SFWA’s In Memoriam marks the loss of writers and other science fiction and fantasy creators by celebrating their literary legacies and their contributions to the publishing community. The person whose loss we are marking does not have to be a SFWA member. It is enough that they contributed to the world of SFF and leave behind people who wish to honor their life and work. Please contact publications@sfwa.org if you wish for us to add an entry for a recently lost creator to the list.
In Memoriam: Heather Osborne
Dr. Heather Kathleen Forest Osborne (03 June 1981–20 September 2024) was a lifelong writer of short speculative fiction, a debut novelist, and a proud member of several fandoms. She was the Associate Editor of Foundation: The International Journal of Science…
In Memoriam: Dr. Anthony R. Lewis
Dr. Anthony R. Lewis (08 February 1941–11 February 2025) was a fan writer, anthologist, and convention organizer, deeply involved in the formation of the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS), and an active member of several professional organizations, including SFWA. Dr….
In Memoriam: Laurel Amberdine
Laurel Amberdine (1970–21 January 2025) was a writer, interviewer, and genre editor. She worked for Locus Magazine for ten years, and was an assistant editor for Lightspeed magazine. Amberdine was known for her kind and thoughtful interviews, yet she also…
In Memoriam: Howard Andrew Jones
Howard Andrew Jones (19 July 1968–16 January 2025) was a beloved sword-and-sorcery editor, reader, scholar, and writer, known for works such as the Ring-Sworn trilogy and the Chronicles of Hanuvar series. In 2016, the Black Gate: Adventures in Fantasy Literature…
In Memoriam: George Zebrowski
George Zebrowski (28 December 1945–20 December 2024) was a prolific writer and anthologist. He edited three Nebula anthologies and headed SFWA’s committee that oversaw the selection of editors for Nebula Awards anthologies from 1983-95. His collection of Bulletins and Forums…
In Memoriam: Barry N. Malzberg
Barry N. Malzberg (24 July 1939–19 December 2024), also writing as Mel Johnson, K.M. O’Donnell, Nathan Herbert, Mike Barry, Claudine Dumas, Lee W. Mason, and Gerrold Watkins, was a prolific and varied writer, anthologist, columnist, critic, satirist, and editor. Malzberg…
In Memoriam: T. Jackson King
Thomas Jackson King, Jr., (24 May 1948–3 December 2024) was an archeologist, an activist, a prolific writer of science-fiction, horror, and urban fantasy, and an award-winning journalist. He wrote articles for The SFWA Bulletin and SFWA Handbook, and served as…
In Memoriam: Janet Morris
Janet Morris (25 May 1946 – 10 August 2024) was a military fantasy writer most known for blending history, ancient mythologies, and science fiction into secondworlds. With a publication career spanning over 35 years, Morris is known for works such…
In Memoriam: M. J. Engh
M. J. Engh (26 January 1933 – 11 July 2024), also writing as Jane Beauclerk and Mary Jane Engh, was a librarian, scholar, teacher, editor and writer. She wrote short fiction, non-fiction, and speculative novels, including 1976’s Arslan, later released…
In Memoriam: John Maddox Roberts
John Maddox Roberts (25 June 1947 – 23 May 2024), also writing as Mark Ramsay, was a prolific and best-selling science fiction, fantasy, historical, and mystery writer over the course of thirty-five years. He was the author of many novels…
In Memoriam: Caitlin Thomas
Caitlin Rosemarie Thomas, 28 October 2002 – 17 April 2024, was a presence of joy in the genre community. The daughter of Lynne M. Thomas and Michael Damian Thomas, Caitlin often traveled to science fiction and fantasy conventions and ceremonies…
In Memoriam: Travis Heermann
Travis Heermann (22 October 1969 – 26 April 2024), also writing as T. James Logan, was a prolific and award-winning author, ghostwriter, poet, screenwriter, filmmaker, producer, editor, and publisher. In addition to a lifetime of creative accomplishments, Heermann was a…
In Memoriam: Jubilee Cho
Jubilee Cho (13 April 1998 – 06 March 2024) was a writer and dreamer, and the author of the upcoming middle grade fantasy novel Wishing Well, Wishing Well. Cho grew up near Disneyland, enamored with stories of fantastical princesses. Yearning…
In Memoriam: James A. Moore
James A. Moore (03 September 1965 – 27 March 2024) was a prolific, versatile, and award-winning horror, dark fantasy, comic, and game writer. He crafted a diverse set of multi-media and beloved works over three decades, from his debut novel…
In Memoriam: Vernor Vinge
Vernor Vinge (02 October 1944 – 20 March 2024) was a five-time Hugo Award winning author, credited for introducing the technological singularity. He won Hugo Awards for his breakout novel, A Fire Upon the Deep, as well as A Deepness…