Jack McDevitt
Encyclopedia
Jack McDevitt is an American science fiction author whose novels frequently deal with attempts to make contact
with alien
races, and with archaeology
or xenoarchaeology
.
McDevitt's first published story was "The Emerson Effect" in The Twilight Zone Magazine
in 1981. Two years later, he published his first novel, The Hercules Text, about the discovery of an intelligently conceived signal whose repercussions threaten human civilization
. This novel set the tone for many of McDevitt's following novels, which focused on making first contact. Frequently this theme is mixed with both trepidation before the unknown and a sense of wonder at the universe.
With The Engines of God (1994), McDevitt introduced the idea of a universe that was once teeming with intelligent life, but contains only their abandoned artifact
s by the time humans arrive on the scene. Although it was initially written as a standalone novel, the main character of The Engines of God, pilot Priscilla Hutchins, has since appeared in five more books, Deepsix (2001), Chindi (2002), Omega (2003), Odyssey (2006), and Cauldron (2007). The mystery surrounding the destructive "Omega Clouds" (which are introduced in The Engines of God) is left unexplored until Omega.
McDevitt's novels frequently raise questions which he does not attempt to answer. He prefers to leave ambiguities to puzzle and intrigue his readers: "Some things are best left to the reader's very able imagination."
His novel Seeker won the 2006 Nebula Award for Best Novel
, given by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
. He has been nominated for the Nebula Award
fifteen times; Seeker is his only win.
, where a short story of his won the annual Freshman Short Story Contest and was published in the school's literary magazine, Four Quarters
. As McDevitt explained in an interview, "I was on my way. Then I read David Copperfield
and realized I could never write at that level, and therefore I should find something else to do. I joined the Navy
, drove a cab, became an English teacher, took a customs
inspector's job on the northern border, and didn't write another word for a quarter-century." McDevitt received a Master's degree in literature from Wesleyan University
in 1971. He returned to writing when his wife, Maureen, encouraged him to try his hand at it in 1980. , McDevitt lives near Brunswick
, Georgia
. In 2005, he donated his archive to the department of Rare Books and Special Collections at Northern Illinois University
.
The short stories "Melville on Iapetus" (1983), "Promises to Keep" (1984), and "Kaminsky at War" (2006) are also set in the Academy universe.
First contact (science fiction)
First contact is a common science fiction theme about the first meeting between humans and extraterrestrial life, or of any sentient race's first encounter with another one....
with alien
Extraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
races, and with archaeology
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
or xenoarchaeology
Xenoarchaeology
Xenoarchaeology is a hypothetical form of archaeology that exists mainly in science fiction works concerned with the physical remains of past alien life and cultures...
.
McDevitt's first published story was "The Emerson Effect" in The Twilight Zone Magazine
Twilight Zone literature
Twilight Zone literature is an umbrella term for the many books and comic books which concern or adapt The Twilight Zone television series.-Novels:...
in 1981. Two years later, he published his first novel, The Hercules Text, about the discovery of an intelligently conceived signal whose repercussions threaten human civilization
Civilization
Civilization is a sometimes controversial term that has been used in several related ways. Primarily, the term has been used to refer to the material and instrumental side of human cultures that are complex in terms of technology, science, and division of labor. Such civilizations are generally...
. This novel set the tone for many of McDevitt's following novels, which focused on making first contact. Frequently this theme is mixed with both trepidation before the unknown and a sense of wonder at the universe.
With The Engines of God (1994), McDevitt introduced the idea of a universe that was once teeming with intelligent life, but contains only their abandoned artifact
Cultural artifact
A cultural artifact is a term used in the social sciences, particularly anthropology, ethnology, and sociology for anything created by humans which gives information about the culture of its creator and users...
s by the time humans arrive on the scene. Although it was initially written as a standalone novel, the main character of The Engines of God, pilot Priscilla Hutchins, has since appeared in five more books, Deepsix (2001), Chindi (2002), Omega (2003), Odyssey (2006), and Cauldron (2007). The mystery surrounding the destructive "Omega Clouds" (which are introduced in The Engines of God) is left unexplored until Omega.
McDevitt's novels frequently raise questions which he does not attempt to answer. He prefers to leave ambiguities to puzzle and intrigue his readers: "Some things are best left to the reader's very able imagination."
His novel Seeker won the 2006 Nebula Award for Best Novel
Nebula Award for Best Novel
Winners of the Nebula Award for Best Novel, awarded by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. The stated year is that of publication; awards are given in the following year.- Winners and other nominees :...
