Elizabeth Moon
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Moon is an American science fiction
and fantasy
author. Her novel The Speed of Dark
won the 2003 Nebula Award
.
, Texas
. She started writing when she was a child and first tried a book, which was about her dog, at age six. She was inspired to write creatively, and says that she began writing science fiction in her teens, considering it a sideline.
She earned a Bachelor's degree
in History from Rice University
in Houston, Texas
in 1968 and later earned a second B.A. in Biology. In 1968 she joined the United States Marine Corps
, attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant while on active duty. She married Richard Sloan Moon in 1969 and they have a son, Michael, born in 1983.
Moon began writing professionally in her mid-thirties and had a newspaper column in a county weekly newspaper. In 1986 she published her first science fiction
in the monthly magazine Analog
and the anthology series Sword and Sorceress
. Her stories appeared regularly in Analog the next few years. Her first novel The Sheepfarmer's Daughter (1988) won the Compton Crook Award
and inaugurated the Paksennarrion series
.
Most of her work has military science fiction
themes, although biology, politics and personal relationships also feature strongly. The Serrano Legacy is a space opera
. Her Nebula-winning novel The Speed of Dark
(2003) is a near-future story told from the viewpoint of an autistic computer programmer, inspired by her own autistic son Michael.
Elizabeth Moon has many interests beside writing. She has a musical background, having played the accordion
during her university days and sung in choir
s. She is an accomplished fencer, and captain of the SFWA
Musketeers, a group of published speculative fiction authors who also fence.
Moon is also an experienced paramedic
and has served in various capacities in local government.
On September 11, 2010, she wrote a blog entry "Citizenship" about immigrants, assimilation, and Muslims.
Because it "dismayed, angered and offended" the co-chairs and other people associated with WisCon
35, a feminist science fiction convention to be held in May 2011,
her invitation to be a guest of honor was rescinded by WisCon's parent body.
Moon was awarded the 2007 Robert A. Heinlein Award
, which honors "outstanding published works in hard science fiction or technical writings that inspire the human exploration of space".
Omnibus edition: The Planet Pirates (October 1993), McCaffrey, Moon, & Nye
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
and fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
author. Her novel The Speed of Dark
The Speed of Dark
Speed of Dark is a near-future science fiction novel by American author Elizabeth Moon. The story is told from the first person viewpoint of an autistic process analyst. It won the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 2003, and was also an Arthur C...
won the 2003 Nebula Award
Nebula Award for Best Novel
Winners of the Nebula Award for Best Novel, awarded by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. The stated year is that of publication; awards are given in the following year.- Winners and other nominees :...
.
Biography
Moon was born Susan Elizabeth Norris and grew up in McAllenMcAllen, Texas
McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. It is located at the southern tip of Texas in an area known as the Rio Grande Valley and is part of the . Its southern boundary is located about five miles from the U.S.–Mexico border and the Mexican city of Reynosa, the Rio...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. She started writing when she was a child and first tried a book, which was about her dog, at age six. She was inspired to write creatively, and says that she began writing science fiction in her teens, considering it a sideline.
She earned a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in History from Rice University
Rice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
in 1968 and later earned a second B.A. in Biology. In 1968 she joined the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
, attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant while on active duty. She married Richard Sloan Moon in 1969 and they have a son, Michael, born in 1983.
Moon began writing professionally in her mid-thirties and had a newspaper column in a county weekly newspaper. In 1986 she published her first science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
in the monthly magazine Analog
Analog Science Fiction and Fact
Analog Science Fiction and Fact is an American science fiction magazine. As of 2011, it is the longest running continuously published magazine of that genre...
and the anthology series Sword and Sorceress
Sword and Sorceress series
The Sword and Sorceress series is a series of fantasy anthologies edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley, and originally published by DAW Books. As she explained in the foreword to the first volume, she created the anthology to redress the lack of strong female protagonists in the sub-genre of sword and...
. Her stories appeared regularly in Analog the next few years. Her first novel The Sheepfarmer's Daughter (1988) won the Compton Crook Award
Compton Crook Award
The Compton Crook Award is presented to the best first novel of the year in the field of Science Fiction, Fantasy, or Horror by the members of the Baltimore Science Fiction Society, Inc, at their annual Baltimore-area science fiction convention, Balticon, held on Memorial Day weekend in the...
and inaugurated the Paksennarrion series
The Deed of Paksenarrion
The Deed of Paksenarrion is an epic fantasy saga by the American author Elizabeth Moon. The Deed of Paksenarrion was originally published in three volumes in 1988 and 1989 and as a single trade edition of that name in 1992 by Baen. The three books included are Sheepfarmer's Daughter, Divided...
