Sharon Lee (born September 11, 1952) is an American science fiction, fantasy and mystery author who lived in Winslow, Maine from 1988 to 2018 before moving to nearby Waterville. She is the co-author (with Steve Miller) of the Liaden universe novels and stories, as well as other works, and individually the author of several mystery and fantasy novels.
Background
Born Sharon Lee Backof in Baltimore, Maryland, Lee graduated from Parkville Senior High School in 1970, and attended University of Maryland, Baltimore County during the late 1970s while employed as Administrative Aide to the Dean of the School of Social Work and Community Planning at the UMAB Professional Schools in downtown Baltimore. Sharon Lee and Steve Miller were married in 1980. In 1988, they relocated to central Maine, living in Winslow. In early 2018, they moved "into town" to nearby Waterville (on the other side of the Kennebec River).Lee, Sharon. "Liaden Universe® Infodump No. 120" Sharon Lee, Writer blog; May 26, 2018
Throughout her life, Lee has been employed as various flavors of secretary, as well as advertising copywriter, call-in talk hostess, nightside news copy editor, freelance reporter, photographer, book reviewer, and deliverer of tractor trailers. Beginning in August 1997, she served three years as the executive director of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and was subsequently elected vice president, then president of that organization.
Lee's first professional fiction publication was "A Matter of Ceremony," Amazing Stories, 1980. Her most notable works to date are the books in the Liaden Universe, written in conjunction with her husband, Steve Miller, published by Baen Books, and which are considered part of the space opera sub-genre. Lee and Miller also co-authored the Fey Duology - Duainfey and Longeye. Lee has written a contemporary fantasy series based in Maine - Carousel series (Archer's Beach), which includes 3 novels published by Baen Books and several short stories. In addition, she has written two Maine-based mystery novels—Barnburner and Gunshy—and several dozen short stories.
Bibliography
Carousel series (Archer's Beach) Carousel Tides (2010) () Carousel Sun (2014) () Carousel Seas (2014) () Surfside (2013) The Gift of Magic (2015) Spell Bound (2016)
Jen Pierce Mysteries (based in Maine) Barnburner (2002) () Gunshy (2006) ()
Liaden Universe novels
(coauthored with Steve Miller)
Agent of Change Sequence Agent of Change (1988) Conflict of Honors (1988) Carpe Diem (1989) Plan B (1999) I Dare (2002) Local Custom (2002) Scout's Progress (2002) Mouse and Dragon (2010) Partners in Necessity (Omnibus edition of Agent of Change, Conflict of Honors, and Carpe Diem) (2000) Pilot's Choice (Omnibus edition of Local Custom and Scout's Progress) (2001) The Dragon Variation (Omnibus edition of Local Custom, Scout's Progress and Conflict of Honors) (2010) The Agent Gambit (Omnibus edition of Agent of Change, Carpe Diem) (2011) Korval's Game (Omnibus edition of Plan B and I Dare) (2011)
The Great Migration Crystal Soldier (2005) Crystal Dragon (2006) The Crystal Variation (Omnibus edition of Crystal Soldier, Crystal Dragon and Balance of Trade) (20110901)
Other Liad novels Necessity's Child (2013) Theo Waitley Fledgling (2009) Saltation (2010) Ghost Ship (2011) Dragon Ship (2012) Dragon in Exile (2015) Alliance of Equals (2016) The Gathering Edge (2017) Neogenesis (2018) Accepting the Lance (2019) Trader's Leap (2020) Jethri Gobelyn Balance of Trade (2004) Trade Secret (2013),
Liaden Universe Short Story Collections A Liaden Universe Constellation (2013) A Liaden Universe Constellation, Volume 2 (2014) A Liaden Universe Constellation, Volume 3 (2015) A Liaden Universe Constellation, Volume 4 (2019) A Liaden Universe Constellation, Volume 5 (2022)
The Fey Duology (coauthored with Steve Miller) Duainfey Longeye
Other Novels coauthored with Steve Miller The Tomorrow Log (2003) The Sword of Orion (2005)
Anthology co-edited with Steve Miller Low Port (2003)
Awards and recognition
Year Organization Award title, Category Work Result Refs 1981 Fool-Con Balrog Award, Short Fiction A Matter of Ceremony 2002 Romantic Times Romantic Times Book Club Reviewers Choice Award for Best Science Fiction Novel Scout's Progress 2002 Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal (FF&P) Chapter of the Romance Writers of America Prism Award Scout's Progress 2002 Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal (FF&P) Chapter of the Romance Writers of America Prism Award Local Custom 2005 Golden Duck Award Hal Clement Award Balance of Trade 2010 Golden Duck Award Hal Clement Award Fledgling 2011 SF Site SF Site Reader's Poll Saltation 2012 SF Site SF Site Reader's Poll Ghost Ship 2012 Edward E. Smith Memorial Award Skylark n/a 2013 SF Site SF Site Reader's Poll Dragon Ship 2014 Locus (magazine) Locus Award, Science Fiction Novel Trade Secret 2014 Locus (magazine) Locus Award, Science Fiction Novel Necessity's Child 2025 Heinlein Society Robert A. Heinlein Award n/a
Science fiction conventions She and Steve Miller have been a Guest of Honor or Special Guest at a number of science fiction conventions, including: SiliCon (1998); SheVaCon (2000, 2003); Albacon (2002); Balticon (2003, 2016); MarsCon (2003, 2017); PortConME (2004, 2011); CONduit and Trinoc*coN (2004); Penguicon and COSine (2006); Stellarcon (2009); DucKon and Oasis (2010); ConQuesT and Chattacon (2012); Philcon (2014); Ravencon (2016); and ConFluence (2017).
On fan fiction Lee and Miller strongly oppose fan fiction written in their universe, with Sharon Lee stating on her website "I don’t want 'other people interpreting' our characters. Interpreting our characters is what Steve and I do; it’s our job. Nobody else is going to get it right. This may sound rude and elitist, but honestly, it’s not easy for us to get it right sometimes, and we’ve been living with these characters... for a very long time... We built our universes, and our characters; they are our intellectual property; and they are not toys lying about some virtual sandbox for other kids to pick up and modify at their whim. Steve and I do not sanction fanfic written in our universes; any such work that exists, exists without our permission, and certainly without our support."
References
External links