Photo Courtesy of Marilyn Joyce Niven

Larry Niven Named SFWA Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master

SFWA is pleased to award Larry Niven the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award, one of SFWA’s highest honors, for his invaluable contributions to the field of science fiction and fantasy. In addition to his contributions to the genre, Niven has influenced the fields of space exploration and technology. His iconic Ringworld is a classic of the genre, and influences readers and writers alike.

“One of the great honors of being SFWA president is the announcing the latest Grandmaster recipient. One of the drawbacks is only getting to name one at a time when we have several worthy candidates. I take great pleasure in naming Larry Niven as this year’s Damon Knight Memorial Grandmaster.

“As Lev Grossman said in Time Magazine about Niven’s work, “It’s a bravura demonstration of technology and psychology both playing off and feeding back into each other. This feedback loop — so fundamental to great science fiction’s power — is at the heart of Niven’s work: we create tools, and our tools shape the world, but they also shape us, in unintended and unexpected ways.” ~SFWA President Steven Gould

Niven has written fiction at every length, speculative articles, speeches for high schools and colleges and conventions, television scripts, political action in support of the conquest of space, graphic novels, and a couple of comic book universes. He’s received multiple Hugo Awards, a Nebula Award, and many others.

“I’ve always wanted one of these. It does definitely mean I’ve gotten old.  I’ve been publishing fiction for more than fifty years now.  I’m convinced I picked the right career.” ~Larry Niven

Previous recipients of the award include Gene Wolfe, Connie Willis, Joe Haldeman, Andre Norton, Samuel R. Delany, and Ursula K. Le Guin. The award will be presented at the 50^th Annual Nebula Awards Weekend, Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois, June 4 through 7, 2015.

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Jeffry Dwight to Receive the 2015 Kevin O’Donnell Jr. Service to SFWA Award

SFWA’s transition to the new website, its presence on the web, and the long-term survival of its discussion forums would not have been possible without the support and oversight of Jeffry Dwight. He was crucial to SFWA’s modernization and the ease of that process. We are happy to thank him officially for his service and support through the Kevin O’Donnell Jr. Service to SFWA Award.

“SFWA’s early days on the web started on GEnie but, when that service shutdown, Jeffry Dwight, more than any other person, was responsible for helping SFWA transition onto the modern internet. We are incredibly lucky to have had access to his help and resources over the years.” ~SFWA President Steven Gould

The award will be presented in Chicago at the 50^th Annual Nebula Awards Weekend.