Jack Vance, America's premier author of stylish, atmospheric science fiction, was chosen today by Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) to receive the organization's highest honor, the prestigious Grand Master Award. The Grand Master is awarded by the President of SFWA with the advice and consent of SFWA's Board of Directors and Past Presidents as a recognition of lifetime achievement in science fiction and/or fantasy writing. It represents the pinnacle of peer recognition in the field, and is highly coveted. Past Grand Masters include Robert A. Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, and Isaac Asimov.
Vance, born in 1916, has previously won the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Award. He has been writing since the 1940's, contributing stories to the SF pulp magazines. His first novel, The Dying Earth, appeared in 1950. In the intervening years he has written over thirty novels and many shorter works, and has been extremely influential in the development of the science fiction and fantasy genres. His latest novel, Night Lamp (1996, Tor Books), has received rave reviews and proves that his writing is still as interesting and inventive as ever.
Michael Capobianco, President of SFWA, was quoted as saying, "I'm extremely pleased that Jack Vance will be receiving the Grand Master this year. Vance is by far the most distinguished living science fiction writer, and has produced a body of work which is never less than engaging and elegant. He is a unparalleled as a storyteller and imbues the worlds he creates with a genuine sense of wonder."
SFWA is an organization of nearly 1400 science fiction and fantasy writers, editors, and allied professionals. Founded in 1965 by Damon Knight, the organization's primary goals are to promote the interests of science fiction and fantasy writers and encourage public interest in the genres. It is widely recognized as one of the most effective non-profit writers' organizations in existence.
Each year, SFWA hosts a banquet at which it presents annual achievement awards to honor outstanding creative performance in the science fiction and fantasy field. Awards for the year's best Novel, Novella, Novelette, and Short Story are chosen by vote of the active writer members of the organization. The Grand Master award will be presented to Mr. Vance as the culmination of the this event. This year's Awards Ceremony will be held April 20, 1997 at the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri.
George R. R. Martin, Vice President of SFWA and former winner of several Nebula Awards, calls Vance "the greatest living SF writer" and says, "His work continues to exhibit imagination, originality, and style."
The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction says, "As a landscape artist, a gardener of worlds, Jack Vance has been for half a century central to both science fiction and fantasy. He has a genius of place."
Reporters planning on attending the ceremony in Kansas City should contact Robin Wayne Bailey at (816) 753-2450. For further information about SFWA contact Michael Capobianco at (301) 870-9181.