Jane Yolen has been recognized by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Female Writers with the 2006 Roots in Writing Award.

Yolen has written more than 275 children's books and science fiction and fantasy novels, She is also a poet, has taught writing and literature, and has served as the president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA).

Jane Yolen was born in 1939 in New York City, and is a graduate of Smith College and the University of Massachusetts. Among her works: Briar Rose, The One-Armed Queen, Sister Light Sister Dark, White Jenna, Pay the Piper, Owl Moon, Dragon’s Blood, Sword of the Rightful King, and The Devil’s Arithmetic. The University of Massachusetts recently conferred a Doctors of Human Letters degree on Yolen, her fifth honorary doctorate.

Science Fiction and Fantasy Female Writers is a recently formed association of professional women writers of science fiction and fantasy, as well as authors from other genres who are interested in science fiction and fantasy.

2006 is second year for the award. Previous winners of the Roots in Writing Award are: Betty Ballantine, Madeleine L'Engle, Anne McCaffrey, Ursula K. Le Guin, Kate Wilhelm, Joanna Russ, and the late Andre Norton. No plans for a presentation of the award were announced.

Posted April 27, 2006