Mary Robinette Kowal
Mary Robinette Kowal (Harrison; born February 8, 1969) is an American author, translator, art director, and puppeteer. She is a four-time Hugo Award winner, a Nebula Award and Locus Award winner, and served as the president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America from 2019-2021. She has worked on puppetry for shows including Jim Henson Productions and the children's show LazyTown.
Also recorded as Mary Robinette Harrison · Mary Kowal
Mary Robinette Kowal

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- Name
- Mary Robinette Kowal
- Birth Name
- Mary Robinette Harrison
- Born
- 8 February 1969
- Birthplace
- Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
- Occupation
- * puppeteer
- Education
- East Carolina University
- Awards
- * John W.
- Full name
- Mary Robinette Harrison.
- Nationality
- United States.
- Fields
- puppet, literary activity, science fiction and audiobook.
- Known for
- Evil Robot Monkey.
- Honours
- Astounding Award for Best New Writer, Hugo Award for Best Short Story, Hugo Award for Best Related Work, Hugo Award for Best Novelette, Nebula Award for Best Novel and Sidewise Award for Alternate History.
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Documentary summary
Mary Robinette Kowal (Harrison; born February 8, 1969) is an American author, translator, art director, and puppeteer. She is a four-time Hugo Award winner, a Nebula Award and Locus Award winner, and served as the president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America from 2019-2021. She has worked on puppetry for shows including Jim Henson Productions and the children's show LazyTown.
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Authority files
wikidata · Q4225496 · wikipedia · Mary Robinette Kowal
In this article
Biography
Biography
Mary Robinette Kowal studied at East Carolina University and William G. Enloe High School. The recorded working language is American English and English. The field of work recorded is puppet, literary activity and science fiction. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are science fiction and fantasy. Places of work recorded in the authority are Nashville. Works named in the authority record are Evil Robot Monkey. Distinctions recorded are Astounding Award for Best New Writer, Hugo Award for Best Short Story, Hugo Award for Best Related Work and Hugo Award for Best Novelette.

Mary Robinette Kowal (2008)
EricJamesStone at en.wikipedia

Mary Robinette Kowal and John Scalzi
Patrick Nielsen Hayden from Brooklyn, NY · Mary Robinette Kowal and John Scalzi
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Mary Robinette Kowal • Birth Name — Mary Robinette Harrison • Born — 8 February 1969 • Birthplace — Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. • Occupation — * puppeteer • author • voice actor • Education — East Carolina University • Genre — Science fiction, fantasy, fantasy of manners • Notable Works — * The Calculating Stars • Shades of Milk and Honey • "Evil Robot Monkey" • "For Want of a Nail" • Awards — * John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer (2008) • Hugo Award for Best Short Story (2011) • Hugo Award for Best Related Work (2013) • Hugo Award for Best Novelette (2014) • Nebula Award for Best Novel (2018) • Hugo Award for Best Novel (2019) • Website — http: www.maryrobinettekowal.com/
Early life
Early life
Mary Robinette Harrison was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was named after both of her grandmothers, and describes her given name, "Mary Robinette," as a double first name. She attended William G. Enloe High School, and studied at East Carolina University. She graduated with a degree in Art Education with a minor in Theater and Speech. She began work as a professional puppeteer in 1989.
Puppetry and art direction
Puppetry and art direction
Kowal has performed for the Center for Puppetry Arts, Jim Henson Productions; and her own production company, Other Hand Productions. She also worked in Iceland on the children's television show LazyTown for two seasons. She was accepted as a participant in a Sesame Puppetry Workshop. Kowal served as art director for Shimmer Magazine and in 2010 was named art director for Weird Tales.
Literary work
Literary work
In 2008, Kowal won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. Kowal's work as an author includes "For Solo Cello, op. 12" (originally published in Cosmos Magazine and reprinted in Science Fiction: The Best of the Year, 2008 Edition) which made the preliminary ballot for the 2007 Nebula Awards. Her fiction has also appeared in Talebones Magazine, Strange Horizons, and Apex Digest, among other venues. Her debut novel Shades of Milk and Honey was nominated for the 2010 Nebula Award for Best Novel. Two of her short fiction works have been nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Short Story: "Evil Robot Monkey" in 2009 and "For Want of a Nail", which won the award in 2011. Her novelette "The Lady Astronaut of Mars" won the 2014 Hugo Award for Best Novelette. The Calculating Stars, the first novel in her Lady Astronaut series, won the 2019 Hugo Award for Best Novel, the 2018 Nebula Award for Best Novel, and the 2018 Sidewise Award for Alternate History. Kowal translated the 2021 novel The Night Guest, by Hildur Knútsdóttir, from Icelandic into English, which was published in 2024. Kowal studied Icelandic while living in Reykjavík and working for the show LazyTown. It is Kowal's first work of translation. Kowal served as secretary of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America for two years. She was elected to the position of SFWA Vice President in 2010, and was elected SFWA President in 2019. In July 2018, after criticism that many authors who were Hugo award finalists at the August 2018 World Science Fiction Convention had not been selected to participate on that year's panels, Kowal took over as programming chair. She also served as chair of the DisCon III the 2021 Worldcon after the original chairs resigned.
