Kate Wilhelm

Kate Wilhelm began publishing science fiction in 1956, with “The Pint-Size Genie” for Fantastic, and by the 1980s was a ranking figure in the field. Her work often examines the fragility of domestic life and society as a whole.

Wilhelm favors the novella format, and much of her early work appeared in collections. Her collection The Downstairs Room, and Other Speculative Fiction (1968) includes the Nebula-winning “The Planners” (1968), while And the Angels Sing (1992) includes “Forever Yours, Anna” (1987), also a Nebula-winner.

Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang (1976), which won Hugo and Jupiter awards for Best Novel, is made up of three novella-length sequences, each superb. The successful Death Qualified: A Mystery of Chaos (1991), and its sequel The Best Defense (1994) combine detection and science fiction, weaving in chaos theory, new perceptions and a hint of Superman.

Along with her husband, Damon Knight, Wilhelm helped found the Milford Science Fiction Writers' Conference in 1956 as well as its offshoot, the Clarion Science Fiction Writers' Workshop.

Induction Year: 2003

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

The Downstairs Room, and Other Speculative Fiction (1968)
Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang (1976)
Death Qualified: A Mystery of Chaos (1991)
And the Angels Sing (1992)
The Best Defense (1994)