Charlie Jane Anders

Charlie Jane Anders is an American writer and editor known for her diverse contributions to science fiction, pop culture, and literature. Anders is the recipient of the Lambda Literary Award for work in the transgender category and the Emperor Norton Award.

Charlie Jane Anders was born in Connecticut and grew up in nearby Mansfield. She studied English and Asian Literature at the University of Cambridge. Anders also studied in China before moving to San Francisco in the early 2000s.

Born with an irrepressible passion for storytelling, Charlie Jane Anders has made her mark in various fields, leaving an indelible impact on geek communities.

Her journey into the world of fiction is marked by her extensive portfolio of over 100 short stories. Her work has graced the pages of prestigious publications such as Tor.com, Lightspeed Magazine, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, and many more. She has also been featured in numerous anthologies.

One of her standout achievements includes the Hugo Award-winning novelette Six Months, Three Days (2011), a testament to her exceptional storytelling prowess. This work also earned her nominations for the Nebula and Theodore Sturgeon awards, solidifying her position as a prominent figure in the science fiction and fantasy literary circles.

In addition to her fiction, Charlie Jane Anders has made a name for herself as the editor of io9.com, where she has covered diverse topics ranging from reviews of blockbuster films like Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and The Last Airbender to Game of Thrones recaps.

Her writing advice columns have been a valuable resource for aspiring writers, and she has delved into in-depth investigations of critical issues, including those who deny the link between HIV and AIDS.

Beyond her writing and editorial work, Charlie Jane Anders is recognized for her contributions to the LGBTQ+ literary community. Her novel Choir Boy (2005) won a Lambda Literary Award and was shortlisted for the Edmund White Award, further highlighting her dedication to exploring diverse themes in her work.

Charlie Jane Anders is also known for her role in organizing "Writers With Drinks," a popular monthly reading series in San Francisco that seamlessly blends various literary genres. This event has featured renowned authors and performers, including Armistead Maupin, Mary Gaitskill, Amy Tan, and many others.

Most recently, she wrote the young adult Unstoppable trilogy: Victories Greater Than Death, Dreams Bigger Than Heartbreak, and Promises Stronger Than Darkness. Other recent books include the short story collection Even Greater Mistakes, which won a Locus Award. And Never Say You Can't Survive (2021), a book about how to use creative writing to get through hard times, which also won a Hugo Award.

Her TED Talk, Go Ahead, Dream About the Future, has been viewed over three million times.

Since September 2022, Charlie Jane has also been the monthly science fiction and fantasy book reviewer for the Washington Post.

Charlie Jane Anders is working on a new adult novel, tentatively called The Prodigal Mother.

Photo credit: Sarah Deragon/Portraits to the People.