Connie Willis Award Winning Author
Multiple Winner of Science Fiction's Nebula and Hugo Awards
Nov 2, 2009
Well known for her comedy of manners style of science fiction writing, Connie Willis has written ten novels and six short story collections in addition to numerous other short stories. Her work has won her a record number of awards, and she is the only author to date to have won the Hugo and the Nebula in all four categories of science fiction writing: novels, novella, short story, and novelette.
Brief Biography
Willis was born Constance Elaine Trimmer on December 31, 1945 in Denver, CO. When she was twelve, her mother died. To escape the platitudes people offered for comfort, Willis escaped into books. This loss has led her to explore heavier topics than perhaps she would have, such as near death experiences in Passage (2001).
Willis attended Colorado State College, where she earned a BA in English and Elementary Education in 1967. Always intending to be a writer, she decided to pursue teaching in order to support herself. She taught elementary school for two years before staying home to raise her daughter, Cordelia Willis, and to write. She is married to Courtney Willis and resides in Greeley, CO.
Hugo Awards
The Hugo Awards were first awarded in 1953. They are awarded for excellence in science fiction and fantasy writing by the members of the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS). Willis has won ten Hugos for:
- Fire Watch, novelette, 1983
- The Last of the Winnebagos, novella, 1989
- Doomsday Book, novel, 1993
- Even the Queen, short story, 1993
- Death on the Nile, short story, 1994
- The Soul Selects Her Own Society: Invasion and Repulsion: A Chronological Reinterpretation of Two of Emily Dickinson's Poems: A Wellsian Perspective, short story, 1997
- To Say Nothing of the Dog, novel, 1999
- The Winds of Marble Arch, novella, 2000
- Inside Job, novella, 2006
- All Seated on the Ground, novella, 2008
Nebula Awards
The Nebula Awards are also awarded for excellence in science fiction, but they are voted on and awarded by the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA). The works Willis has won a Nebula Award for are:
- Fire Watch, novelette, 1983
- A Letter from the Clearys, short story, 1983
- The Last of the Winnebagos, novella, 1989
- At the Rialto, novelette, 1990
- Doomsday Book, novel, 1993
- Even the Queen, short story, 1993
Other Awards
Willis has also won the Locus Award (awarded by the readers of Locus Magazine) for:
- Doomsday Book, novel, 1993
- Even the Queen, short story, 1993
- Close Encounter, short story, 1994
- Impossible Things, collection, 1994
- Remake, novella, 1996
- Bellwether, novella, 1997
- Newsletter, novelette, 1998
- To Say Nothing of the Dog, novel, 1999
- Passage, SF novel, 2001
- The Winds of Marble Arch, collection, 2008
Other Awards
She has also won a World Fantasy Award for Lincoln's Dreams, 1988, and she was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2009.
Influences and Themes
Robert Heinlein is the author Willis most often cites as having influenced her. She also credits Zenna Henderson, Kit Reed, Fredric Brown, Shirley Jackson, and Damon Knight with influencing her work.
Most of Willis's books are filled with wit and humor. The protagonist is usually a scientist, and her novels are frequently about time travel or scientific theories such as chaos theory.
Ms. Willis's official website keeps readers updated on her latest books and appearances.
Sources
Hour of the Wolf Author interview: Connie Willis.
Wikipedia article: Connie Willis.
The New England Science Fiction Association Boskone Program: Connie Willis.
Connie Willis Biography at Answers.com
Brief Biographies: Connie Willis
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