World Literary Awards

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Tim Powers

ティム・パワーズ

Timu Pawāzu

Pen Names: William Ashbless（Joint pen name with James P. Blaylock）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1952-02-29 （Buffalo, New York, U.S.）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Religion
Catholic
Residence History
Buffalo, New York → California (since 1959) → Muscoy, California

Career

Occupations
Writer, Novelist
Active Years
1976-
Affiliations
Orange County High School of the Arts, California School of the Arts - San Gabriel Valley, Chapman University, University of Redlands
Influenced By
James Blaylock, K. W. Jeter, Philip K. Dick
Influenced
M. M. Buckner
Nominations
Locus Fantasy Award nominee 1984 (The Anubis Gates), BSFA nominee 1985 (The Anubis Gates), Nebula Award nominee 1985 (Dinner at Deviant's Palace)

Education

California State University, Fullerton
English Literature
Degree: B.A.
Year of Graduation: 1976
Country: United States

Awards

Philip K. Dick Award
1984
Work: The Anubis Gates
Organization: Philip K. Dick Award
Result: winner
Philip K. Dick Award
1986
Work: Dinner at Deviant's Palace
Organization: Philip K. Dick Award
Result: winner
World Fantasy Award
1993
Work: Last Call
Category: Novel
Organization: World Fantasy Convention
Result: winner
Mythopoeic Fantasy Award
1990
Work: The Stress of Her Regard
Organization: Mythopoeic Society
Result: winner
World Fantasy Award
2001
Work: Declare
Category: Novel
Organization: World Fantasy Convention
Result: winner
Locus Award
1998
Work: Earthquake Weather
Category: Fantasy Novel
Organization: Locus Magazine
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Anubis Gates

1983 Fantasy

A time-travel fantasy set in 19th-century London involving ancient Egyptian magic.

time traveloccultsecret history
Translations
  • Published in many languages

On Stranger Tides

1987 Fantasy

Pirate adventure involving voodoo magic.

piratesmagichistorical fantasy
Adaptations
  • [Film] Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides / Rob Marshall (2011)
  • [Video game] Monkey Island series (1990)

Last Call

1992 Fantasy

Mythic poker game in Las Vegas setting.

mythologygamblingsupernatural

Declare

2001 Fantasy

Cold War spies and djinn in a secret history.

espionageoccultsecret history

Bibliography

  • The Skies Discrowned
  • The Anubis Gates
  • Dinner at Deviant's Palace
  • On Stranger Tides
  • Last Call
  • Declare

Adaptations

  • Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Translations of Works

  • The Anubis Gates many languages

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Secret history approach rigorously adhering to historical facts explained by supernaturalMeticulously researched fantasy
Recurring Motifs
occultghostssupernatural influences on historymythological elements

Legacy

Renowned for secret history novels blending real history with the supernatural, winner of two World Fantasy Awards and two Philip K. Dick Awards. Pioneer of steampunk.

In Popular Culture

  • On Stranger Tides inspired Pirates of the Caribbean film
  • Inspired Monkey Island game franchise
  • Basis for character in Philip K. Dick's VALIS

Trivia

  • Co-originator of steampunk with Blaylock and Jeter
  • Friend of Philip K. Dick; dedicated in Blade Runner edition
  • Invented fictional poet William Ashbless
  • Practicing Catholic