.
Most of her work has military science fiction
Military science fiction
Military science fiction is a subgenre of science fiction in which the principal characters are members of a military service and an armed conflict is taking place, normally in space, or on a planet other than Earth...
themes, although biology, politics and personal relationships also feature strongly. The Serrano Legacy is a space opera
Space opera
Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes romantic, often melodramatic adventure, set mainly or entirely in outer space, generally involving conflict between opponents possessing advanced technologies and abilities. The term has no relation to music and it is analogous to "soap...
. Her Nebula-winning novel The Speed of Dark
The Speed of Dark
Speed of Dark is a near-future science fiction novel by American author Elizabeth Moon. The story is told from the first person viewpoint of an autistic process analyst. It won the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 2003, and was also an Arthur C...
(2003) is a near-future story told from the viewpoint of an autistic computer programmer, inspired by her own autistic son Michael.
Elizabeth Moon has many interests beside writing. She has a musical background, having played the accordion
Accordion
The accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
during her university days and sung in choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
s. She is an accomplished fencer, and captain of the SFWA
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, or SFWA is a nonprofit association of professional science fiction and fantasy writers. It was founded in 1965 by Damon Knight under the name Science Fiction Writers of America, Inc. and it retains the acronym SFWA after a very brief use of the SFFWA...
Musketeers, a group of published speculative fiction authors who also fence.
Moon is also an experienced paramedic
Paramedic
A paramedic is a healthcare professional that works in emergency medical situations. Paramedics provide advanced levels of care for medical emergencies and trauma. The majority of paramedics are based in the field in ambulances, emergency response vehicles, or in specialist mobile units such as...
and has served in various capacities in local government.
On September 11, 2010, she wrote a blog entry "Citizenship" about immigrants, assimilation, and Muslims.
Because it "dismayed, angered and offended" the co-chairs and other people associated with WisCon
WisCon
Wiscon or WisCon, the Wisconsin Science Fiction Convention, is often called the world's leading feminist-oriented science fiction convention and conference. It was first held in Madison, Wisconsin in February 1977, and is held annually throughout the four day weekend of Memorial Day...
35, a feminist science fiction convention to be held in May 2011,
her invitation to be a guest of honor was rescinded by WisCon's parent body.
Awards
- Sheepfarmer's Daughter—1989 Compton Crook AwardCompton Crook AwardThe Compton Crook Award is presented to the best first novel of the year in the field of Science Fiction, Fantasy, or Horror by the members of the Baltimore Science Fiction Society, Inc, at their annual Baltimore-area science fiction convention, Balticon, held on Memorial Day weekend in the...
(winner) - Remnant PopulationRemnant PopulationRemnant Population is a 1996 science fiction novel by American writer Elizabeth Moon. The story revolves around an old woman who decides to remain behind on a colony world after the company who sent her there pulls out...
—1997 Hugo AwardHugo AwardThe Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
for Best NovelHugo Award for Best NovelThe Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
(nomination) - The Speed of DarkThe Speed of DarkSpeed of Dark is a near-future science fiction novel by American author Elizabeth Moon. The story is told from the first person viewpoint of an autistic process analyst. It won the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 2003, and was also an Arthur C...
—2003 Nebula AwardNebula AwardThe Nebula Award is given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America , for the best science fiction/fantasy fiction published in the United States during the previous year...
for Best NovelNebula Award for Best NovelWinners of the Nebula Award for Best Novel, awarded by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. The stated year is that of publication; awards are given in the following year.- Winners and other nominees :...
(winner); 2003 Arthur C. Clarke AwardArthur C. Clarke AwardThe Arthur C. Clarke Award is a British award given for the best science fiction novel first published in the United Kingdom during the previous year. The award was established with a grant from Arthur C. Clarke and the first prize was awarded in 1987...
(nomination)
Moon was awarded the 2007 Robert A. Heinlein Award
Robert A. Heinlein Award
The Robert A. Heinlein Award was established by the Heinlein Society in 2003 "for outstanding published works in science fiction and technical writings to inspire the human exploration of space." It is named for prolific science fiction author Robert A. Heinlein and is administered by the Baltimore...
, which honors "outstanding published works in hard science fiction or technical writings that inspire the human exploration of space".
