Russell Hasan

Russell Hasan (they/he/she) is a writer who writes nonfiction with a focus on philosophy of logic, ethics, and political philosophy, and also writes fiction specializing in fantasy and science fiction. He is LGBTQ, a person of mixed race, and neurodiverse with Autism and ADHD, yet he refuses to let any one of these things define him, viewing himself and others the way he hopes others view him, as a holistic human who cannot be reduced to a simple list of attributes. His work in every genre is characterized by originality, a unique voice, and bending the rules while satisfying expectations.

Russell had the fortune (yes, the fortune, more on that later) to be born during the 1980's as a kid with Autism and ADHD at a time when little was known of these conditions, to parents, and in a location with schools, where his family and teachers knew nothing about Autism and ADHD and provided him with no support or resources whatsoever, and to be LGBTQ before it was cool and at a time when this elicited bullying and unpopularity, and to be a nerd and a gamer before it was cool, which, in the '80s and '90s, meant stigma and isolation, not popularity and appreciation as it does in the '20s. On top of all this, he was born the son of a Jewish mother and Bangladeshi Muslim father, which led both the Jews and the Muslims of his youth to view him as "the other." Despite these many problems, he graduated high school, went to Vassar College, got good grades, majored in philosophy, attended the University of Connecticut School of Law, passed the New York State bar exam on the first try, and has obtained gainful employment sufficient to pay his bills (he is not financially supported by his family), and he has found the time, energy, and motivation, to pursue his dream of writing. With an interest in philosophy fostered in college, he has written and self-published multiple books about philosophy, with a focus on philosophy of logic, ethics, and political philosophy, to acclaim. Unlike most self-published nonfiction, his self-published nonfiction has actually sold. A lifelong nerd, he also writes fantasy and science fiction and has produced several novels. He continues to write and holds the goal of one day writing a novel that gets traditionally published and wins awards. To that end, he frequents writers' workshops where he lives, southwestern Connecticut, near the place where he grew up, Westchester County New York. He also plays Magic: the Gathering (mainly in Azorius, Grixis, or Mono-Green) and follows the New York Knicks, Giants, Yankees, and his alma mater UConn Huskies. His achievements, while modest, fit the definition of an optimal outcome for someone born into his unique set of disadvantages, for which he is happy and grateful.