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Jack McDevitt

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Jack McDevitt
McDevitt at the Festive Bookweek in Budapest, 2010
McDevitt at the Festive Bookweek in Budapest, 2010
Born (1935-04-14) April 14, 1935 (age 89)
OccupationNovelist, short story writer
NationalityAmerican
Alma materLa Salle University
Period1981–present
GenreScience fiction
Website
jackmcdevitt.com

Jack McDevitt (born April 14, 1935)[1] is an American science fiction author whose novels frequently deal with attempts to make contact with alien races, and with archaeology or xenoarchaeology. Most of his books follow either superluminal pilot Priscilla "Hutch" Hutchins or galactic relic hunters Alex Benedict and Chase Kolpath. McDevitt has received numerous nominations for Hugo, Nebula, and John W. Campbell awards. Seeker won the 2006 Nebula Award for Best Novel.

McDevitt's first published story was "The Emerson Effect" in The Twilight Zone Magazine in 1981.

Biography

McDevitt went to La Salle University, where a short story of his won the annual Freshman Short Story Contest and was published in the school's literary magazine, Four Quarters. As McDevitt explained in an interview:

I was on my way. Then I read David Copperfield and realized I could never write at that level, and therefore I should find something else to do. I joined the Navy, drove a cab, became an English teacher, took a customs inspector's job on the northern border, and didn't write another word for a quarter-century.

McDevitt received a master's degree in literature from Wesleyan University in 1971.[2] He returned to writing when his wife, Maureen, encouraged him to try his hand at it in 1980. As of 2007, McDevitt lives near Brunswick, Georgia. In 2005, he donated his archive to the department of Rare Books and Special Collections at Northern Illinois University. The novel Seeker won the 2006 Nebula Award for Best Novel, given by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. He has been nominated for the Nebula Award sixteen times; Seeker is his only win.[3][4]

Themes

With The Engines of God (1994), McDevitt introduced the idea of a universe that was once teeming with intelligent life, but contains only their abandoned artifacts by the time humans arrive on the scene. The main character of The Engines of God, pilot Priscilla Hutchins, has since appeared in seven more books, Deepsix (2001), Chindi (2002), Omega (2003), Odyssey (2006), Cauldron (2007), StarHawk (2013), and The Long Sunset (2018). The mystery surrounding the destructive "Omega Clouds" (which are introduced in The Engines of God) is left unexplored until Omega.[5]

McDevitt's novels frequently raise questions which he does not attempt to answer. He prefers to leave ambiguities to puzzle and intrigue his readers: "Some things are best left to the reader's very able imagination."[5] The SF Site's Steven H Silver has written about this:

McDevitt has a (probably unintentional) tendency to give the impression that his novels will go in one direction and then take them in a different direction. Or possibly his background is so well thought out, that throw away lines, or subplots, or minor characters, have enough information behind them to make the reader want to see their story as much as the main plot of the book. While slightly annoying, this is, I've decided, a strength of McDevitt's writing since it shows the depth of his created worlds.[6]

Bibliography

Novels

Academy Series - Priscilla "Hutch" Hutchins
  • StarHawk (2013), prequel ISBN 0-425-26085-2
  • The Engines of God (1994), book 1 ISBN 0-441-00077-0
  • Deepsix (2001), book 2 ISBN 0-06-105124-1
  • Chindi (2002), book 3 ISBN 0-441-00938-7
  • Omega (2003), book 4 ISBN 0-441-01046-6
  • Odyssey (2006), book 5 ISBN 0-441-01433-X
  • Cauldron (2007), book 6 ISBN 0-441-01525-5
  • The Long Sunset (2018), book 7 ISBN 1-481-49793-6

The short stories "Melville on Iapetus" (1983), "Promises to Keep" (1984), "Oculus" (2002), "The Big Downtown" (2005),[7] "Kaminsky at War" (2006), "Maiden Voyage" (2012), "Waiting at the Altar" (2012), and "The Cat's Pajamas" (2012) are also set in the Academy universe.

Alex Benedict

The short stories "In the Tower" (1987) and "A Voice in the Night" (2013) are also set in the Alex Benedict universe.

