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Molly Gloss

モリー・グロス

Molly Gloss

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1944-11-20 （Oregon (rural), United States）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Portland, Oregon, United States

Career

Occupations
Writer, Academic (creative writing faculty)
Active Years
1970-
Affiliations
Portland State University (faculty), Pacific University MFA program (faculty)
Influenced By
Ursula K. Le Guin
Nominations
PEN/Faulkner Award (The Jump‑Off Creek), Hugo Award for Best Short Story ("Lambing Season"), Nebula Award for Best Short Story ("Lambing Season")

Awards

Ken Kesey Award (Oregon Book Award)
1990
Work: The Jump‑Off Creek
Organization: Oregon Book Awards
Result: winner
Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award
1990
Work: The Jump‑Off Creek
Organization: Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association
Result: winner
Whiting Award
1996
Category: フィクション
Organization: Whiting Foundation
Result: winner
James Tiptree, Jr. Award (Otherwise Award)
2000
Work: Wild Life
Organization: James Tiptree Jr. Literary Award Council
Result: winner
Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award
2013
Work: "The Grinnell Method"
Category: 短編
Organization: Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award Committee
Result: winner
C.E.S. Wood Award
2021
Organization: Oregon literary organizations
Result: winner
World Fantasy Award (finalist)
2020
Work: Unforeseen
Organization: World Fantasy Award organization
Result: finalist
Oregon Book Award (finalist)
2008
Work: The Hearts of Horses
Organization: Oregon Book Awards
Result: finalist

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Outside the Gates

1986 Science fiction

A science fiction novel depicting a young woman's survival in a post-apocalyptic world, exploring societal collapse and personal resilience.

survivalcommunity rebuilding

The Jump‑Off Creek

1989 Historical fiction

Set in late 19th-century Oregon, this novel sensitively portrays a woman's independence and frontier life, focusing on family and relationship to the land.

western frontierfemale independenceland and livelihood

The Dazzle of Day

1998 Science fiction / social novel

A novel about migration and communal life, exploring the intersection of religion and science and the values within a future community.

communityfaith vs. science

Wild Life

2000 Historical fiction

A narrative intertwining remote nature and human relationships, noted for its insights into gender roles.

nature and human relationshipsgender

The Hearts of Horses

2007 Historical fiction

Set in the American West during World War II, the novel follows a woman's growth through her connections with horses and the local community.

wartime lifecoming of agehuman-animal bonds

Falling from Horses

2014 Historical fiction

A work continuing related themes of place and family, dealing with loss and renewal; presented as stories or a novel-length work.

loss and renewalfamily

Unforeseen

2019 Short fiction collection / speculative

A collection of short fiction featuring human relationships, community, and quietly strange speculative imagination.

communitydefamiliarization of everyday life

Bibliography

  • Outside the Gates
  • The Jump‑Off Creek
  • The Dazzle of Day
  • Wild Life
  • The Hearts of Horses
  • Falling from Horses
  • Unforeseen

Style & Themes

Literary Style
narrative, detailed historical depictionquiet, observant proseemphasis on natural description
Recurring Motifs
western frontier and landrelationships with horses/animalsgender and social roles

Legacy

Molly Gloss is regarded for skillfully blending historical fiction and speculative (science fiction) elements, occupying an important place at the intersection of American western literature and contemporary SF. Her sensitive portrayals of women's experiences and relationships with the land have influenced many writers and readers.

Archives

  • University of Oregon: Guide to the Molly Gloss papers

Quotes

  • "I began writing seriously when I became a mother."
    Source: Official site ("On becoming a writer") (2007)

Trivia

  • Was close friends with Ursula K. Le Guin.
  • Taught writing and literature of the American West at Portland State University and Pacific University MFA program.
  • "Lambing Season" was nominated for both the Hugo and Nebula Awards.