Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal is a highly accomplished American author, renowned for her work in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, romance, regency, and fiction. She is best known for her Glamourist Histories series, which has garnered significant critical acclaim and popularity among readers. Born as Mary Robinette Harrison in Raleigh, North Carolina, Kowal completed her graduation from the University of East Carolina, earning a degree in Art Education with a minor in theatre.

Before becoming a full-time author, Kowal enjoyed a successful career as a professional puppeteer and voice actor. She has performed for various productions, including LazzyTown CBS, the Puppetry Arts Center, and Jim Hensen Pictures. Her exceptional skills in puppetry have earned her two UNIMA USA Citations for Excellence, the highest award a puppeteer in America can achieve. In addition to her work as a puppeteer, Kowal is also an accomplished voice actor, lending her voice to audiobooks for several authors, including Cory Doctorow, John Scalzi, Seanan McGuire, and Kage Baker.

As an author, Kowal has received numerous accolades for her work. She won the 2008 Campbell Award for Best New Writer and the Hugo Award in 2011 for her short story For Want of a Nail. Her stories have been featured in several popular literary magazines, including Asimov's, Tablebones Magazine, Apex Digest, and Strange Horizons, and have even appeared in a few Best of the Year anthologies. Kowal's novel Calculating Stars is one of only eighteen novels to win the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus awards in a single year.

Kowal is also a member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses, which provides valuable insights and advice to aspiring writers. She currently lives in Chicago with her husband, Rob, and continues to write and create captivating stories that resonate with readers and critics alike.