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Nancy Kress

ナンシー・クレス

Nanshī Kuresu

Aliases: Nancy Anne Koningisor
Pen Names: Anna Kendall（Used for fantasy works）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1948-01-20 （Buffalo, New York, U.S.）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
East Aurora, New York (grew up) → Rochester, New York (residence) → Leipzig (Picador Guest Professor, 2008/09) → Seattle (since 2009)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Columnist, English teacher
Active Years
1976-
Affiliations
Clarion Workshops (regular participant), University of Leipzig, Institute for American Studies (Picador Guest Professorship), Writer's Digest (columnist)
Memberships
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)

Education

State University of New York at Plattsburgh (SUNY Plattsburgh)
Graduate School / English
Degree: M.A.
Period: 不明
Country: United States
Graduated with an M.A. in English

Awards

Nebula Award for Best Short Story
1986
Work: Out of All Them Bright Stars
Category: 最優秀短編
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)
Result: 受賞
Nebula Award for Best Novella
1991
Work: Beggars in Spain
Category: 最優秀中編
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)
Result: 受賞
Nebula Award for Best Novelette
1998
Work: The Flowers of Aulit Prison
Category: 最優秀ノヴェレット
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)
Result: 受賞
Nebula Award for Best Novella
2007
Work: Fountain of Age
Category: 最優秀中編
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)
Result: 受賞
Nebula Award for Best Novella
2013
Work: After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall
Category: 最優秀中編
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)
Result: 受賞
Nebula Award for Best Novella
2015
Work: Yesterday's Kin
Category: 最優秀中編
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)
Result: 受賞
Hugo Award for Best Novella
1992
Work: Beggars in Spain
Category: Best Novella
Organization: World Science Fiction Society (WSFS)
Result: 受賞
Hugo Award for Best Novella
2009
Work: The Erdmann Nexus
Category: Best Novella
Organization: World Science Fiction Society (WSFS)
Result: 受賞
John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel
2003
Work: Probability Space
Category: Best Novel
Organization: John W. Campbell Memorial Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Theodore Sturgeon Award for Best Short Science Fiction
1997
Work: The Flowers of Aulit Prison
Category: Best Short Science Fiction
Organization: Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Beggars in Spain

1991 Science fiction

Explores genetically modified 'Sleepless' people who do not require sleep and the social and ethical tensions that arise; originally a novella later expanded into a novel.

genetic engineeringhuman rightssocial inequalityethics

Probability Space

2002 Science fiction

A novel examining technological and social changes in a near-future setting, focusing on individual choices and probabilistic outcomes.

future societychoice and consequenceimpact of technology

The Flowers of Aulit Prison

1996 Short science fiction

A short story dealing with imprisoned women and their environment, exploring social oppression and human relationships.

prisonhuman relationshipssocial oppression

Fountain of Age

2007 Novella / Science fiction

A novella dealing with aging, lifespan, and the ethics of technological solutions.

agingethicslimits of technology

The Erdmann Nexus

2008 Novella / Science fiction

A novella exploring the intersections of science, technology and society.

science and technologysocial impact

After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall

2012 Novella / Science fiction

A novella themed around time, memory, collapse and recovery, notable for its structural and perspective choices.

timememorycollapse and recovery

Yesterday's Kin

2014 Novella / Science fiction

A novella addressing humanity, relationships with otherness, evolution and ethics.

othernessevolutionethics

Bibliography

  • Beggars in Spain (novella/novel)
  • Probability Space
  • Fountain of Age
  • After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall
  • Yesterday's Kin
  • The Erdmann Nexus
  • The Flowers of Aulit Prison
  • The Best of Nancy Kress

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Hard science fictionTechnically realistic proseNear-future realism
Recurring Motifs
genetic engineeringartificial intelligencesocial and ethical dilemmasballet (as motif)invented technical terms (e.g., genemod, foamcast)

Legacy

Nancy Kress is highly regarded for hard SF that frequently examines genetic engineering and ethics. A multiple Nebula and Hugo award winner, she is known for mastery of short and novella forms and has influenced writers through Clarion Workshops and teaching.

Academic Societies

  • Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)

Archives

  • Library of Congress (LCCN: n82237454)

Quotes

  • [Sheffield] pronounces it 'science', and I pronounce it 'science fiction.'
    Source: Locus (interview) (2010)

Trivia

  • Birth name: Nancy Anne Koningisor.
  • Uses the pen name Anna Kendall for fantasy.
  • Regular columnist for Writer's Digest.
  • Frequent participant/instructor at Clarion Workshops.
  • Served as Picador Guest Professor at the University of Leipzig in 2008/09.
  • Moved to Seattle in 2009.
  • Blog has been inactive since February 2013.
  • Marriages: Michael Kress (1973–1984), Marcos Donnelly (1988–1994), Charles Sheffield (1998–2002), Jack Skillingstead (2011–present).
  • Has records at the Library of Congress (LCCN: n82237454).