The Deed of Paksenarrion Novels
- Sheepfarmer's Daughter (June 1988)
- Divided Allegiance (October 1988)
- Oath of Gold (January 1989)
- “Those Who Walk in Darkness” (March 1990)—short story set during Oath of Gold, included in the collections Lunar Activity and Phases
- The Deed of Paksenarrion (February 1992)—paperback omnibus
- The Deed of Paksenarrion (October 2003)—hardcover omnibus
- The Deed of Paksenarrion (January 2010)—paperback omnibus
The Legacy of Gird Novels
- Surrender None (June 1990)—prequel to The Deed of Paksenarrion
- Liar's Oath (May 1992)—sequel to Surrender None
- The Legacy of Gird (September 1996)—paperback omnibus
- to be available as A Legacy of Honour (paperback omnibus) in November 2010
Paladin's Legacy Novels
- Oath of Fealty (March 2010)—sequel to Oath of Gold
- Kings of the North (March 2011)—sequel to Oath of Fealty
- Echos of Betrayal (March 2012)—sequel to Kings of the North
Familias Regnant universe
- Heris Serrano trilogy
- Hunting PartyHunting PartyHunting Party is a science fiction novel by Elizabeth Moon. It is the first novel set in her Familias Regnant fictional universe, and the first novel in the informal Heris Serrano trilogy. It is followed by Sporting Chance and Winning Colors.-Plot summary:The plot and narrative center on one Heris...
(July 1993) - Sporting ChanceSporting ChanceSporting Chance is a science fiction novel, written by Elizabeth Moon. Published in 1994, it is the second novel in the Familias Regnant fictional universe, and the second in the Heris Serrano trilogy...
(September 1994) - Winning ColorsWinning ColorsWinning Colors is the third novel in the space opera, military science fiction Familias Regnant fictional universe written by Elizabeth Moon; it continues the plot centered on the adventures of captain Heris Serrano and the maturation of several wealthy Families' scions, which was begun in Hunting...
(August 1995)
- Hunting Party
-
- Heris Serrano (July 2002)—Baen omnibus edition of Hunting Party, Sporting Chance and Winning Colors
- The Serrano Legacy: Omnibus One (December 2006)—Orbit GB omnibus
- Esmay Suiza continuation
- Once a HeroOnce a Hero (novel)Once a Hero is a science fiction novel by Elizabeth Moon. It is the first of the three books of the Esmay Suiza trilogy in Moon's fictional Familias Regnant universe, following the three of the Heris Serrano trilogy.-Plot summary:...
(March 1997) - Rules of EngagementRules of Engagement (novel)Rules of Engagement is a science fiction novel written by Elizabeth Moon. It is the fifth in her Familias Regnant fictional universe. Following Once a Hero, it is the second novel in the informal Esmay Suiza trilogy; despite a major increase in focus on the character Brun Meager, Esmay Suiza still...
(December 1998)
- Once a Hero
- Esmay Suiza continuation
- The Serrano Connection: Omnibus Two (September 2007)—Orbit GB omnibus
- The Serrano Connection (October 2008)—Baen omnibus edition
- Suiza and Serrano
- Change of CommandChange of CommandChange of Command is a science fiction novel by Elizabeth Moon, first published in 1999. It is set in her Familias Regnant fictional universe, and is the third novel in the informal Esmay Suiza trilogy.-Plot summary:...
(December 1999) - Against the Odds (December 2000)
- Change of Command
- Suiza and Serrano
- The Serrano Succession: Omnibus Three (February 2008)—Orbit GB omnibus
Vatta's War
- Trading in Danger (September 2003)
- Marque and Reprisal (September 2004)—Moving Target in the UK, New Zealand and Australia
- Engaging The Enemy (March 2006)
- Command Decision (February 2007)
- Victory Conditions (February 2008)
The Planet Pirates Series
- The Planet Pirates is based on two books by Anne McCaffrey, Dinosaur PlanetDinosaur Planet (novel)Dinosaur Planet is a science fiction novel by the American-Irish author Anne McCaffrey.It was a paperback original published in 1978, by Orbit Books and then by Del Rey Books , the fantasy & science fiction imprints of Futura Publications and Ballantine Books respectively.A sequel followed in...
and Dinosaur Planet SurvivorsDinosaur Planet SurvivorsDinosaur Planet Survivors or Survivors: Dinosaur Planet II is a 1984 science fiction novel by Anne McCaffrey.It is the sequel to Dinosaur Planet and thus the second book in the Ireta series....
(1978 and 1984, jointly called The Mystery of Ireta), which also form the core of The Death of SleepThe Death of SleepThe Death of Sleep is a science fiction novel by Anne McCaffrey and Jody Lynn Nye.It is the second book in the Planet Pirates trilogy and continues the Ireta series initiated by McCaffrey in 1978.-Plot overview:...
.- SassinakSassinakSassinak is a science fiction novel by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Moon.It is the first book in the Planet Pirates trilogy and continues the Ireta series initiated by McCaffrey in 1978....
