Kim Harrison
Encyclopedia
Kim Harrison is a nom de plume
of American author Dawn Cook. Under the name of Harrison, she is best known for her Rachel Morgan
urban fantasy
series set in an alternate history
where a worldwide pandemic
caused by genetically modified tomatoes
led to the death of a large portion of the world's human population. Under the name of Dawn Cook, she is best known for her Decoy Princess and Truth series, published in the first few years of the 21st century.
In 2008, Harrison was described by Harper Collins Voyager Publishing Director Jane Johnson as the best example of the urban fantasy
sub-genre which she described as, "the supernatural erupting into the everyday—sexy, tongue-in-cheek, post-modern."
) grew up the only girl in a family of boys. She discovered her talent for writing at the age of 15, when she began writing down the stories that she conceived. Despite her love of writing, she took an unorthodox approach to writing, and claims to have avoided English courses beyond the basic requirements in high school and college.
, but began writing contemporary fantasy
after deciding to focus more on character development. She spent the better part of a decade struggling as an aspiring author before meeting her current agent at a writing convention. He then introduced her to Diana Gill, who became Harrison's editor. Together, they produced Dead Witch Walking, and her first book was published in paperback by HarperTorch in 2004. Since then, she has written eight more books in the Hollows series
, also called the Rachel Morgan series, (most with titles punning off Clint Eastwood
movies) and contributed to multiple anthologies, with prequels to the Hollows books, and one with a young adult story.
After the success of her first novel, Harrison was able to resign from her day job, devoting herself to writing full time. Her favorite author is Ray Bradbury
. She references music as one of her strongest writing influences, providing song lists for several of her characters. In her spare time, she communicates with fans via her self-maintained website. She currently splits her time living in South Carolina
and Michigan
.
Harrison is a member of the Romance Writers of America
and Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
. The first two Truth books were originally one book, which was split into two separate books for publishing. That the two are the same, and that Cook was Harrison, was disclosed in a May 2009 Locus
magazine article.
Kim Harrison is contracted to write twelve or thirteen novels based on her prerogative. Due to future projects, Kim plans to end Rachel's story at twelve books, but she has said, "I do have a floater book, so it might be 13. I’ll know for sure come spring [2012]."
Pen name
A pen name, nom de plume, or literary double, is a pseudonym adopted by an author. A pen name may be used to make the author's name more distinctive, to disguise his or her gender, to distance an author from some or all of his or her works, to protect the author from retribution for his or her...
of American author Dawn Cook. Under the name of Harrison, she is best known for her Rachel Morgan
Hollows (series)
The Hollows series is a series of mystery novels in an urban fantasy alternate history setting by Kim Harrison that take place primarily in the city of Cincinnati. The city itself is mostly separated in two parts: The main part of the town and the enclave on the opposite side of the Ohio River...
urban fantasy
Urban fantasy
Urban fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy defined by place; the fantastic narrative has an urban setting. Many urban fantasies are set in contemporary times and contain supernatural elements. However, the stories can take place in historical, modern, or futuristic periods...
series set in an alternate history
Alternate history (fiction)
Alternate history or alternative history is a genre of fiction consisting of stories that are set in worlds in which history has diverged from the actual history of the world. It can be variously seen as a sub-genre of literary fiction, science fiction, and historical fiction; different alternate...
where a worldwide pandemic
Pandemic
A pandemic is an epidemic of infectious disease that is spreading through human populations across a large region; for instance multiple continents, or even worldwide. A widespread endemic disease that is stable in terms of how many people are getting sick from it is not a pandemic...
caused by genetically modified tomatoes
Genetically modified food
Genetically modified foods are foods derived from genetically modified organisms . Genetically modified organisms have had specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering techniques...
led to the death of a large portion of the world's human population. Under the name of Dawn Cook, she is best known for her Decoy Princess and Truth series, published in the first few years of the 21st century.
In 2008, Harrison was described by Harper Collins Voyager Publishing Director Jane Johnson as the best example of the urban fantasy
Urban fantasy
Urban fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy defined by place; the fantastic narrative has an urban setting. Many urban fantasies are set in contemporary times and contain supernatural elements. However, the stories can take place in historical, modern, or futuristic periods...
sub-genre which she described as, "the supernatural erupting into the everyday—sexy, tongue-in-cheek, post-modern."
Early life
A self-proclaimed "former tomboy," Kim Harrison (born and raised in the MidwestMidwestern United States
The Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest....
) grew up the only girl in a family of boys. She discovered her talent for writing at the age of 15, when she began writing down the stories that she conceived. Despite her love of writing, she took an unorthodox approach to writing, and claims to have avoided English courses beyond the basic requirements in high school and college.
