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Ann Leckie

アン・レッキー

An Rekkī

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1966-03-02 (Toledo, Ohio, USA)
Died
null
Nationality
American
Languages
English
Residence History
St. Louis, Missouri, USA → Toledo, Ohio, USA (birthplace)

Career

Occupations
Author, Novelist
Active Years
2006-
Affiliations
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), PodCastle (assistant editor), Giganotosaurus (editor, 2010–2013)
Memberships
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)
Influenced By
Octavia E. Butler

Education

Washington University in St. Louis
Music / Music
Degree: 学士(音楽)
Year of Graduation: 1989
Country: United States
Degree in music; later pursued a career as a writer.

Awards

Nebula Award for Best Novel
2013
Work: Ancillary Justice
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Result: won
BSFA Award for Best Novel
2013
Work: Ancillary Justice
Organization: British Science Fiction Association
Result: won
Kitschies Golden Tentacle (Debut)
2013
Work: Ancillary Justice
Category: Debut
Organization: The Kitschies
Result: won
Hugo Award for Best Novel
2014
Work: Ancillary Justice
Organization: World Science Fiction Society (Worldcon / WSFS)
Result: won
Arthur C. Clarke Award
2014
Work: Ancillary Justice
Organization: Arthur C. Clarke Award
Result: won
Locus Award for Best First Novel
2014
Work: Ancillary Justice
Category: Best First Novel
Organization: Locus
Result: won
BSFA Award for Best Novel
2014
Work: Ancillary Sword
Organization: British Science Fiction Association
Result: won
Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel
2015
Work: Ancillary Sword
Organization: Locus
Result: won
Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel
2016
Work: Ancillary Mercy
Organization: Locus
Result: won
Hugo Award for Best Series
2024
Work: Imperial Radch (series)
Category: Best Series
Organization: World Science Fiction Society (Worldcon / WSFS)
Result: won
Locus Award for Best Collection
2025
Work: Lake of Souls (collection)
Category: Best Collection
Organization: Locus
Result: won
Hugo Award for Best Novel (nominated)
2018
Work: Provenance
Organization: World Science Fiction Society (Worldcon / WSFS)
Result: nominated

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Ancillary Justice

2013 Science fiction (space opera)

Follows Breq, the sole surviving ancillary of a starship's AI, as she seeks revenge against the ruler of the Radch empire. Explores consciousness, gender, and power.

artificial consciousnessgender and pronounsempire and poweridentity and revenge

Ancillary Sword

2014 Science fiction (space opera)

Sequel to Ancillary Justice. Breq navigates political conflicts and interpersonal relationships in a new posting, examining power dynamics.

politics and governanceindividual vs collective consciousnessloyalty and ethics

Ancillary Mercy

2015 Science fiction (space opera)

Final volume of the Imperial Radch trilogy. Breq and allies confront the nature of the empire and make consequential decisions about duty and justice.

justice and responsibilitycollapse and reconfiguration of empireindividual and collective

Provenance

2017 Science fiction (set in the Imperial Radch universe)

A standalone novel set in the Imperial Radch universe that deals with provenance, origins, forgeries, and political intrigue.

provenance and originspolitical intrigueculture and identity

The Raven Tower

2019 Fantasy

Leckie's first fantasy novel. Interweaves gods, politics, and storytelling to examine relations between humans and powerful entities.

myth and powernarrative and truthpolitical maneuvering

Translation State

2023 Science fiction (set in the Imperial Radch universe)

Another story set in the Imperial Radch universe. Focuses on diplomacy, translation, and communication challenges.

translation and communicationdiplomacy and cultural clash

Lake of Souls (collection)

2024 Short fiction collection

A collection of short fiction, gathering stories of various themes and tones.

varied themesshort fiction

Bibliography

  • Ancillary Justice (2013)
  • Ancillary Sword (2014)
  • Ancillary Mercy (2015)
  • Provenance (2017)
  • The Raven Tower (2019)
  • Translation State (2023)
  • Lake of Souls (collection, 2024)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
detailed worldbuildingcalm, observational narrative voicepresentation of political and ethical dilemmas
Recurring Motifs
consciousness and selfpronouns and questions of genderempire and power structures

Legacy

Ann Leckie is recognized for sweeping major English-language science fiction awards with Ancillary Justice and for significantly influencing modern space opera and discussions of gender representation.

Academic Societies

  • Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)

Trivia

  • Attended Clarion West Writers Workshop in 2005 and studied under Octavia E. Butler.
  • Holds a degree in music (Washington University in St. Louis, 1989).
  • Started drafting Ancillary Justice during NaNoWriMo 2002.
  • Served as editor of Giganotosaurus and assistant editor at PodCastle.
  • Married with a son and daughter; lives in St. Louis.