Fletcher pays tribute to sci-fi writer Vonda N McIntyre

Vonda N McIntyre’s UK publisher has paid tribute to the award-winning science fiction writer who died this week, aged 70.

Mcintyre, from Seattle, died on Monday 1st April after battling pancreatic cancer.

During her career, she wrote a series of novels, short stories and media tie-ins, also editing Aurora: Beyond Equality (Fawcett), a groundbreaking anthology of feminist sci-fi. She also founded the Clarion West Writing Workshop in 1971, inspiring many future authors.

She won the Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards for her 1979 novel Dreamsnake, and scooped the Nebula again for her 1996 novel The Moon and the Sun. The latter book has been made into an as-yet-unreleased film, "The King's Daughter", starring Pierce Brosnan. Her list of titles included a number of popular Star Trek tie-ins, including the novelisation of the second, third and fourth films of the series.

She enjoyed a close friendship with Ursula K Le Guin throughout her career that including various editing and publishing ventures.

In the UK, her novels were published by Quercus imprint Jo Fletcher Books. Fletcher said: “Like all Vonda’s friends and admirers, the diagnosis came as a shock, but she handled it as she did everything in her life: with strength and bravery. 

“She has enriched our lives, with her writing, and perhaps even more, with her championing and support of new writers. She will be sorely missed.”

Novelist Nisi Shawl, a Clarion West board member, said: “Vonda was one of Clarion West's founders, and has always been our fairy godmother, bringing comfort and whimsy to class after class with her impromptu visits and gifts of crocheted sea creatures. She was the Good Witch of the Northwest, a fearless public reader and a stellar private writer who is missed by all.”

A memorial service will be arranged in Seattle. McIntyre requested that, in lieu of flowers, people make memorial donations to one of their favourite charities.