Kij Johnson
Encyclopedia
Kij Johnson is an American
writer
of fantasy
. She has worked extensively in publishing: managing editor for Tor Books
and Wizards of the Coast
/TSR
, collections editor for Dark Horse Comics
, and content manager working on the Microsoft Reader
. In her time at Wizards of the Coast/TSR, she was also continuity manager for Magic: The Gathering
and creative director for AD&D settings Greyhawk
and Forgotten Realms
.
She is an associate director for the Center for the Study of Science Fiction
at the University of Kansas
, and serves as a final judge for the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award.
Johnson is the author of three novels and more than 30 short works of fiction. She is best known for her adaptations of Heian
-era Japanese myths
. She is the winner of the 1994 Theodore Sturgeon Award
for her story "Fox Magic," the 2001 Crawford Award
from the International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts for best new fantasist, the 2008 World Fantasy Award
for her story "26 Monkeys, Also the Abyss," and the 2009 Nebula Award
for the story "Spar
". She has been a finalist for the 2009 and 2010 Hugo Award
s, the 2008, 2009, and 2010 Nebula Award
s and the 2004, 2008, and 2009 World Fantasy Award
s. Her novel Fudoki was declared one of the best SF/F novels of 2003 by Publishers Weekly
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
of 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...
. She has worked extensively in publishing: managing editor for Tor Books
Tor Books
Tor Books is one of two imprints of Tom Doherty Associates LLC, based in New York City. It is noted for its science fiction and fantasy titles. Tom Doherty Associates also publishes mainstream fiction, mystery, and occasional military history titles under its Forge imprint. The company was founded...
and Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
/TSR
TSR, Inc.
Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
, collections editor for Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
, and content manager working on the Microsoft Reader
Microsoft Reader
Microsoft Reader is a Microsoft program for the reading of e-books, originally released in August 2000.Microsoft Reader is available for download from Microsoft as a free program for computers running Windows. It can also be used on a Pocket PC, where it has been built into the ROM since Windows CE...
. In her time at Wizards of the Coast/TSR, she was also continuity manager for Magic: The Gathering
Magic: The Gathering
Magic: The Gathering , also known as Magic, is the first collectible trading card game created by mathematics professor Richard Garfield and introduced in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast. Magic continues to thrive, with approximately twelve million players as of 2011...
and creative director for AD&D settings Greyhawk
Greyhawk
Greyhawk, also known as the World of Greyhawk, is a fictional world designed as a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game...
and Forgotten Realms
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
.
She is an associate director for the Center for the Study of Science Fiction
Center for the Study of Science Fiction
The Center for the Study of Science Fiction is an educational institution, associated with the University of Kansas, that emerged out of the science-fiction programs that James Gunn created there beginning in 1970....
at the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
, and serves as a final judge for the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award.
Johnson is the author of three novels and more than 30 short works of fiction. She is best known for her adaptations of Heian
Heian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
-era Japanese myths
Japanese mythology
Japanese mythology is a system of beliefs that embraces Shinto and Buddhist traditions as well as agriculturally based folk religion. The Shinto pantheon comprises innumerable kami...
. She is the winner of the 1994 Theodore Sturgeon Award
Theodore Sturgeon Award
The Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award is given each year for the best science fiction short story of the year and is the short fiction counterpart of the Campbell award , published in English....
for her story "Fox Magic," the 2001 Crawford Award
Crawford Award
The IAFA William L. Crawford Fantasy Award is a literary award given to a writer whose first fantasy book was published during the preceding 18 months. It's one of several awards presented by the International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts , and is presented at the conference each...
from the International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts for best new fantasist, the 2008 World Fantasy Award
World Fantasy Award
The World Fantasy Awards are annual, international awards given to authors and artists who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of fantasy...
for her story "26 Monkeys, Also the Abyss," and the 2009 Nebula Award
Nebula Award
The 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 the story "Spar
Spar (short story)
"Spar" is a science fiction short story by Kij Johnson; it won the 2009 Nebula Award for short story, and was short-listed for the 2010 Hugo Awards.It was first published in Clarkesworld.-Synopsis:...
". She has been a finalist for the 2009 and 2010 Hugo Award
Hugo Award
The 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...
s, the 2008, 2009, and 2010 Nebula Award
Nebula Award
The 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...
s and the 2004, 2008, and 2009 World Fantasy Award
World Fantasy Award
The World Fantasy Awards are annual, international awards given to authors and artists who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of fantasy...
s. Her novel Fudoki was declared one of the best SF/F novels of 2003 by Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
.
Other published works
- Essay, "This I Believe", aired on National Public Radio's Weekend Edition, August 31, 2008
- Essay, "Sturgeon and the Sturgeons", afterword for anthology of Sturgeon Award–winning fiction, forthcoming
- Poem, "Why She Howls: A Coyote Love Story", Journal of Mythic Arts, Winter 2006
- Comic script, "The Painted Horse", illus. Mike Dringenberg, in Dark Horse Presents, Dark Horse Comics, 1995
- Essay, "Collections: The Whole Story", Dark Horse Comics Tipsheet #4, April 1993
- Mirage: Oasis (web game for Magic: The Gathering trading card game)
- Battletech: Last Stand at Hanover (web game for Battletech trading card game)
- Weatherlight: Legacy (web game for Magic: The Gathering trading card game)
- Tempest: Into the Storm (web game for Magic: The Gathering trading card game)
External links
- Interview at Clarkesworld MagazineClarkesworld MagazineClarkesworld Magazine is an American online fantasy and science fiction magazine. The first issue was published October 1, 2006 and it has maintained a regular monthly schedule since, publishing fiction by authors such as Sarah Monette, Catherynne Valente, Elizabeth Bear, Caitlin R...
, March 2010