(March 1990), Anne McCaffreyAnne McCaffreyAnne Inez McCaffrey was an American-born Irish writer, best known for her Dragonriders of Pern series. Over the course of her 46 year career she won a Hugo Award and a Nebula Award...
& Elizabeth Moon - The Death of SleepThe Death of SleepThe Death of Sleep is a science fiction novel by Anne McCaffrey and Jody Lynn Nye.It is the second book in the Planet Pirates trilogy and continues the Ireta series initiated by McCaffrey in 1978.-Plot overview:...
(June 1990), Anne McCaffrey & Jody Lynn NyeJody Lynn NyeJody Lynn Nye is an American science fiction writer. She has frequently collaborated as a co-author or the author of a sequel.... - Generation WarriorsGeneration WarriorsGeneration Warriors is a science fiction novel by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Moon. It is the third book in the Planet Pirates trilogy and continues the Ireta series initiated by McCaffrey in 1978.-Summary:...
(February 1991), Anne McCaffrey & Elizabeth Moon
- Sassinak
Omnibus edition: The Planet Pirates (October 1993), McCaffrey, Moon, & Nye
Other novels
- Remnant PopulationRemnant PopulationRemnant Population is a 1996 science fiction novel by American writer Elizabeth Moon. The story revolves around an old woman who decides to remain behind on a colony world after the company who sent her there pulls out...
(May 1996) - The Speed of DarkThe Speed of DarkSpeed of Dark is a near-future science fiction novel by American author Elizabeth Moon. The story is told from the first person viewpoint of an autistic process analyst. It won the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 2003, and was also an Arthur C...
(October 2002)
Collections
Elizabeth Moon’s list of her own short fiction- Lunar Activity (ISBN 978-0-671-69870-6, March 1990)—Ten short stories
- Phases (ISBN 978-0-671-87855-9, December 1997)—Eight stories from Lunar Activity, and others previously uncollected.
- both include “Those Who Walk in Darkness”—a Paksenarrion short story
- Moon Flights (hardcover ISBN 1-59780-109-7, paperback ISBN 978-1-59780-110-2, August 2008)—Fifteen stories, including an original "Vatta's War" story, with an introduction by Anne McCaffrey
- The limited edition hardcover (ISBN 978-1-59780-108-9, September 2007) contains an additional rare bonus story entitled "Fencing In"
- Moon Flights (hardcover ISBN 1-59780-109-7, paperback ISBN 978-1-59780-110-2, August 2008)—Fifteen stories, including an original "Vatta's War" story, with an introduction by Anne McCaffrey
Interviews
- Christopher Dow, Elizabeth Moon's Path to the Stars, Rice UniversityRice UniversityWilliam Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
's alumni magazine, The Sallyport. Accessed 2007-09-15. - Lotesse, Interviewd (2006-08-16). wotmania.com. Accessed 2007-09-15
- Kurt Weller, Interview (2007-03-30), Plaza of the Mind, Blogspot. Accessed 2007-09-15
- Lou Antonelli, Texas author un-invited as convention Guest of Honor over remarks on Islam (2010-10-23), NewsOK
See also
- Women science fiction authorsWomen in speculative fictionWomen have always been represented among science fiction writers and fans. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley has been called the first science fiction novel, although women wrote utopian novels even before that, with Margaret Cavendish, the Duchess of Newcastle, publishing the first, The Blazing World,...
External links
- Elizabeth Moon. The Locus Index to SF Awards: Index of Literary Nominees.
- Moon's Website
- Moon's Paksworld blog
- MoonScape, Moon's personal blog at LiveJournalLiveJournalLiveJournal is a virtual community where Internet users can keep a blog, journal or diary. LiveJournal is also the name of the free and open source server software that was designed to run the LiveJournal virtual community....
- Free copies of Sheepfarmer's Daughter from the Baen Free LibraryBaen Free LibraryThe Baen Free Library is a digital library of the science fiction and fantasy publishing house Baen Books where 112 full books can be downloaded free in a number of formats, without copy protection...
. - GraphicAudio.net GraphicAudioGraphicaudioGraphicAudio is an audiobook publisher that creates "A Movie In Your Mind". The GraphicAudio format features a full cast of actors, narration, sound effects and cinematic music...
Productions of Elizabeth Moon novels - Moon Flights at Night Shade BooksNight Shade BooksNight Shade Books is an independent publishing company based in San Francisco, specializing in science fiction, fantasy, and horror. It was started in 1997 by Jason Williams, with Jeremy Lassen coming on board as a partner shortly after the company's founding...
' website