Maureen F. McHugh
Encyclopedia
Maureen F. McHugh is a science fiction
and fantasy
writer.
Her first published story appeared in Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine in 1989. Since then, she has written four novels and over twenty short stories. Her first novel, China Mountain Zhang
(1992), was nominated for both the Hugo
and the Nebula Award
, and won the James Tiptree, Jr. Award
. In 1996 she won a Hugo Award
for her short story "The Lincoln Train
" (1995). McHugh's short story collection Mothers and Other Monsters was shortlisted as a finalist for the Story Prize
in December, 2005.
Maureen is currently a partner at No Mimes Media, an Alternate Reality Game company which she co-founded with Steve Peters
and Behnam Karbassi in March 2009. Prior to founding No Mimes, Maureen worked for 42 Entertainment
, where she was a Writer and/or Managing Editor for numerous Alternate Reality Game projects, including Year Zero
and I Love Bees.
Science 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...
and fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
writer.
Her first published story appeared in Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine in 1989. Since then, she has written four novels and over twenty short stories. Her first novel, China Mountain Zhang
China Mountain Zhang
China Mountain Zhang is a 1992 novel by science fiction author Maureen F. McHugh. The novel is made up of several stories loosely intertwined.-Title:...
(1992), was nominated for both the Hugo
Hugo Award
The 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...
and 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...
, and won the James Tiptree, Jr. Award
James Tiptree, Jr. Award
The James Tiptree, Jr. Award is an annual literary prize for works of science fiction or fantasy that expand or explore one's understanding of gender. It was initiated in February of 1991 by science fiction authors Pat Murphy and Karen Joy Fowler, subsequent to a discussion at WisCon.- Background...
. In 1996 she won a Hugo Award
Hugo Award
The 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...
for her short story "The Lincoln Train
The Lincoln Train
The Lincoln Train is a science fiction short story published by American writer Maureen F. McHugh, published in 1995. It won the 1996 Hugo Award for Best Short Story and the 1996 Locus Award...
" (1995). McHugh's short story collection Mothers and Other Monsters was shortlisted as a finalist for the Story Prize
Story Prize
The Story Prize is an annual book award established in 2004 that honors the author of an outstanding collection of short fiction with a $20,000 cash award. Each of two runners-up receives $5,000. Eligible books must be written in English and first published in the United States during a calendar...
in December, 2005.
Maureen is currently a partner at No Mimes Media, an Alternate Reality Game company which she co-founded with Steve Peters
Steve Peters (game designer)
Steve Peters is a game designer specializing in alternate reality games. He worked with alternate reality game design company 42 Entertainment as Experience Design Director...
and Behnam Karbassi in March 2009. Prior to founding No Mimes, Maureen worked for 42 Entertainment
42 Entertainment
42 Entertainment is an American company based in Pasadena which specializes in creating and producing alternate reality games . The company was founded in 2003 as an independently-owned, creative content and interactive agency under the name 4orty 2wo Entertainment. The company started with a...
, where she was a Writer and/or Managing Editor for numerous Alternate Reality Game projects, including Year Zero
Year Zero (game)
Year Zero is an alternate reality game based on the Nine Inch Nails concept album of the same name, its expected follow-up, and a possible accompanying film or television project...
and I Love Bees.
Novels
- China Mountain ZhangChina Mountain ZhangChina Mountain Zhang is a 1992 novel by science fiction author Maureen F. McHugh. The novel is made up of several stories loosely intertwined.-Title:...
(1992) James Tiptree, Jr. AwardJames Tiptree, Jr. AwardThe James Tiptree, Jr. Award is an annual literary prize for works of science fiction or fantasy that expand or explore one's understanding of gender. It was initiated in February of 1991 by science fiction authors Pat Murphy and Karen Joy Fowler, subsequent to a discussion at WisCon.- Background...
, Locus AwardLocus AwardThe Locus Award is a literary award established in 1971 and presented to winners of Locus magazine's annual readers' poll. Currently, the Locus Awards are presented at an annual banquet...
, Lambda Literary AwardLambda Literary AwardLambda Literary Awards are awarded yearly by the US-based Lambda Literary Foundation to published works which celebrate or explore LGBT themes. Categories include Humor, Romance and Biography. To qualify, a book must have been published in the United States in the year current to the award... - Half the Day Is Night (1994)
- Mission Child (1998) Review by Jo WaltonJo WaltonJo Walton is a Welsh-Canadian fantasy and science fiction writer and poet. She won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer in 2002 and the World Fantasy award for her novel Tooth and Claw in 2004. Her novel Ha'penny was a co-winner of the 2008 Prometheus Award...
. - Nekropolis (2001) Review by James Schellenberg.
Stories
- "Kites" (1989)
- "Baffin Island" (1989)
- "The Queen of Marincite" (1990)
- "Render unto Caesar" (1992)
- "Protection" (1992)
- "The Missionary's Child" (1992)
- "The Beast" (1992)
- "Tut's Wife" (1993)
- "A Foreigner's Christmas in China" (1993)
- "Whispers" (1993)
- "A Coney Island of the Mind" (1993)
- "Virtual Love" (1994)
- "Nekropolis" (1994)
- "The Ballad of Ritchie Valenzuela" (1994)
- "The Lincoln TrainThe Lincoln TrainThe Lincoln Train is a science fiction short story published by American writer Maureen F. McHugh, published in 1995. It won the 1996 Hugo Award for Best Short Story and the 1996 Locus Award...
" (1995) Hugo AwardHugo 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...
, Locus AwardLocus AwardThe Locus Award is a literary award established in 1971 and presented to winners of Locus magazine's annual readers' poll. Currently, the Locus Awards are presented at an annual banquet... - "Joss" (1995)
- "In the Air" (1995)
- "Homesick" (1996)
- "Learning to Breathe" (1995)
- "The Cost to Be Wise" (1996)
- "Interview: On Any Given Day" (2001)
- "Presence" (2002)
- "Ancestor Money" (2003)
- "Eight-Legged Story" (2003)
- "Frankenstein's Daughter" (2003)
Collections
- Mothers and Other Monsters, Small Beer PressSmall Beer PressSmall Beer Press is a publisher of fantasy and literary fiction, based in Northampton, Massachusetts. It was founded by Gavin Grant and Kelly Link in 2000 and publishes novels, collections, and anthologies. It also publishes the zine Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet, chapbooks, the Peapod Classics...
(2005) - After the Apocalypse, Small Beer PressSmall Beer PressSmall Beer Press is a publisher of fantasy and literary fiction, based in Northampton, Massachusetts. It was founded by Gavin Grant and Kelly Link in 2000 and publishes novels, collections, and anthologies. It also publishes the zine Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet, chapbooks, the Peapod Classics...
(2011)
Alternate Reality Games
- Year ZeroYear Zero (game)Year Zero is an alternate reality game based on the Nine Inch Nails concept album of the same name, its expected follow-up, and a possible accompanying film or television project...
: Writer (2007) - Last Call Poker: Writer and Managing Editor (2005)
- I Love Bees: Writer and Managing Editor (2004)