, given by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, or SFWA is a nonprofit association of professional science fiction and fantasy writers. It was founded in 1965 by Damon Knight under the name Science Fiction Writers of America, Inc. and it retains the acronym SFWA after a very brief use of the SFFWA...
. He has been nominated for the Nebula Award
Nebula Award
The Nebula Award is given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America , for the best science fiction/fantasy fiction published in the United States during the previous year...
fifteen times; Seeker is his only win.
Biography
McDevitt went to La Salle UniversityLa Salle University
La Salle University is a private, co-educational, Roman Catholic university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Named for St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle, the school was founded in 1863 by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. As of 2008 the school has approximately 7,554...
, where a short story of his won the annual Freshman Short Story Contest and was published in the school's literary magazine, Four Quarters
Four Quarters
Four Quarters a publishing house in Minsk, Belarus was founded in 1992.It publishes books on arts, history and geography.-External links:* *...
. As McDevitt explained in an interview, "I was on my way. Then I read David Copperfield
David Copperfield (novel)
The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery , commonly referred to as David Copperfield, is the eighth novel by Charles Dickens, first published as a novel in 1850. Like most of his works, it originally appeared in serial...
and realized I could never write at that level, and therefore I should find something else to do. I joined the Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, drove a cab, became an English teacher, took a customs
Customs
Customs is an authority or agency in a country responsible for collecting and safeguarding customs duties and for controlling the flow of goods including animals, transports, personal effects and hazardous items in and out of a country...
inspector's job on the northern border, and didn't write another word for a quarter-century." McDevitt received a Master's degree in literature from Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college founded in 1831 and located in Middletown, Connecticut. According to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Wesleyan is the only Baccalaureate College in the nation that emphasizes undergraduate instruction in the arts and...
in 1971. He returned to writing when his wife, Maureen, encouraged him to try his hand at it in 1980. , McDevitt lives near Brunswick
Brunswick, Georgia
Brunswick is the major urban and economic center in southeastern Georgia in the United States. The municipality is located on a harbor near the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 30 miles north of Florida and 70 miles south of South Carolina. Brunswick is bordered on the east by the Atlantic...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. In 2005, he donated his archive to the department of Rare Books and Special Collections at Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University is a state university and research institution located in DeKalb, Illinois, with satellite centers in Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon. It was originally founded as Northern Illinois State Normal School on May 22, 1895 by Illinois Governor John P...
.
Novels, series
- Academy Series - Priscilla "Hutch" Hutchins
- The Engines of God (1994), ISBN 0-441-00077-0
- Deepsix (2001), ISBN 0-06-105124-1
- ChindiChindi (novel)Chindi is Nebula Award-nominated 2002 book by Jack McDevitt of starship pilot Priscilla "Hutch" Hutchins series.-Plot Overview:Alien stealth satellites have been discovered orbiting various habitable planets across space...
(2002), ISBN 0-441-00938-7 - OmegaOmega (novel)Omega is a book by Jack McDevitt that won the John W. Campbell Award, and was nominated for the Nebula Award in 2004.The mystery surrounding the destructive "Omega Clouds" is left unexplored until Omega....
(2003), ISBN 0-441-01046-6 - OdysseyOdyssey (novel)Odyssey is a science fiction novel by Jack Mcdevitt. It was a Nebula Award nominee for 2007. It's set in the 23rd century and "explores the immorality of big business and the short-sightedness of the American government in minimizing support for space travel."-Literary significance and...
(2006), ISBN 0-441-01433-X - Cauldron (2007), ISBN 0-441-01525-5
The short stories "Melville on Iapetus" (1983), "Promises to Keep" (1984), and "Kaminsky at War" (2006) are also set in the Academy universe.
- Alex Benedict
- A Talent for WarA Talent for WarA Talent for War is a science fiction and mystery novel by Jack McDevitt, the story of a search by Alex Benedict, the protagonist, to discover the nature of a mysterious project Alex's uncle had been working on at the time of his death...
(1989) (also published as part of Hello Out There) - PolarisPolaris (novel)Polaris is a Nebula Award-nominated science fiction mystery novel by Jack McDevitt. It is the second book of his Alex Benedict series. Antiquities dealer Alex Benedict and his employee, Chase Kolpath, become involved in a mystery involving the disappearance of the passengers and crew of an...
(2004), ISBN 0-441-01202-7 - SeekerSeeker (novel)Seeker is a 2005 science fiction novel by Jack McDevitt. It won the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 2006.-Synopsis:The story is set approximately 10,000 years in the future, after civilization has expanded to inhabit countless worlds...
(2005) - winner of Nebula Award for Best NovelNebula Award for Best NovelWinners of the Nebula Award for Best Novel, awarded by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. The stated year is that of publication; awards are given in the following year.- Winners and other nominees :...