Audio work
Audio work
After appearing several times as a guest on the podcast Writing Excuses, Kowal became a full-time cast member at the start of the sixth season in 2011. Kowal is a voice actor and has recorded audiobooks for authors including John Scalzi, Seanan McGuire, Cory Doctorow, Neal Stephenson, and Kage Baker.
Personal life
Personal life
Kowal has previously lived in Chicago and Nashville. She lives in Denver with her husband, Robert Kowal. She also owns a calico cat named Elsie who has reportedly learned over 120 words using a set of soundboard buttons to "talk". Minor planet 52691, discovered by the Spacewatch Project in 1998, is named after her.
Novels and novellas
Novels and novellas
* * * * • Apprehension. Saga Doubles. 2025 (in double-sided book with Red Star Hustle by Sam J. Miller) • Glamourist Histories series • Shades of Milk and Honey. Tor Books, 2010, • Glamour in Glass, Tor Books, 2012, • Without a Summer, Tor Books, 2013, • Valour and Vanity, Tor Books, 2014, • Of Noble Family, Tor Books, 2015, • Lady Astronaut Universe • The Calculating Stars, Tor Books, 2018, • The Fated Sky, Tor Books, 2018, • The Relentless Moon, Tor Books, 2020, • The Martian Contingency, Tor Books, 2025, (originally announced for 2022) • Silent Spaces, Kickstarter, projected publishing date July 2025
Short fiction
Short fiction
• Collections • Scenting the Dark and Other Stories, Subterranean Press, 2009, • Word Puppets, Prime Books, 2015, • Stories • Title — |Year — |First published — |Notes • "Kiss Me Twice" — 2011 — Asimov's Science Fiction — Finalist for the Hugo Award for Best Novella • "Forest of Memory" — 2014 — Tor.com — Novella • data-sort-value="fire in the heavens"|"A Fire in the Heavens" — 2014 — Shadows Beneath — Novelette • "Like Native Things" — 2015 — Novelette • data-sort-value="Worshipful Society of Glovers"|"The Worshipful Society of Glovers" — 2017 — Novelette • "Just Right", The First Line, 2004 • "Rampion", The First Line, 2004 • "The Shocking Affair of the Dutch Steamship Friesland", The First Line, 2004 • "Portrait of Ari", Strange Horizons, 2006 • "Bound Man", Twenty Epics, 2006 • "Cerbo in Vitra ujo", Apex Digest, 2006 • "Locked In", Apex Digest, 2006 • "This Little Pig", Cicada, 2007 • "For Solo Cello, op. 12", Cosmos, 2007; reprinted in Lightspeed Magazine, 2016 • "Horizontal Rain", Apex Online, 2007 • "Death Comes But Twice", Talebones, 2007 • "Some Other Day", All Possible Worlds, 2007 • "Tomorrow and Tomorrow", Gratia Placenti, 2007 • "Suspension and Disbelief", Doctor Who: Short Trips: Destination Prague, 2007 • "Clockwork Chickadee", Clarkesworld Magazine, 2008 • "Scenting the Dark", Apex Online, 2008 • "Waiting for Rain", Subterranean Magazine, 2008 • "Chrysalis", Aoife's Kiss, 2008 • "Evil Robot Monkey", The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction, Vol. 2, 2008 (nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Short Story) • "At the Edge of Dying", Clockwork Phoenix 2: More Tales of Beauty and Strangeness, 2009 • "Body Language", InterGalactic Medicine Show, 2009 • "The Consciousness Problem", Asimov's Science Fiction, 2009; reprinted in Lightspeed Magazine, 2015 • "First Flight", Tor.com, 2009 • "Ginger Stuyvesant and the Case of the Haunted Nursery", Talebones, 2009 • "Jaiden's Weaver", Diamonds in the Sky: An Astronomical Anthology, 2009 • "Prayer at Dark River", Innsmouth Free Press, 2009 • "Ring Road", Dark Faith Anthology, 2010 • "The Bride Replete", Apex Online, 2010 • "Beyond the Garden Close", Apex Online, 2010 • "Typewriter Triptych", Sharable.net, 2010 • "For Want of a Nail", Asimov's Science Fiction, 2010 (winner of the Hugo Award for Best Short Story) • "Salt of the Earth", Redstone Science Fiction, 2010 • "American Changeling", Daily Science Fiction, 2010 • "Changement d'itinéraire (Changed Itinerary)", Légendes, 2010 • "Birthright", 2020 Visions, 2010 • "Water to Wine", METAtropolis: Cascadia, 2010 • "Weaving Dreams", Apex, 2012 • "The White Phoenix Feather", Fireside Magazine, 2012 • "The Lady Astronaut of Mars", Audible, 