Career
At first, Harrison tried her hand at writing traditional science fictionScience fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
, but began writing contemporary fantasy
Contemporary fantasy
Contemporary fantasy, also known as modern fantasy or indigenous fantasy, is a sub-genre of fantasy, set in the present day. It is perhaps most popular for its sub-genre, urban fantasy.-Definition and overview:...
after deciding to focus more on character development. She spent the better part of a decade struggling as an aspiring author before meeting her current agent at a writing convention. He then introduced her to Diana Gill, who became Harrison's editor. Together, they produced Dead Witch Walking, and her first book was published in paperback by HarperTorch in 2004. Since then, she has written eight more books in the Hollows series
Hollows (series)
The Hollows series is a series of mystery novels in an urban fantasy alternate history setting by Kim Harrison that take place primarily in the city of Cincinnati. The city itself is mostly separated in two parts: The main part of the town and the enclave on the opposite side of the Ohio River...
, also called the Rachel Morgan series, (most with titles punning off Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood
Clinton "Clint" Eastwood, Jr. is an American film actor, director, producer, composer and politician. Eastwood first came to prominence as a supporting cast member in the TV series Rawhide...
movies) and contributed to multiple anthologies, with prequels to the Hollows books, and one with a young adult story.
After the success of her first novel, Harrison was able to resign from her day job, devoting herself to writing full time. Her favorite author is Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury
Ray Douglas Bradbury is an American fantasy, horror, science fiction, and mystery writer. Best known for his dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451 and for the science fiction stories gathered together as The Martian Chronicles and The Illustrated Man , Bradbury is one of the most celebrated among 20th...
. She references music as one of her strongest writing influences, providing song lists for several of her characters. In her spare time, she communicates with fans via her self-maintained website. She currently splits her time living in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
and Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
.
Harrison is a member of the Romance Writers of America
Romance Writers of America
Romance Writers of America is a national non-profit genre writers association. It provides networking and support to individuals seriously pursuing a career in romance fiction and supports top authors such as Nora Roberts and Judith McNaught.-History:...
and 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...
. The first two Truth books were originally one book, which was split into two separate books for publishing. That the two are the same, and that Cook was Harrison, was disclosed in a May 2009 Locus
Locus (magazine)
Locus, subtitled "The Magazine Of The Science Fiction & Fantasy Field", is published monthly in Oakland, California. It reports on the science fiction and fantasy publishing field, including comprehensive listings of all new books published in the genre. It is considered the news organ and trade...
magazine article.
"I'm glad it's out in the open, because it is hard to maintain these two separate identities, and remind your friends or family when you go out, 'I'm Kim today, so don't call me Dawn.' The division has served its purpose. I'm still going to be Kim, but now if somebody calls me Dawn I won't have to say 'Shut your mouth!'"
Novels
- Dead Witch Walking (April 2004, ISBN 0-06-057296-5)
- The Good, the Bad, and the Undead (January 2005, ISBN 0-06-057297-3)
- Every Which Way But Dead (June 28, 2005, ISBN 0-06-057299-X)
- A Fistful of Charms (June 27, 2006, ISBN 0-06-078819-4)
- For a Few Demons More (March 20, 2007, ISBN 0-06-078838-0)
- The Outlaw Demon Wails (February 26, 2008, ISBN 978-0060788704)
- White Witch, Black Curse (February 24, 2009, ISBN 978-0061138010)
- Black Magic Sanction (February 23, 2010, ISBN 0061138037)
- Pale Demon (February 22, 2011, ISBN 0061138061)
- A Perfect Blood (February 21, 2012, ISBN 0061957895)
Kim Harrison is contracted to write twelve or thirteen novels based on her prerogative. Due to future projects, Kim plans to end Rachel's story at twelve books, but she has said, "I do have a floater book, so it might be 13. I’ll know for sure come spring [2012]."
Graphic novel
- Blood Work: An Original Hollows Graphic Novel (July 12, 2011, ISBN 0345521013)
Supplement
- The Hollows Insider: New fiction, facts, maps, murders, and more in the world of Rachel Morgan (October 25, 2011, ISBN 0061974331)
Audio books
- Dead Witch Walking (July 2007, ISBN 9781400104710)—Tantor Media, Read By Marguerite Gavin
- The Good, the Bad, and the Undead (November 2007, ISBN 9781400104727)—Tantor Media, Read By Marguerite Gavin
- Every Which Way But Dead (January 2008, ISBN 9781400104734)—Tantor Media, Read By Marguerite Gavin
- A Fistful of Charms (January 2008, ISBN 9781400104741)—Tantor Media, Read By Marguerite Gavin
- For a Few Demons More (May 2007, ISBN 9781400104536)—Tantor Media, Read By Marguerite Gavin
- The Outlaw Demon Wails (February 2008, ISBN 9780061452987)—HarperAudio, Read By Gigi Bermingham
- White Witch, Black Curse (February 2009, ISBN 9780061714696)—HarperAudio, Read By Marguerite Gavin
- Black Magic Sanction (February 2010, ISBN 9780061977473)—HarperAudio, Read By Marguerite Gavin
- Pale Demon (February 2011, ISBN 9780061138065)—HarperAudio, Read By Marguerite Gavin
Omnibus editions
- This Witch For Hire (February 20062006 in literatureThe year 2006 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Literature:*Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Half of a Yellow Sun*Chris Adrian - The Children's Hospital *Martin Amis - House of Meetings...