, ISBN 0-441-01329-5 - The Devil's Eye (2008), ISBN 0-441-01635-9
- Echo (2010), ISBN 0-441-01924-2
- Firebird (November 1, 2011), ISBN 0-441-02073-9
- A Talent for War
Novels, stand-alone
- The Hercules TextThe Hercules TextThe Hercules Text is a 1986 science fiction novel by Jack McDevitt. It tells the story of a message of intelligent extraterrestrial origin received by SETI-scientists. The Hercules Text was nominated for the Philip K. Dick Award in 1986....
(1986) (a revised version was also published as part of Hello Out There) - Ancient ShoresAncient ShoresAncient Shores, published in 1996, is a science fiction novel written by Jack McDevitt. It was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1997.- Plot introduction :...
(1996) - Eternity RoadEternity Road (novel)Eternity Road, published in 1998, is a science fiction novel written by Jack McDevitt.- Plot introduction :1,000 years after a deadly plague has wiped out the great civilisations of man, the survivors' descendants have built up a new, comparably primitive society...
(1998) - Moonfall (1998)
- Infinity BeachInfinity BeachInfinity Beach is a 2000 science fiction novel by Jack McDevitt. It is a story of a first contact between human and alien civilizations.It was a 2000 nominee for the Nebula Award for Best Novel.-External links:***** on official website...
(2000) (variant title (UK) Slow Lightning) - Time Travelers Never DieTime Travelers Never DieTime Travelers Never Die, written by Jack McDevitt, is a 2009 science fiction book about time travel and the consequences it can cause. The novel is a reworking of McDevitt's 1996 novella of the same title, which in 1997 was nominated for both a Hugo Award and a Nebula Award...
(2009)
Short stories (partial list)
- "The Emerson Effect" (1981)
- "The Far Shore" (1982)
- "Black to Move" (1982)
- "Crossing Over" (1983)
- "The Jersey Rifle" (1983)
- "Cryptic" (1983)
- "Melville on Iapetus" (1983)
- "Translations from the Colosian" (1984)
- "Promises to Keep" (1984)
- "Tidal Effects" (1985)
- "Voice in the Dark" (1986)
- "Combinations" (1986)
- "Dutchman" (1987) - later re-worked as the full-length novel A Talent for WarA Talent for WarA Talent for War is a science fiction and mystery novel by Jack McDevitt, the story of a search by Alex Benedict, the protagonist, to discover the nature of a mysterious project Alex's uncle had been working on at the time of his death...
- "To Hell with the Stars" (1987)
- "In the Tower" (1987) - takes place in the same universe as the Alex Benedict novels
- "Sunrise" (1988) - takes place in the same universe as the Alex Benedict novels
- "Last Contact" (1988)
- "The Fort Moxie Branch" (1988)
- "Whistle" (1989)
- "Leap of Faith" (1989)
- "Time's Arrow" (1989)
- "Tracks" (1989)
- "It's a Long Way to Alpha Centauri" (1990)
- "Happy Birthday" (1990)
- "Lake Agassiz" (1991)
- "The Tomb" (1991)
- "Ships in the Night" (1993)
- "Midnight Clear" (1993)
- "Talk Radio" (1993)
- "Time Travelers Never Die" (1996) - later re-worked as a full-length novel with the same name
- "Dead in the Water" (1999)
- "Good Intentions" (1999) (with Stanley SchmidtStanley SchmidtStanley Albert Schmidt is an American science fiction author. Since 1978 he has been the editor of the SF magazine Analog Science Fiction and Fact.-Biography:...
) - "Oculus" (2002)
- "The Law of Gravity Isn't Working on Rainbow Bridge" (2003)
- "Act of God" (2004)
- "Kaminsky at War" (2006)
- "Tweak" (2007)
- "Fifth Day" (2007)
- "Welcome to Valhalla" (2008)
- "Indomitable" (2008)
- "The Cassandra Project" (2010)
Collections
- Standard CandlesStandard CandlesStandard Candles is a compilation of short stories by American science fiction author Jack McDevitt. The sixteen stories in the anthology were originally published in various magazines from 1982 to 1996...
(Tachyon Press, 1996) - Hello Out There (Meisha Merlin, 2000) (omnibus edition of A Talent for War and a revised The Hercules Text)
- Ships in the Night (AAB, 2005)
- Outbound (ISFiC PressISFiC PressISFiC Press is the small press publishing arm of ISFiC. It often produces books by the Author Guest of Honor at Windycon, an annual Chicago science fiction convention, launching the appropriate title at the convention....
