Elizabeth Moon


Elizabeth Moon is an American science fiction and fantasy writer. Her other writing includes newspaper columns and opinion pieces. Her novel The Speed of Dark won the 2003 Nebula Award. Prior to her writing career, she served in the United States Marine Corps.
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Early life

Moon was born Susan Elizabeth Norris and grew up in McAllen, Texas. She started writing when she was a child and first tried a book, which was about her dog, at age six. She was inspired to write creatively, and says that she began writing science fiction in her teens, considering it a sideline.
She earned a Bachelor's degree in History from Rice University in Houston, Texas in 1968 and later earned a second B.A. in Biology. In 1968, she joined the United States Marine Corps as a computer specialist, attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant while on active duty. She married Richard Sloan Moon in 1969 and they have a son, Michael, born in 1983.

Writing career

Moon began writing professionally in her mid-thirties and had a newspaper column in a county weekly newspaper. In 1986, she published her first science fiction in the monthly magazine Analog and the anthology series Sword and Sorceress. Her stories appeared regularly in Analog the next few years. Her first novel Sheepfarmer's Daughter won the Compton Crook Award and inaugurated the Paksenarrion series.
Most of her work has military science fiction themes, although biology, politics, and personal relationships also feature strongly. The Serrano Legacy is a space opera. Her Nebula-winning novel The Speed of Dark is a near-future story told from the viewpoint of an autistic data analyst, inspired by her own autistic son Michael.

Other interests

Elizabeth Moon has many interests besides writing. She has a musical background, having played the accordion during her university days and sung in choirs. She is an accomplished fencer, and captain of the SFWA Musketeers, a group of published speculative fiction authors who also fence.
Moon is also an experienced paramedic and has served in various capacities in local government.

Awards and nominations

Works

Paksenarrion

''The Deed of Paksenarrion''

  1. Sheepfarmer's Daughter
  2. Divided Allegiance
  3. Oath of Gold
In addition, several omnibus editions entitled The Deed of Paksenarrion have been released.

''The Legacy of Gird''

  1. Surrender None —prequel to The Deed of Paksenarrion
  2. Liar's Oath —sequel to Surrender None
Omnibus editions: The Legacy of Gird ; ''A Legacy of Honour''

''Paladin's Legacy'' or ''Legend of Paksenarrion''

  1. Oath of Fealty —sequel to Oath of Gold
  2. Kings of the North
  3. Echoes of Betrayal
  4. Limits of Power
  5. ''Crown of Renewal''

''Serrano Legacy (Familias Regnant)''

Heris Serrano trilogy
  1. Hunting Party
  2. Sporting Chance
  3. Winning Colors Esmay Suiza duology
  4. Once a Hero
  5. Rules of Engagement Suiza and Serrano duology
  6. Change of Command
  7. ''Against the Odds''

''Vatta's War''

  1. Trading in Danger
  2. Marque and Reprisal —Moving Target in the UK, New Zealand and Australia
  3. Engaging the Enemy
  4. Command Decision
  5. ''Victory Conditions ''

''Vatta's Peace''

  1. Cold Welcome
  2. ''Into the Fire''

Planet Pirates

  1. Sassinak, Anne McCaffrey and Moon
  2. The Death of Sleep, McCaffrey and Jody Lynn Nye
  3. Generation Warriors, McCaffrey and Moon
Omnibus edition: The Planet Pirates, McCaffrey, Moon, and Nye

Other novels

Remnant Population Speed of Dark —as The Speed of Dark in the USA

Short stories

  • "And Ladies of the Club"
  • "Tradition"

Collections

Lunar Activity —Ten short storiesPhases —Eight stories from Lunar Activity, and others previously uncollected.Moon Flights —Fifteen stories, including an original "Vatta's War" story, with an introduction by Anne McCaffrey
  • * The limited edition hardcover contains an additional rare bonus story entitled "Fencing In".Deeds of Honor: Paksenarrion World Chronicles —Eight stories set in the world of Paksenarrion.Deeds of Youth: Paksenarrion World Chronicles II —Seven stories set in the world of Paksenarrion.Deeds of Wisdom: Paksenarrion World Chronicles III —Six stories set in the world of Paksenarrion.

Interviews