, ISBN 0-7394-6380-2)—Science Fiction Book Club Omnibus Edition, includes Dead Witch Walking and The Good, the Bad, and the Undead - Dead Witches Tell No Tales (July 20062006 in literatureThe year 2006 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Literature:*Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Half of a Yellow Sun*Chris Adrian - The Children's Hospital *Martin Amis - House of Meetings...
, ISBN 0739470833)—Science Fiction Book Club Omnibus Edition, includes Every Which Way But Dead and A Fistful of Charms
Novellas and short stories
- Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil
- A novella prequel centered on the character Ivy Tamwood, in Dates from Hell (April 1, 2006, ISBN 0-06-085409-X)—anthology with Kelley ArmstrongKelley ArmstrongKelley Armstrong is a Canadian author, primarily of fantasy works.She has published sixteen fantasy novels , set in the world of the Women of the Otherworld and the Darkest Powers series, also two crime novels in 2007 and 2009...
, Lynsay SandsLynsay SandsLynsay Sands is an award winning Canadian author of over 30 books. She is noted for the humor she injects into her stories. While she writes both historical and paranormal novels, she is best known for her Argeneau series about a modern family of vampires.- Biography :Sands grew up in Southern...
, and Lori HandelandLori HandelandLori Handeland is an American author of romance novels. She has twice won the Romance Writers of America RITA Award.- Biography :Handeland has wanted to be a writer since she was 10 years old. As an adult, she wrote her first book in a two-year span. It was chosen for publication.Handeland has...
.- Two Ghosts for Sister Rachel
- A novella prequel centered on the character Rachel Morgan in Holidays Are Hell (October 30, 2007, ISBN 978-0-06-123909-0)—anthology with Lynsay SandsLynsay SandsLynsay Sands is an award winning Canadian author of over 30 books. She is noted for the humor she injects into her stories. While she writes both historical and paranormal novels, she is best known for her Argeneau series about a modern family of vampires.- Biography :Sands grew up in Southern...
, Marjorie M. Liu, and Vicki PetterssonVicki PetterssonVicki Pettersson is an American author best known for her Zodiac urban fantasy series set in modern Las Vegas which sets Agents of Light and Shadow against each other for control over Sin City. The series follows casino heiress Joanna Archer, who discovers on her 25th birthday that she has...
.- Dirty Magic
- A short story centered around the banshee Mia in the anthology Hotter Than Hell. (June 24, 2008, ISBN 978-0061161292)—anthology with Lilith SaintcrowLilith SaintcrowLilith Saintcrow writes mainly paranormal romance and urban fantasy. She currently resides in Vancouver, WA.-The Watcher Series:*Dark Watcher *Storm Watcher *Fire Watcher...
, Tanya HuffTanya HuffTanya Sue Huff is a Canadian fantasy author. Her stories have been published since the late 1980s, including five fantasy series and one science-fiction series. One of these, her Blood Books series, featuring detective Vicki Nelson, was adapted for television under the title Blood...
and others- The Bridges of Eden Park
- A short story included in the paperback edition of For a Few Demons More.
- The Bespelled
- A short story about Ceri and Algaliarept, included in the paperback edition of The Outlaw Demon Wails.
- Ley Line Drifter
- A short story focused on Hallows characters Jenks and Bis working together to solve a case in Unbound (August 25, 2009, ISBN 0061699934)—anthology with Melissa MarrMelissa Marr (author)Melissa Marr is an American author of young-adult/urban fantasy novels.-Poetry:*On Meeting the Surgeon *The Moment of Impact *Fighting the Tide *The Art of Becoming -Short Fiction:...
, Jeaniene FrostJeaniene FrostJeaniene Frost an American fantasy author, known for her work on the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Night Huntress series and the Night Huntress World novels. Foreign rights for her novels have sold to fourteen different countries. Frost lives in Florida with her husband...