Ancient Shores

Short fiction

Collections

List of stories

Title Year First published Reprinted/collected Notes
The Emerson Effect 1981 McDevitt, Jack (Dec 1981). "The Emerson Effect". Rod Serling's the Twilight Zone Magazine: 74–83. ? ?
The Far Shore 1982 McDevitt, Jack (Jun 1982). "The Far Shore". Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine. 6 (6): 64–79.
Black to Move 1982 McDevitt, Jack (Sep 1982). "Black to Move". Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine. 6 (9): 104–111.
Crossing Over 1983 McDevitt, Jack (Jan–Feb 1983). "Crossing Over". Rod Serling's the Twilight Zone Magazine. 2 (11): 26–34.
Cryptic 1983 McDevitt, Jack (Apr 1983). "Cryptic". Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine. 7 (4): 58–75.
Melville on Iapetus 1983 McDevitt, Jack (Nov 1983). "Melville on Iapetus". Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine. 7 (11): 91–100. set in the Academy universe
Translations from the Colosian 1984 McDevitt, Jack (Sep 1984). "Translations from the Colosian". Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine. 8 (9): 46–59.
Promises to Keep 1984 McDevitt, Jack (Dec 1984). "Promises to Keep". Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine. 8 (12): 42–62. set in the Academy universe
Tidal Effects 1985 McDevitt, Jack (Aug 1985). "Tidal Effects". Universe 15: 149–154.
The Jersey Rifle 1988 McDevitt, Jack (Nov–Dec 1988). "The Jersey Rifle". Critical Mass. 1 (1): 5–11.
The Eagle Project 2013 McDevitt, Jack (Nov 2013). "The Eagle Project". Analog Science Fiction and Fact. 133 (11): 50–53.
  • "Voice in the Dark" (1986)
  • "Combinations" (1986)
  • "Dutchman" (1987) - later re-worked as the full-length novel A Talent for War
  • "In the Tower" (1987) - takes place in the same universe as the Alex Benedict novels
  • "To Hell with the Stars" (1987)
  • "Sunrise" (1988) - a modified version of Chapter 15 of the full-length novel A Talent for War
  • "Last Contact" (1988)
  • "The Fort Moxie Branch" (1988)
  • "Whistle" (1989)
  • "Leap of Faith" (1989)
  • "Time's Arrow" (1989) - originally published as "Hard Landings"
  • "Tracks" (1989)
  • "It's a Long Way to Alpha Centauri" (1990)
  • "Happy Birthday" (1990) - with Mark L. Van Name, a prose story in The Further Adventures of The Joker
  • "Tyger" (1991)
  • "Date with Destiny" (1991)
  • "Lake Agassiz" (1991)
  • "Gus" (1991)
  • "Valkyrie" (1991)
  • "The Tomb" (1991)
  • "Auld Lang Boom" (1992)
  • "Ships in the Night" (1993)
  • "Midnight Clear" (1993)
  • "Talk Radio" (1993)
  • "Standard Candles" (1994)
  • "Blinker" (1994)
  • "Windrider" (1994)
  • "Glory Days" (1994)
  • "Ellie" (1995)
  • "Cruising through Deuteronomy" (1995)
  • "Deus Tex" (1996)
  • "Time Travelers Never Die" (1996) - later re-worked as a full-length novel with the same name
  • "Holding Pattern" (1996)
  • "Never Despair" (1997)
  • "Variables" (1997)
  • "Report from the Rear" (1998)
  • "Good Intentions" (1998) (with Stanley Schmidt)
  • "Dead in the Water" (1999)
  • "Nothing Ever Happens in Rock City" (2001)
  • "Oculus" (2002) - set in the Academy universe
  • "The Law of Gravity Isn't Working on Rainbow Bridge" (2003)
  • "Act of God" (2004)
  • "Windows" (2004)
  • "The Mission" (2004)
  • "Henry James, This One's for You" (2005)
  • "The Big Downtown" (2005) - set in the Academy universe
  • "Ignition" (2005)
  • "The Candidate" (2006)
  • "Lighthouse" (2006) - with Michael Shara, a Kristi Lang and Greg Cooper story
  • "Kaminsky at War" (2006) - set in the Academy universe
  • "Cool Neighbor" (2007) - with Michael Shara, a Kristi Lang and Greg Cooper story
  • "Fifth Day" (2007)
  • "Friends in High Places" (2007)
  • "Tweak" (2007)
  • "Indomitable" (2008)
  • "The Adventure of the Southsea Trunk" (2008)
  • "Molly's Kids" (2008)
  • "Welcome to Valhalla" (2008) (with Kathryn Lance)
  • "The Cassandra Project" (2010) - expanded into a novel with Mike Resnick
  • "Dig Site" (2011)
  • "Maiden Voyage" (2012) - set in the Academy universe
  • "Listen Up, Nitwits" (2012)
  • "The Cat's Pajamas" (2012) - set in the Academy universe
  • "Lucy" (2012)
  • "Waiting at the Altar" (2012)
  • "A Voice in the Night" (2013) - features a sixteen-year-old Alex Benedict
  • "Cathedral" (2013)
  • "Glitch" (June 2013, Analog Science Fiction and Fact. 133 (6): 42–44)
  • "Searching for Oz" (2013)
  • "Enjoy the Moment" (2014)

Essays and other contributions

  • Burroughs, Edgar Rice (2002) [1915]. Pellucidar. Bison Frontiers of Imagination. Introduction by Jack McDevitt. University of Nebraska Press.

