Phyllis Gotlieb was a Canadian science fiction novelist and poet best known for her pioneering contributions to speculative fiction. Her debut novel, "Sunburst," published in 1964, became the namesake for Canada's prestigious Sunburst Award. Gotlieb also earned critical acclaim for "A Judgement of Dragons," which won the Aurora Award for Best Novel in 1982. Earlier in her career, she published the poetry collection "Who Knows One," showcasing her versatility as a writer.
Born Phyllis Fay Bloom, Gotlieb earned both a BA and MA before marrying Calvin Gotlieb, a computer science professor. She spent much of her life in Toronto, Ontario, where she balanced her literary pursuits with a deep engagement in Canada's science fiction community. Her works often explored themes of identity, ethics, and humanity's relationship with technology, blending poetic language with imaginative storytelling. A respected figure in Canadian literature, Gotlieb left a lasting legacy in both speculative fiction and poetry.