2012, Tor.com, 2013 (winner of the 2014 Hugo Award for Best Novelette) • "We Interrupt This Broadcast", The Mad Scientist's Guide to World Domination, 2013 - part of the Lady Astronaut Universe series • "Midnight Hour", Uncanny Magazine, 2015 • "Grinding Time", Popular Science, 2015 • "Your Mama's Adventures in Parenting", Shimmer, 2017 • "Dust to Dust", Fireside Fiction, 2018 • "Nails in My Feet", Uncanny Magazine, 2018 • "Amara's Giraffe", May 2018 - part of the Lady Astronaut Universe series • "Rockets Red", July 2018 - part of the Lady Astronaut Universe series • "The Phobos Experience" - in Fantasy & Science Fiction July 2018 - part of the Lady Astronaut Universe series • "Articulated Restraint", Tor.com, 2019 - part of the Lady Astronaut Universe series • "Ina's Spark", Uncanny Magazine, 2021 • "By the Pricking of My Robotic Thumbs", New Scientist, 2021 • "Cold Relations", Uncanny Magazine, 2023 • "Marginalia", Uncanny Magazine, 2024 • "In the Moon's House", Reactor, 2024 - part of the Lady Astronaut Universe series • "With Her Serpent Locks", Uncanny Magazine, 2025 • "To Speak in Silence", Uncanny Magazine, 2025
Identity and origins
Identity and origins
Mary Robinette Kowal was recorded at birth as Mary Robinette Harrison. The authorities additionally record the headings Mary Robinette Harrison and Mary Kowal. Her recorded languages were American English and English.
Career and activity
Career and activity
Mary Robinette Kowal worked in puppet, literary activity, science fiction, audiobook and science fiction literature. She worked at Nashville.
Identity
Identity
Mary Robinette Kowal is recorded as writer, marionetteist, novelist, chairperson and puppet designer.
Children's books
Children's books
• Molly on the Moon, ill. Diana Mayo, Roaring Brook Press, 2022, ISBN 9781250259615
Audio books
Audio books
• Brandon Sanderson and Mary Robinette Kowal. "The Original" (Recorded Books, 2020) ISBN 9781980062738; eBook (Dragonsteel, 2025) ISBN 9781938570360
Where the work is held
Recognition and collections
Mary Robinette Kowal received Astounding Award for Best New Writer, Hugo Award for Best Short Story, Hugo Award for Best Related Work, Hugo Award for Best Novelette, Nebula Award for Best Novel and Sidewise Award for Alternate History.
Awards and nominations
• Year — Title — Award — Category — Result — Ref • 2008 — — — John W. Campbell Award — — • 2009 — "Evil Robot Monkey" — Hugo Award — Hugo–Short Story • 2010 — "First Flight" — Locus Award — Locus–Novelette • Shades of Milk and Honey — Nebula Award — Nebula–Novel • 2011 — Locus Award — Locus–First Novel • "For Want of a Nail" — Hugo Award — Hugo–Short Story • "Kiss Me Twice" — Nebula Award — Nebula–Novella • 2012 — Hugo Award — Hugo–Novella • Locus Award — Locus–Novella • Writing Excuses (Season 6) — Hugo Award — Hugo–Related Work • Glamour in Glass — Nebula Award — Nebula–Novel • 2013 — Locus Award — Locus–Fantasy Novel • Writing Excuses (Season 7) — Hugo Award — Hugo–Related Work • The Lady Astronaut of Mars — Locus Award — Locus–Novelette • 2014 — Hugo Award — Hugo–Novelette • Writing Excuses (Season 8) — Hugo Award — Hugo–Related Work • 2015 — "For Want of a Nail" — Seiun Award — Translated Story • 2017 — Ghost Talkers — Mythopoeic Award — Best Fantasy Novel • 2018 — "The Worshipful Society of Glovers" — Locus Award — Locus–Novelette • The Calculating Stars — Nebula Award — Nebula–Novel • Sidewise Award for Alternate History — Sidewise Award–Long Form • 2019 — Hugo Award — Hugo–Novel • Locus Award — Locus–Scifi Novel • John W. Campbell Memorial Award — — — Finalist • 2020 — The Relentless Moon — Hugo Award — Hugo–Novel • Locus Award — Locus–Scifi Novel • 2021 — The Lady Astronaut Universe — Hugo Award — Hugo–Series • 2023 — The Spare Man — Hugo Award — Hugo–Novel • 2025 — "Marginalia" — Hugo Award — Short Story — Finalist • Eugie Award — —
Literature
Scholarly footprint
A count of publications is evidence of attention, not of standing, and is given here only as a measure.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.bio.
