Lois McMaster Bujold

Lois McMaster Bujold is a highly acclaimed author of science fiction and fantasy novels. She was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1949, and grew up with a love for reading, influenced by her father who was an engineering professor at Ohio State University and a science fiction fan. Bujold's father, Robert Charles McMaster, was well known in the scientific community and had a significant impact on her early interest in science fiction. She started writing in junior high and collaborated with a friend on a story throughout high school. During this time, she also had the opportunity to hitchhike through Europe with her older brother, an experience that provided her with many ideas for writing.

Bujold is best known for her Miles Vorkosigan science fiction series, but she also writes the Sharing Knife and Curse of Chalion fantasy series. She has received four Hugo Awards, tying the record holder with Robert A. Heinlein. Her work has been translated into over twenty languages, a testament to her global appeal. Bujold began writing in earnest after having children, with some help and encouragement from friends and published authors Lillian Stewart Carl and Patricia C. Wrede. She now lives in Minneapolis and has two grown children.

In addition to the Miles Vorkosigan series, Bujold has written several standalone novels and series, including the Chalion series and the Sharing Knife tetralogy. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, including three Nebula Awards and six Hugo Awards, four of which were for best novel. This matches the record held by science fiction legend Robert A. Heinlein. Bujold's writing is known for its depth, complexity, and engaging characters, and she is widely regarded as one of the greatest speculative fiction writers of all time.