, Vicki PetterssonVicki PetterssonVicki Pettersson is an American author best known for her Zodiac urban fantasy series set in modern Las Vegas which sets Agents of Light and Shadow against each other for control over Sin City. The series follows casino heiress Joanna Archer, who discovers on her 25th birthday that she has...
, and Jocelynn Drake.
Novels
- Once Dead, Twice Shy (May 26, 2009, ISBN 978-0061718168)
- Early to Death, Early to Rise (May 25, 2010, ISBN 978-0061718175)
- Something Deadly This Way Comes (May 24, 2011, ISBN 978-0061718199)
Novellas and short stories
Madison Avery and the Dim Reaper introducing Madison Avery in Prom Nights From Hell. (April 1, 2007, ISBN 0-06-125309-X, ISBN 978-0061253096) a young adult anthologyTruth series
- First Truth, May 28, 2002, Ace BooksAce BooksAce Books is the oldest active specialty publisher of science fiction and fantasy books. The company was founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn, and began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns...
, ISBN 044100945X - Hidden Truth, November 26, 2002, Ace BooksAce BooksAce Books is the oldest active specialty publisher of science fiction and fantasy books. The company was founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn, and began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns...
, ISBN 0441010032 - Forgotten Truth, November 25, 2003, Ace BooksAce BooksAce Books is the oldest active specialty publisher of science fiction and fantasy books. The company was founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn, and began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns...
, ISBN 0441011179 - Lost Truth, November 30, 2004, Ace BooksAce BooksAce Books is the oldest active specialty publisher of science fiction and fantasy books. The company was founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn, and began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns...
, ISBN 0441012280
Decoy Princess series
- The Decoy Princess, November 29, 2005, Ace BooksAce BooksAce Books is the oldest active specialty publisher of science fiction and fantasy books. The company was founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn, and began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns...
, ISBN 0441013554 - Princess at Sea, July 25, 2006, Ace BooksAce BooksAce Books is the oldest active specialty publisher of science fiction and fantasy books. The company was founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn, and began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns...
, ISBN 0441014240
Short story
With Friends Like These- A story about a vampire and his roommate, in The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (September 22, 2009, ISBN 978-0762437962)—anthology with Jordan Summers, Deborah Cooke, Karen MacInerney, Caitlin KittredgeCaitlin KittredgeCaitlin Kittredge is an American novelist of dark fantasy and urban fantasy noir living in Olympia, Washington. She is known for her Nocturne City series of adult novels, and for The Iron Codex, a series of young-adult books....
, Dina James, Camille Bacon-Smith, Rosemary Laurey, Patti O'Shea, Angie Fox, Caitlín R. KiernanCaitlin R. KiernanCaitlín Rebekah Kiernan is the author of many science fiction and dark fantasy works, including seven novels, many comic books, more than one hundred published short stories, novellas, and vignettes, and numerous scientific papers.- Overview :Born in Dublin, Ireland, she moved to the United States...
, Jamie Leigh Hansen, Carole Nelson DouglasCarole Nelson DouglasCarole Nelson Douglas is an American writer. She is best known for two popular mystery series, the Irene Adler mysteries and the Midnight Louie mystery series....
, Diane Whiteside, Jaye Wells, Stacia KaneStacia Kane-Biography:Stacia Kane is an American writer of romantic erotica, urban fantasy, and horror. Kane lives outside Atlanta with her husband and daughters....
, Jennifer Ashley, Justine MuskJustine MuskJustine Musk is the author of BloodAngel, published in 2005 by the ROC imprint of Penguin Books. BloodAngel is a contemporary fantasy novel....
, Jennifer St. Giles, Nancy HolderNancy HolderNancy Holder is an American writer and the author of several novels, including numerous tie-in books based on the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She's also written fiction related to several other science fiction and fantasy shows, including Angel and Smallville.Holder is a four-time winner...
, Larissa IoneLarissa IoneLarissa Ione is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling contemporary and paranormal romance author. She is published with Samhain, Red Sage Kensington and Grand Central Publishing under her own name, and along with Stephanie Tyler she is also one half of the writing team of Sydney Croft, whose...
, Jeanne C. SteinJeanne C. SteinJeanne C. Stein is an American Urban Fantasy author living in Colorado.She now lives in Colorado, but was raised and educated in San Diego, which is the setting for her contemporary vampire fantasy....
, Tiffany Trent, Ann AguirreAnn AguirreAnn Aguirre is an American Author of speculative fiction. She has a degree in English literature and lives in Mexico with her husband and children...
, and Devon MonkDevon MonkDevon Monk is an American writer of urban fantasy novels. She has also published over 50 short stories in fantasy, science fiction, horror, humor, and young adult magazines and anthologies...
.