Kevin O'Donnell Jr. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kevin O'Donnell Jr.
O'Donnell in 1986
Born	(1950-11-29)November 29, 1950 Cleveland, Ohio, US
Died	November 7, 2012(2012-11-07) (aged 61) Cleveland, Ohio
Occupation	Writer
Relatives	Kevin O'Donnell (father)

Kevin O'Donnell Jr. (born November 29, 1950 – died November 7, 2012) was an American writer who loved to create exciting science fiction stories. His father, also named Kevin O'Donnell, was important in a group called the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps helps people in other countries.

About Kevin O'Donnell Jr.

His Life and Achievements

Kevin O'Donnell Jr. finished his studies at Yale University in 1972. After that, he started writing. He wrote many short stories, more than seventy of them! These stories appeared in popular magazines like Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine and Omni.

Many of his short stories were also collected in special books called anthologies. These collections featured stories by different authors. His work was enjoyed not just in the United States, but also in countries like the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

He wrote ten books in America. One of his novels, ORA:CLE, was published in 1984. When it was translated into French, it won a special award in France called the 1987 Prix Litteraire Mannesmann Tally. This shows how much people liked his writing around the world.

Helping Science Fiction Writers

Kevin O'Donnell Jr. was also very involved with a group called the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA). This group helps and supports science fiction writers. From 1990 to 1991, he was the head of the jury for the Nebula Award. This is a very important award given to the best science fiction and fantasy stories.

He led the Nebula Award Committee for many years, from 1990 to 1998. He also helped manage the SFWA's magazine, the Bulletin. For a while in the late 1990s, he even helped keep the SFWA's website working.

Later, he became the head of the SFWA's Grievance Committee. This committee helps writers with problems they might have. He did this job until 2005. Because he helped the SFWA so much, he received the Service to SFWA Award in 2005. After he passed away, this award was even renamed in his honor.

Kevin O'Donnell Jr. died in Cleveland, Ohio, on November 7, 2012. He was 61 years old.

His Books and Stories

Kevin O'Donnell Jr. wrote many exciting science fiction novels and short stories.

Novels

Here are some of the novels he wrote:

• Bander Snatch (1979)
• Mayflies (1979)
• Caverns (1981) – This was the first book in a series called The Journeys of McGill Feighan.
• Reefs (1981) – The second book in the McGill Feighan series.
• War of Omission (1982)
• Lava (1982) – The third book in the McGill Feighan series.
• ORA:CLE (1984) – This book won an award in France.
• Cliffs (1986) – The fourth book in the McGill Feighan series.
• The Shelter (1987) – He wrote this book with Mary Kittredge.
• Fire on the Border (1990)

Non-fiction

He also wrote one non-fiction book:

• The Electronic Money Machine (1984) – He wrote this with The Haven Group.

Short Stories

Kevin O'Donnell Jr. was very good at writing short stories. He published more than seventy of them in various magazines. Here are a few examples of his many short stories:

• "The Hand Is Quicker" (1973)
• "Alternate" (1975)
• "The Tripper" (1975)
• "Shattered Hopes, Broken Dreams" (1976)
• "A Matter of Pride" (1976)
• "Night Shift" (1977)
• "Low Grade Ore" (1977)
• "The Gift of Prometheus" (1978)
• "Quinera 3" (1978)
• "The Dead of Winter" (1979)
• "Marchianna" (1980)
• "Bloodsong" (1980) – Written with Barry B Longyear.
• "Thy Neighbor's Assets" (1985)
• "Raccoons" (1986)
• "Rock Garden" (1986)
• "Future's Puppet" (1989)
• "The Original Magic" (1990)
• "An Appetite for Power" (1997)