About me . . .
When I was in junior high, I was the kind of kid who loved writing assignments. Essays, school newspaper, reports on Argentina or amphibians (due Friday!– everyone groans, except Kay, who nods, Oh yeah.) And, of course, book reports. At that age you hate to be different, but the siren call of writing already had me in its embrace. It took me awhile to find my footing and confidence to write for publication and when I did, I went straight for the literature of the fantastic.
With Louise Marley and Sharon Shinn.
No, I don’t know why I write it. I love all kinds of books, including literary, historical epics, spy novels, popular science, history (particularly World War II) and biographies. But stories of fantasy, magic realism, and science fiction are my favorites. Science fiction and fantasy (SF/F) welcomed me into a community of people whom I count as my closest friends. It was one of my biggest surprises in the writing life, that far from being competitive and exclusive, the writing and publishing community in SF/F is supportive, fascinating–and thick as thieves.
I live in Wenatchee Washington, across the Cascade mountains from Seattle, or what is affectionately known as “the dark side” of the state. On the sunny side of the state, I have a home with my husband Tom Overcast and a large orange cat. We have sons in Seattle, Olympia and San Diego. I spend part of each winter in Southern California, halfway between San Diego and Palm Springs. Desert country. A great place to write.
Mentor and friend, Mike Resnick at World Fantasy in San Diego.
With Jay Lake at RadCon.
I suppose I’m best known for my world-building. After 10 science fiction novels, my first fantasy novel, A Thousand Perfect Things, is forthcoming in August, 2013. My only series (so far) is the sci-fantasy quartet, The Entire and The Rose. In this series, Bright of the Sky was one of Publishers Weekly’s top books of 2007. Other novels include The Braided World, a John W. Campbell finalist, and Maximum Ice, a Philip K. Dick Award finalist. My short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies including Insider Magazine for Wizards of the Coast. “Castoff World” appeared in The Year’s Best SF 16, and my most recent short story, “The Spires of Greme,” is included in the new anthology, Solaris Rising 2. I am a founding board member of Write on the River, a writer’s organization in North Central Washington.
At the mic with J.A. Jance and her dog, Write on the River 2013. Photo credit: Harry Brink
Two people this month have told me that I have recurring themes in my writing. One said that I write about the conflict of cultures (perhaps inherent in the science fiction genre?) and the other person said father-daughter relationships. Hmm. No idea what that’s about–except that all stories, whether mundane or fantastical, are primarily about people, and people are deeply connected with each other and most of all within families.
Signing a robot at Orycon. It happens.
If you have questions, I try to answer all my messages on Facebook. Thanks for visiting!
Interviews and Extras
April 2011 interview on SFWA website
Kay’s You Tube interview on getting started.
Podcast interview from Shaun Farrell’s Adventures in Sci Publishing.
Appearances
- World Science Fiction Convention
San Antonio, Texas
I'll be at LoneStarCon 3 to see friends, sit in on panels, and read from my latest book, A Thousand Perfect Things, my first fantasy. Watch this space for my panel schedule, and see you in San Antonio!
Aug 29, 2013 9:00am - Sep 2, 2013 9:00am - OryCon 35
Portland OR
Oregon's major science fiction and fantasy conference. Panels, signings, dealers room and books!
Nov 8, 2013 8:00am - Nov 10, 2013 5:00pm