Awards and nominations

  • Nebula Best Short Story nominee (1983) : Cryptic
  • Philip K. Dick Award (special citation) (1986) : The Hercules Text [8]
  • Nebula Best Short Story nominee (1988) : "The Fort Moxie Branch"
  • Hugo Best Short Story nominee (1989) : "The Fort Moxie Branch"
  • International UPC Science Fiction Award winner (1993) : "Ships in the Night" (first English language winner) [9]
  • Nebula Best Novella nominee (1996) : "Time Travelers Never Die"
  • Arthur C. Clarke Best Novel nominee (1997) : Engines of God [10]
  • Hugo Best Novella nominee (1997) : "Time Travelers Never Die"
  • Nebula Best Novel nominee (1997) : Ancient Shores [10]
  • Nebula Best Novel nominee (1998) : Moonfall [11]
  • Nebula Best Novelette nominee (1999) : "Good Intentions" (co-writer Stanley Schmidt)
  • Nebula Best Novel nominee (2000) : Infinity Beach [12]
  • John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Novel nominee (2001) : Infinity Beach [13]
  • John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Novel nominee (2002) : Deepsix [14]
  • Nebula Best Short Story nominee (2002) : "Nothing Ever Happens in Rock City"
  • Nebula Best Novel nominee (2003) : Chindi [15]
  • Campbell Award winner (2004) : Omega [16]
  • Nebula Best Novel nominee (2004) : Omega [16]
  • Nebula Best Novel nominee (2005) : Polaris [17]
  • Nebula Best Novel winner (2006) : Seeker [18]
  • John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Novel nominee (2006) : Seeker [18]
  • John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Novel nominee (2007) : Odyssey [19]
  • Nebula Best Novel nominee (2007) : Odyssey [19]
  • Nebula Best Novel nominee (2008) : Cauldron [20]
  • Nebula Best Novel nominee (2010) : Echo [21]
  • Nebula Best Novel nominee (2011) : Firebird [22]
  • Nebula Best Novel nominee (2014) : Coming Home [23]
  • Robert A. Heinlein Award winner (2015) [24]

See also

References

  1. ^ "I've been having a great birthday,... - Jack McDevitt (Fan Club)". Facebook. 2015-04-14. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  2. ^ "Locus Online: Jack McDevitt interview excerpts". Locusmag.com. 2005-09-29. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  3. ^ "Jack McDevitt's News". Archived from the original on September 9, 2005. Retrieved August 6, 2005.
  4. ^ "Jack McDevitt". Locus Index to Science Fiction Awards. Locus. Archived from the original on 2008-03-08. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
  5. ^ a b "The Author Comments: Omega". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved May 2, 2007.
  6. ^ Silver, Steven H. (1989). "A Talent for War by Jack McDevitt". SF Site. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  7. ^ "Connected Narratives". Archived from the original on September 19, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  8. ^ "1987 Award Winners & Nominees | WWEnd". Worldswithoutend.com. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  9. ^ "Syfy - Watch Full Episodes | Imagine Greater". Scifi.com. Archived from the original on 2008-06-16. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  10. ^ a b "1997 Award Winners & Nominees | WWEnd". Worldswithoutend.com. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  11. ^ "1998 Award Winners & Nominees | WWEnd". Worldswithoutend.com. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  12. ^ "2000 Award Winners & Nominees | WWEnd". Worldswithoutend.com. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  13. ^ "2001 Award Winners & Nominees | WWEnd". Worldswithoutend.com. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  14. ^ "2002 Award Winners & Nominees | WWEnd". Worldswithoutend.com. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  15. ^ "2003 Award Winners & Nominees | WWEnd". Worldswithoutend.com. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  16. ^ a b "2004 Award Winners & Nominees | WWEnd". Worldswithoutend.com. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  17. ^ "2005 Award Winners & Nominees | WWEnd". Worldswithoutend.com. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  18. ^ a b "2006 Award Winners & Nominees | WWEnd". Worldswithoutend.com. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  19. ^ a b "2007 Award Winners & Nominees | WWEnd". Worldswithoutend.com. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  20. ^ "2008 Award Winners & Nominees | WWEnd". Worldswithoutend.com. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  21. ^ "announces the 2010 Nebula Award Nominees". SFWA.org. 2011-02-22. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  22. ^ "2011 Award Winners & Nominees | WWEnd". Worldswithoutend.com. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  23. ^ "Announcing the 2014 Nebula Awards Winners!". Tor.com. Jun 6, 2015.
  24. ^ "BSFS's Robert A. Heinlein Award Page [Version DA-16]".
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