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Melinda M. Snodgrass

メリンダ・M・スノッドグラス

Melinda M. Snodgrass

Pen Names: Phillipa Bornikova（Used for the Linnet Ellery mystery series）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1951-11-27 （Los Angeles, California, U.S.）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Los Angeles (birthplace) → Santa Fe, New Mexico (residence)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Screenwriter, Television writer
Active Years
1984-
Influenced By
George R. R. Martin

Education

University of New Mexico
Department of History
Degree: B.A.（歴史）
Country: United States
Degree in history
University of New Mexico School of Law
School of Law
Degree: J.D.
Country: United States
Juris Doctor (J.D.). Legal experience informed her fiction.

Awards

Screenwriting Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker, Life, the Universe, & Everything
2021
Organization: Life, the Universe, & Everything (LTUE) symposium
Result: ゲスト・オブ・オナー

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Circuit

1986 Science fiction

First book of a near-future trilogy in which corporate and military technologies intersect; explores the social impact of technology and ethical dilemmas.

technology and societycorporate powerethics and responsibility

Circuit Breaker

1987 Science fiction

Second volume of the Circuit trilogy, continuing to examine conflicts between technology and power.

surveillance and controlmilitary and corporate interestsindividual freedom

Final Circuit

1988 Science fiction

Final book of the trilogy, dealing with technological crises and their social consequences while following the characters' decisions.

crisis managementethical choicessocial change

The Tears of the Singers

1984 Star Trek tie-in science fiction

A Star Trek tie-in novel that explores character conflicts and larger-scale threats within the series' universe.

space adventuremoral dilemmasinterpersonal relationships

The Measure of a Man

1989 Television script / Science fiction

A well-known Star Trek: The Next Generation episode that stages a hearing to determine the android Data's autonomy and personhood.

personhood and rightsethics of artificial intelligencelaw and morality
Adaptations
  • [HD remaster / extended cut] The Measure of a Man (extended cut) (2012)

Double Solitaire

1992 Anthology / Collaborative (Wild Cards)

A collaborative volume in the Wild Cards shared-world series edited by George R. R. Martin; Snodgrass contributed stories.

shared-world storytellingsuperhero motifscollaborative writing

This Case Is Gonna Kill Me

2012 Mystery / Legal fiction

First book in the Linnet Ellery series, written under the pen name Phillipa Bornikova; legal mystery drawing on the author's experience as a lawyer.

law and justiceprofessional ethicsmystery

The Edge of Reason

2008 Speculative fiction / Science fiction

First book in The Edge series; a novel interweaving political and social themes.

politics and personal relationshipsmoral choicessocial change

The High Ground

2016 Space opera / Political science fiction

First book in The Imperials Saga; begins a series that examines imperial politics and the morality of war.

imperial politicsethics of warpower structures

Bibliography

  • The Tears of the Singers (1984)
  • Circuit (1986)
  • Circuit Breaker (1987)
  • Final Circuit (1988)
  • Runespear (with Victor Milán, 1987)
  • Queen's Gambit Declined (1989)
  • Double Solitaire (Wild Cards, 1992)
  • The Edge of Reason (2008)
  • The Edge of Ruin (2010)
  • The Edge of Dawn (2015)
  • The High Ground (The Imperials Saga, 2016)
  • In Evil Times (2017)
  • The Hidden World (2018)
  • Currency of War (2019)
  • The Thucydides Trap (2023)
  • This Case Is Gonna Kill Me (as Phillipa Bornikova, 2012)
  • Box Office Poison (as Phillipa Bornikova, 2013)
  • Publish and Perish (as Phillipa Bornikova, 2018)
  • Selected short fiction (Wild Cards series and other anthologies)

Adaptations

  • Star Trek: The Next Generation episode 'The Measure of a Man' extended/HD release (2012)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Realistic prose incorporating legal and procedural detailDialogue-driven style reflecting screenwriting experienceTendency to focus on political and ethical issues
Recurring Motifs
law and ethicspower and politicsrelationship between technology and societyindividual identity

Legacy

Melinda M. Snodgrass is recognized as a television writer and science fiction author, best known for her Star Trek: The Next Generation scripts and contributions to the Wild Cards shared-world series; her legal background gives her fiction a distinctive perspective.

Archives

  • Wikidata (Q3196860)

In Popular Culture

  • Held in esteem within Star Trek fandom for her TNG contributions
  • Influential contributor within the Wild Cards shared-world community

Trivia

  • Lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
  • An equestrian who competes in dressage in her spare time.
  • Writes the Linnet Ellery mystery series under the pen name Phillipa Bornikova.
  • Saved a VHS cassette of the Star Trek: TNG episode 'The Measure of a Man', which helped enable an extended HD release.