Kate Wilhelm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kate Wilhelm
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| Born | Katie Gertrude Meredith June 8, 1928 Toledo, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | March 8, 2018 (aged 89) Eugene, Oregon, U.S. |
| Occupation | Author |
| Period | 1956–2018 |
| Genre | Science fiction, mystery, fantasy |
Kate Wilhelm (born June 8, 1928 – died March 8, 2018) was an American writer. She was famous for her novels and stories. Her books were in the genres of science fiction, mystery, and suspense. One of her most well-known books was Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang, which won the Hugo Award. Kate Wilhelm also helped start the Clarion Workshop, a special place where new writers can learn and grow. She did this with her husband, Damon Knight, and another writer, Robin Scott Wilson.
Contents
Life Story
Kate Wilhelm's full name was Katie Gertrude Meredith. She was born in Toledo, Ohio. Her parents were Jesse and Ann Meredith. She finished high school in Louisville, Kentucky. Before becoming a writer, she worked many different jobs. She was a model, a telephone operator, and a sales clerk. She also worked as a switchboard operator and for an insurance company.
She married Joseph Wilhelm in 1947 and they had two sons. They later divorced in 1962. In 1963, she married Damon Knight, who was also a writer. Kate and Damon lived in Eugene, Oregon, until he passed away in 2002. She continued to live there until her own death in 2018.
Her Writing Career
Kate Wilhelm's first short story was "The Pint-Size Genie." It was published in a magazine called Fantastic in 1956. The next year, her story "The Mile-Long Spaceship" appeared in Astounding Science Fiction. She published many science fiction stories in the late 1950s.
Her first novel was a mystery called More Bitter Than Death, published in 1963. Her first science fiction novel, The Clone, came out in 1965. She wrote it with Theodore L. Thomas. This book was even nominated for the Nebula Award.
Kate Wilhelm's stories and novels appeared in many popular magazines. These included The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, Locus, Amazing Stories, and Asimov's Science Fiction. She also wrote for mystery magazines like Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.
Kate and her second husband, Damon Knight, were very important to other writers. They helped many new authors. They also started two famous writing workshops: the Clarion Writers Workshop and the Milford Writer's Workshop. After Damon's death, Kate kept hosting monthly workshops. She also gave talks at other events until she passed away.
Awards and Honors
Kate Wilhelm received many special awards for her writing. In 2003, she was added to the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. This is a big honor for writers who have made a lasting impact on these types of stories.
In 2009, she received the Solstice Award. This award recognizes people who have greatly influenced the world of science fiction or fantasy. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America gives out this award.
Kate Wilhelm even helped design the trophy for the Nebula Award.
She won several awards for her specific works:
- For her short story "The Planners," she won the Nebula Award for Best Short Story in 1968.
- Her novel Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang won two major awards in 1977: the Hugo Award for Best Novel and the Locus Award for Best Novel. It was also nominated for the Nebula Award.
- Her novelette "The Girl Who Fell into the Sky" won the Nebula Award for Best Novelette in 1986.
- Her short story "Forever Yours, Anna" won the Nebula Award for Best Short Story in 1987.
- Her non-fiction book, Storyteller: Writing Lessons and More from 27 Years of the Clarion Writers' Workshop, won the Hugo Award and Locus Award in 2006.
In 2016, the Solstice Award was renamed the Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award in her honor. This shows how important she was to the science fiction and fantasy community.
Her Books
Kate Wilhelm wrote many books across different genres. Here are some of her most famous series and standalone novels.
Barbara Holloway Mysteries
This series features Barbara Holloway, a lawyer in Eugene, Oregon. She and her father, Frank Holloway, solve mysteries. These books mix detective work with exciting courtroom scenes.
- Death Qualified: A Mystery of Chaos (1991)
- The Best Defense (1994)
- Defense for the Devil (1999)
- No Defense (2000)
- Desperate Measures (2001)
- A Wrongful Death (2007)
- Cold Case (2008)
- Heaven is High (2011)
- Mirror, Mirror (2017)
Constance Leidl and Charlie Meiklejohn Mysteries
In this series, Charlie Meiklejohn is a former detective who becomes a private investigator. His wife, Constance Leidl, is a psychologist. They work together to solve difficult cases.
- The Hamlet Trap (1987)
- The Dark Door (1988)
- Smart House (1989)
- Sweet, Sweet Poison (1990)
- Seven Kinds of Death (1992)
- Whisper Her Name (2012)
Standalone Mystery and Suspense Novels
Kate Wilhelm also wrote many mystery and suspense novels that were not part of a series.
- More Bitter Than Death (1962)
- The Clewiston Test (1976)
- Fault Lines (1977)
- Oh, Susannah! (1982)
- Justice for Some (1993)
- The Good Children (1998)
- The Deepest Water (2000)
- Skeletons: A Novel of Suspense (2002)
- The Price of Silence (2005)
- Death of an Artist (2012)
Science Fiction Novels and Stories
Kate Wilhelm was also well-known for her science fiction work.
- The Mile-Long Spaceship (1963)
- The Clone (1965)
- The Nevermore Affair (1966)
- The Killing Thing (1967)
- The Planners (1968) – Nebula Award winner
- Let the Fire Fall (1969)
- The Year of the Cloud (1970)
- Margaret and I (1971)
- The Infinity Box (1975)
- Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang (1976) – Hugo and Locus Award winner
- Juniper Time (1979)
- Welcome, Chaos (1983)
- Huysman's Pets (1985)
- Forever Yours, Anna (1987) – Nebula Award winner
- Crazy Time (1988)
- Children of the Wind (1989)
- Cambio Bay (1990)
- And the Angels Sing (1992)
- I Know What You're Thinking (1994)
Non-fiction
- Storyteller: Writing Lessons & More from 27 Years of the Clarion Writers' Workshop (2005)
Editor
Kate Wilhelm also helped edit collections of stories by other authors.
- Clarion SF – an anthology of short stories
- Nebula Award Stories 9 - a collection of Nebula Award-winning stories
See also
In Spanish: Kate Wilhelm para niños