, 2006), ISBN 0-9759156-4-9 - Cryptic: The Best Short Fiction of Jack McDevitt (Subterranean PressSubterranean PressSubterranean Press is a small press publisher in Michigan. Subterranean is best known for publishing genre fiction, primarily horror, suspense and dark mystery, fantasy, and science fiction...
, February 2009), ISBN 978-1-59606-195-8
Awards and nominations
- NebulaNebula AwardThe Nebula Award is given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America , for the best science fiction/fantasy fiction published in the United States during the previous year...
Best Short Story nominee (1983) : Cryptic - Philip K. Dick Award (special citation) (1986) : The Hercules Text http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=1987
- Nebula Best Short Story nominee (1988) : "The Fort Moxie Branch"
- HugoHugo AwardThe Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
Best Short Story nominee (1989) : "The Fort Moxie Branch" - International UPC Science Fiction Award winner (1993) : "Ships in the Night" (first English language winner) http://www.scifi.com/sfw/interviews/sfw14482.html
- Nebula Best Novella nominee (1996) : "Time Travelers Never Die"
- Arthur C. Clarke Best Novel nominee (1997) : Engines of God http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=1997
- Hugo Best Novella nominee (1997) : "Time Travelers Never Die"
- Nebula Best Novel nominee (1997) : Ancient Shores http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=1997
- Nebula Best Novel nominee (1998) : Moonfall http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=1998
- Nebula Best Novelette nominee (1999) : "Good Intentions" (co-writer Stanley SchmidtStanley SchmidtStanley Albert Schmidt is an American science fiction author. Since 1978 he has been the editor of the SF magazine Analog Science Fiction and Fact.-Biography:...
) - Nebula Best Novel nominee (2000) : Infinity Beach http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=2000
- John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Novel nominee (2001) : Infinity Beach http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=2001
- John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Novel nominee (2002) : Deepsix http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=2002
- Nebula Best Short Story nominee (2002) : "Nothing Ever Happens in Rock City"
- Nebula Best Novel nominee (2003) : Chindi http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=2003
- Campbell AwardCampbell award (best novel)The John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel for best science fiction novel was created in 1973 by writers and critics Harry Harrison and Brian W. Aldiss to honor Campbell's name...
winner (2004) : OmegaOmega (novel)Omega is a book by Jack McDevitt that won the John W. Campbell Award, and was nominated for the Nebula Award in 2004.The mystery surrounding the destructive "Omega Clouds" is left unexplored until Omega....
http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=2004 - Nebula Best Novel nominee (2004) : OmegaOmega (novel)Omega is a book by Jack McDevitt that won the John W. Campbell Award, and was nominated for the Nebula Award in 2004.The mystery surrounding the destructive "Omega Clouds" is left unexplored until Omega....
http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=2004 - Nebula Best Novel nominee (2005) : PolarisPolaris (novel)Polaris is a Nebula Award-nominated science fiction mystery novel by Jack McDevitt. It is the second book of his Alex Benedict series. Antiquities dealer Alex Benedict and his employee, Chase Kolpath, become involved in a mystery involving the disappearance of the passengers and crew of an...
http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=2005 - Nebula Best Novel winner (2006) : SeekerSeeker (novel)Seeker is a 2005 science fiction novel by Jack McDevitt. It won the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 2006.-Synopsis:The story is set approximately 10,000 years in the future, after civilization has expanded to inhabit countless worlds...
http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=2006 - John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Novel nominee (2006) : Seeker http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=2006
- John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Novel nominee (2007) : OdysseyOdyssey (novel)Odyssey is a science fiction novel by Jack Mcdevitt. It was a Nebula Award nominee for 2007. It's set in the 23rd century and "explores the immorality of big business and the short-sightedness of the American government in minimizing support for space travel."-Literary significance and...
http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=2007 - Nebula Best Novel nominee (2007) : OdysseyOdyssey (novel)Odyssey is a science fiction novel by Jack Mcdevitt. It was a Nebula Award nominee for 2007. It's set in the 23rd century and "explores the immorality of big business and the short-sightedness of the American government in minimizing support for space travel."-Literary significance and...
http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=2007 - Nebula Best Novel nominee (2008) : Cauldron http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=2008
- Nebula Best Novel nominee (2010) : Echo
External links
- Jack McDevitt's Home Page
- Ten Favorite Novels, literary influences
- Profile of Jack McDevitt by Michael SwanwickMichael SwanwickMichael Swanwick is an American science fiction author. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he began publishing in the early 1980s.-Biography:...
- Official forum at The Internet Book Database of Fiction
- Jack McDevitt's Short Story Bibliography
- The Jack McDevitt Papers at Northern Illinois University