- 2.Mary Robinette Kowal - Hugo-Award Winning Author. Mary Robinette Kowal.
- 3.3.14: The Four Principles of Puppetry, with Mary Robinette Kowal. Writing Excuses.
- 4.Kowal, Mary Robinette. On The Subject Of My Name. Mary Robinette Kowal. 2018-11-15.
- 5.Kowal, Mary Robinette. INTERVIEW: with authors Mary Robinette Kowal and Sam J. Miller. Grimdark Magazine. 2025-10-09.
- 6.Kowal, Mary Robinette. Mary's Dragon*Con 2010 schedule. Mary Robinette Kowal. 2010-08-30.
- 7.Kowal, Mary Robinette. Book Release Day for Shades of Milk and Honey. Mary Robinette Kowal. 2010-08-03.
- 8.Willamette Radio Workshop » Blog Archive » Mary Robinette Kowal (Web Lackey, Actor, Writer). www.radiowork.com.
- 9.FAQ. Mary Robinette Kowal. 9 January 2006.
- 10.Kowal, Mary Robinette. My audition for the Sesame Street puppetry workshop. Video and results. Mary Robinette Kowal. January 3, 2014.
- 11.Interview: Mary Robinette Kowal. Lightspeed Magazine. September 2014.
- 12.VanderMeer promoted to editor in chief, CapClave.org, 2010-01-25.
- 13.2008 Hugo Award Results Announced. thehugoawards.org. August 10, 2008.
- 14.Hugo and Campbell Award Winners 2008. locusmag.com.
- 15.Kowal, Mary Robinette. For Solo Cello, op. 12 by Mary Robinette Kowal. Mary Robinette Kowal. April 13, 2015.
- 16.For Solo Cello, op. 12. Lightspeed Magazine. November 2016.
- 17.Science Fiction: The Best of the Year, Rich Horton, Editor.
- 18.Nebula Awards preliminary ballot released SFScope. January 11, 2008.
- 19.Bibliography. Mary Robinette Kowal. 3 November 2005.
- 20.SFWA. SFWA announces the 2010 Nebula Award Nominees. 2011-02-22.
- 21.Locusmag.com. The Locus Index to SF Awards: 2009 Hugo Awards. 2009-08-09.
- 22.Locus Publications. Locus Online News » 2011 Hugo and Campbell Awards Winners. Locusmag.com. 21 August 2011.
- 23.2014 Hugo Award Winners. The Hugo Awards. August 17, 2014.
- 24.Cheryl. 2019 Hugo Award & 1944 Retro Hugo Award Finalists. The Hugo Awards. 2019-04-02.
- 25.Locus. Nebula Awards 2019. Science Fiction Awards Database.
- 26.Sidewise Awards. Uchronia.
- 27.The Night Guest - Tor Nightfire. tornightfire.com.
- 28.Pat. An Interview With Mary Robinette Kowal. blog.patrickrothfuss.com.
- 29.How Worldcon failed marginalized SF creators with programming and communication. 25 July 2018.
- 30.MRK's WorldCon 2018 Programming update. 2018-07-18.
- 31.DisCon III Committee and Staff. DisCon III. 2021-12-15.
- 32.Writing Excuses. 6.1: Can Creativity be Taught?. 6 June 2011.
- 33.Geeks of Note: Mary Robinette Kowal. Wired. 8 July 2010.
- 34.SILVER AND LEAD. Kirkus Reviews.
- 35.SEVENEVES. Kirkus Reviews.
- 36.Audio Fiction. Mary Robinette Kowal. 12 June 2007.
- 37.Rude Mechanicals Review. FantasyLiterature.com.
- 38.Mary Robinette Kowal. Lightspeed Magazine.
- 39.Mary Robinette Kowal: The Futures of Many Pasts. locusmag.com. 15 May 2023.
