Wen Spencer
Encyclopedia
Wen Spencer is an American
Science fiction
and fantasy
writer
whose books center around characters with unusual abilities, and which might be regarded as original variations on the standard vampire
and werewolf
themes. In 2003, she was the winner of the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer.
Spencer was raised on the family farm in Evans City, Pennsylvania
and attended the University of Pittsburgh
, gaining a degree in Information science
, and has been active in science fiction fandom
.
Her Ukiah Oregon series features a partly alien character of gentle nature but with powerful abilities and with dangerous relatives who are variations on the theme of werewolf. Her novel Tinker features a young woman of extraordinary brilliance who is turned (somewhat reminiscently of vampire fiction) into an elf. A Brother's Price posits a believable world where perhaps 1 man is born for every 8, 10, or more women, and the evolution of its society.
Ukiah Oregon
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Science fiction
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
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
whose books center around characters with unusual abilities, and which might be regarded as original variations on the standard vampire
Vampire
Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person...
and werewolf
Werewolf
A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope , is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse...
themes. In 2003, she was the winner of the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer.
Spencer was raised on the family farm in Evans City, Pennsylvania
Evans City, Pennsylvania
Evans City is a borough in Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,009 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Evans City is located at ....
and attended the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
, gaining a degree in Information science
Information science
-Introduction:Information science is an interdisciplinary science primarily concerned with the analysis, collection, classification, manipulation, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information...
, and has been active in science fiction fandom
Fandom
Fandom is a term used to refer to a subculture composed of fans characterized by a feeling of sympathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest...
.
Her Ukiah Oregon series features a partly alien character of gentle nature but with powerful abilities and with dangerous relatives who are variations on the theme of werewolf. Her novel Tinker features a young woman of extraordinary brilliance who is turned (somewhat reminiscently of vampire fiction) into an elf. A Brother's Price posits a believable world where perhaps 1 man is born for every 8, 10, or more women, and the evolution of its society.
Ukiah OregonUkiah OregonUkiah Oregon is the hero of an eponymous series of science fiction/adventure novels written by Wen Spencer.As of 2005, the Ukiah Oregon series consists of four novels:#Alien Taste Winner of the Compton Crook Award#Tainted Trail...
series
- Alien Taste (2001) Winner Compton Crook AwardCompton Crook AwardThe Compton Crook Award is presented to the best first novel of the year in the field of Science Fiction, Fantasy, or Horror by the members of the Baltimore Science Fiction Society, Inc, at their annual Baltimore-area science fiction convention, Balticon, held on Memorial Day weekend in the...
- Tainted Trail (2002)
- Bitter Waters (2003)
- Dog Warrior (October 2004)
Tinker series
Fantasy novels set in near-future Pittsburgh and Elfhome- Tinker (2003), 2004 Sapphire Award for the Best Science Fiction Romance novel
- Wolf Who Rules (July 2006)
- Steel City Magic - Science Fiction Book Club omnibus edition of Tinker and Wolf Who Rules (April 2006)
- Elfhome (TBA)
Short stories
- "Once Upon a Toad" in Fantastic Companions (2005)
- "Another Man's Meat" in Triangulation 2004: A Confluence of Speculative Fiction (2004)
- "Moon Monkeys" in Adventures in Sol System (2004)
- "Rituals for a New God" in Turn the Other ChickTurn the Other ChickTurn the Other Chick is an anthology of fantasy stories, edited by Esther M. Friesner, with a cover by Mitch Foust. It consists of works featuring female protagonists by female authors. It was first published in hardcover by Baen Books in November 2004; a paperback edition followed in March 2006...
(2004) - "Wyvern" in Faire Tales (2004)
- "Young Robots in Love" in Triangulation 2003: A Confluence of Speculative Fiction (2003)
- "Protection Money" in Jim Baen's Universe (2006)
External links
- Official website
- Bibliography on SciFanSciFanSciFan is an online database for fans of science fiction and fantasy books.The site provides detailed bibliographies, linking books together into series' where appropriate and, in turn, grouping series by universe...
- Full Length Commentary on A Brother's Price