folklore, and feminist themes into her lush, immersive fantasy worlds.
P. Djèlí Clark. An Afro-Caribbean writer known for A Master of Djinn and The Black God's Drums, blending historical fantasy with steampunk and Afrofuturism to challenge colonialist narratives.
Marjorie Liu. Author of Monstress, a fantasy comic series that subverts Western fantasy tropes, centering Asian-inspired worldbuilding, complex female protagonists, and themes of war, trauma, and resistance.
These modern authors, like Butler, are expanding the fantasy landscape by telling stories that embrace diverse identities, histories, and mythologies, challenging the old defaults of the genre.
Reading Inclusively
As a white male fantasy author, I can be an ally by consciously incorporating diverse voices, perspectives, and themes in my work while being cognisant of avoiding stereotypes or tokenism.
Writing inclusively begins by reading authors of different backgrounds to learn how they craft characters and worlds outside the Eurocentric norm. One of the best things that happened to me as a 17-year-old kid in the Pacific Northwest was a World Literature class from an ex-CIA agent named Bledsoe. Bledsoe fed me Central American poetry and African fiction; I dined on Portuguese essays and devoured decadent desserts of Vietnamese magical realism. How do we write inclusively? We begin by reading inclusively.
Reading diverse voices expanded my perspective. It challenged my ingrained biases and enriched my storytelling by exposing me to cultures, experiences, and viewpoints outside my own. It helped me recognize the limitations of traditional fantasy narratives at an early age and introduced alternative worldbuilding techniques, character archetypes, and thematic concerns.
Engaging with diverse authors allows us to see how they weave identity, history, and cultural nuance into their work. This exposure enables us to challenge outdated tropes — such as the white savior or the exoticized, sexualized "other" — by creating nuanced, multidimensional characters of all races, genders, and cultures. Therein, we write with greater authenticity, moving beyond token representation to develop characters and worlds that feel real, lived-in, and inclusive. Most importantly, we can use our platform to uplift marginalized voices, promote their work, and advocate for a more inclusive literary landscape.
How Do We Write Inclusively?
Writing inclusively isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about crafting richer, more meaningful stories that reflect the complexity of the real world. Yes, I emphasize the word real here because of the oxygen being sucked out of the room by white nationalists. Now, more than ever is the right time to delve into and promote diverse voices. We can respect and elevate others if we react intelligently — with intention.
Read Widely. Immerse yourself in works by diverse authors to understand different perspectives, storytelling traditions, and cultural nuances.
Examine Your Biases. Reflect on the assumptions you bring to your writing. Are your characters defaulting to white, male, straight, or able-bodied without reason? Challenge yourself to break these patterns.
Develop Complex Characters. Avoid stereotypes or one-dimensional representations. Give marginalized characters depth, agency, and meaningful arcs rather than making them sidekicks or background figures.
Research with Care. Do a thorough research if you’re writing about cultures, identities, or experiences outside your own. Engage with primary sources, historical records, and firsthand accounts. Don’t assume: talk to people (real people) about their own lived experiences.
Use Sensitivity Readers. If your story includes characters from backgrounds you don’t personally share, work with sensitive readers to ensure respectful and authentic representation.
Diversify Your Fantasy Worlds. Rethink Eurocentric medieval settings. Draw inspiration from global histories, mythologies, and philosophies to create fresh, inclusive fantasy landscapes.
Challenge Traditional Tropes. Rework common fantasy tropes that reinforce exclusionary narratives. Avoid the "white savior" trope. Stop using exoticized or villainized nonwhite characters. Show the power of women. Stop the erasure of LGBTQ+ identities.
Amplify Marginalized Voices. Beyond your writing, advocate for inclusivity by recommending books by BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, and other underrepresented authors.
Embrace Gender Neutrality
Traditionally, English has leaned heavily on gender-specific pronouns (“he” or “she”) or clunky phrases like “he or she” when the subject’s gender isn’t specified. Not only can this feel outdated, but it can also alienate readers who don’t identify within the binary. Gender-neutral writing ensures your work resonates with a broader audience and better reflects the diverse world we live in.
One of the simplest ways to write inclusively is to use the singular “they.” It’s versatile, grammatically correct (even the experts at Merriam-Webster agree), and widely understood. For example:
Instead of: A writer must find his or her inspiration.
Try: A writer must find their inspiration.
Alternatives to Gendered Language
Some words and phrases carry implicit gender bias. Words like “chairman” can easily be replaced with “chairperson” or just “chair.” Similarly, avoid defaulting to masculine terms like “man-made” (“artificial” or “human-made” works great) or “fireman” (“firefighter”).
For characters or individuals whose gender is unknown, consider neutral descriptors or omit unnecessary gendering altogether. For example:
Instead of: The nurse adjusted her clipboard.
Try: The nurse adjusted the clipboard.
Punctuation Considerations
Punctuation plays an underrated role in gender-neutral writing. Parentheses and slashes (e.g., he/she) are often used to accommodate gender diversity, but they can interrupt the flow of your writing. Instead, rework the sentence:
Instead of: Each student should submit his/her assignment.
Try: All students should submit their assignments.
It reads cleaner and more inclusive, right?
Making It All Flow
I refuse to believe embracing inclusive language means sacrificing style or story. In fact, I feel it challenges us to think creatively and write more precisely. Avoid overcorrecting or awkward phrasing—your goal is seamless inclusivity. Only white male authors churned fantasy books off bookshelves in the olden days because the consumer was predominantly white, young, and male. Today, fantasy readership flips that assumption on its head, and it’s never been easier to write inclusively, mindful of our evolving audience.
Why It Matters
Inclusive language isn’t just about grammar — it’s about empathy.
As writers, we hold the power to shape worlds and reflect realities. By adopting gender-neutral language, by promoting LGBTQI+, by elevating the voices of women, by embracing cultural diversity in what you read and consume, you’re sending a clear message:
Everyone is welcome here.
I acknowledge mine is not the only voice that matters.
So, the next time you sit down to write, take a moment to consider the words you choose. Are they inclusive? Do they invite every reader in? If not, now’s the perfect time — the perfect time! — to make that shift.
Go, and consciously make your stories more inclusive and impactful.
R