- 40.Mary Robinette Kowal. Strange Horizons.
- 41.Mary Robinette Kowal. Uncanny Magazine.
- 42.Kowal, Mary Robinette. Welcome Elsie!. maryrobinettekowal.com. March 7, 2019.
- 43.The New Statesman. Cats can now talk to humans. What are they trying to say?. May 6, 2026.
- 44.(52691) Maryrobinettek. minorplanetcenter.net.
- 45.California Institute of Technology, Small Body Database Lookup. nasa.gov.
- 46.based on official award designation year
- 47.2009 Hugo Awards. The Hugo Awards. 2009-08-18.
- 48.admin. 2010 Locus Awards Finalists. Locus Online. 2010-04-20.
- 49.2010 Nebula Awards. The Nebula Awards.
- 50.admin. Locus Awards 2011 Winners. Locus Online. 2011-06-26.
- 51.2011 Hugo Awards. The Hugo Awards. 2011-04-25.
- 52.2011 Nebula Awards. The Nebula Awards.
- 53.2012 Hugo Awards. The Hugo Awards. 2012-04-07.
- 54.admin. 2012 Locus Awards Winners. Locus Online. 2012-06-16.
- 55.2012 Hugo Awards. The Hugo Awards. 2012-04-07.
- 56.2012 Nebula Awards. The Nebula Awards.
- 57.Announcing the 2013 Locus Award Winners!. Tor.com. 2013-06-29.
- 58.2013 Hugo Awards. The Hugo Awards. 2012-12-22.
- 59.2014 Hugo Awards. The Hugo Awards. 2014-04-18.
- 60.2014 Hugo Awards. The Hugo Awards. 2014-04-18.
- 61.admin. 2015 Seiun Awards Winners. Locus Online. 2015-06-30.
- 62.The Mythopoeic Society - Mythopoeic Awards 2017. www.mythsoc.org.
- 63.locusmag. 2018 Locus Awards Winners. Locus Online. 2018-06-23.
- 64.2018 Nebula Awards. The Nebula Awards.
- 65.2018 Sidewise Award Winners. locusmag.com.
- 66.Cheryl. 2019 Hugo Award & 1944 Retro Hugo Award Finalists. The Hugo Awards. 2019-04-02.
- 67.locusmag. 2019 Locus Awards Winners. Locus Online. 2019-06-29.
- 68.2019 Campbell Memorial Award Finalists. locusmag.com.
- 69.2021 Hugo Awards. January 2021.
- 70.2021 Locus Awards.
- 71.World Science Fiction Society. 2023 Hugo Awards. 2023-08-13.
- 72.Locus. 2025 Hugo, Lodestar, and Astounding Awards Winners. 16 Aug 2025.
- 73.Mary Robinette Kowal’s “Marginalia” Won the 2025 Eugie Award!. Uncanny Magazine.
- 74.Mary Robinette Kowal will Return to Space with Two New Lady Astronaut Novels!. Tor.com. 2018-09-18.
- 75.Dumpleton, Elise. Q&A: Mary Robinette Kowal, Author of 'The Martian Contingency'. The Nerd Daily. 2025-03-17.
- 76.Sward, Sarah. Silent Spaces, tales from the Lady Astronauts on Kickstarter now. maryrobinettekowal.com.
- 77.Liptak, Andrew. New tales from the Lady Astronaut. Transfer Orbit.
- 78.Short stories unless otherwise noted.
- 79.Portrait of Ari. Strange Horizons. 30 January 2006.
- 80.Apex Digest 6 Summer 2006. Tangent Online. 2 July 2006.
- 81.For Solo Cello, op. 12. Lightspeed Magazine.
- 82.The Consciousness Problem. Lightspeed Magazine.
- 83.Apex Magazine #41, 2012. Tangent Online.
- 84.The Lady Astronaut of Mars. Reactor.com.
- 85.Midnight Hour. Uncanny Magazine.
- 86.Nails in My Feet. Uncanny Magazine.
- 87.Free Fiction. Mary Robinette Kowal. 22 November 2007.
- 88.Ina’s Spark. Uncanny Magazine.
- 89.Mary Robinette Kowal: An exclusive short story for New Scientist. newscientist.com.
- 90.Cold Relations. Uncanny Magazine.
- 91.Marginalia. Uncanny Magazine.
- 92.In the Moon’s House. Reactor.
- 93.With Her Serpent Locks. Uncanny Magazine.
- 94.To Speak in Silence. Uncanny Magazine.
- 95.Molly on the Moon. Macmillan.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Wikidata, structured authority record Q4225496: Mary Robinette KowalWikimedia Foundation
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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