Ursula Vernon

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Ursula Vernon
Vernon in 2017
BornUrsula Vernon
(1977-05-28) May 28, 1977 (age 46)
Japan[1]
NationalityAmerican
Area(s)Writer, artist, webcomics creator
Pseudonym(s)T. Kingfisher
Notable works
Digger, Dragonbreath series, Nettle & Bone
AwardsUrsa Major Award, Hugo Award, Nebula Award, Mythopoeic Award, WSFA Small Press Award

Ursula Vernon (born May 28, 1977) is an American freelance writer, artist and illustrator. She has won numerous awards for her work in various mediums, including Hugo Awards for her graphic novel Digger and fantasy novel Nettle & Bone, the Nebula Award for her short story "Jackalope Wives", and Mythopoeic Awards for adult and children's literature. Vernon's books for children include Hamster Princess and Dragonbreath. Under the name T. Kingfisher, she is also the author of books for older audiences. She writes short fiction under both names.

Career[edit]

Ursula Vernon grew up in Oregon and Arizona. She studied anthropology at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where she first took art classes.[2] She first became known for her webcomics and as a freelance artist, particularly for her works containing anthropomorphic animals. She then moved into writing and illustrating a number of children's books, her first being published in 2008, and then books for adults under the pseudonym T. Kingfisher.[3][4] She decided to start using the pseudonym in order to avoid confusion amongst parents who were only familiar with her as a children's book author,[5] and chose it because she loves kingfishers (and as an homage to Ursula K. LeGuin, who once joked that the initials "U.K." could stand for "Ulysses Kingfisher").[6] Vernon has published short fiction under both names, and has won a number of awards for them including the Hugo Award and Nebula Award.

She regularly attends conventions to exhibit and sell her work. She has been a guest of honor at Midwest FurFest 2004 and 2009, and the Artist Guest of Honor at Further Confusion 2010. Vernon was the Author Guest of Honor for Mythcon 45[7] and a Guest of Honor at Eurofurence 20, both in August 2014. In 2017, she was the Author Guest of Honor at Arisia '17.

Vernon podcasts with her husband, Kevin Sonney.[8]

In June 2023, Vernon announced she had been diagnosed with breast cancer;[9] however, by December of that year, she announced that her treatment had been successful and she was "cancer-free".[10]

Works[edit]

Books for younger audiences[edit]

Vernon is the author and illustrator of the Dragonbreath and Hamster Princess children's book series, published by Dial Books:

Dragonbreath series[edit]

  • Dragonbreath. (2009). 0-8037-3363-1
  • Dragonbreath: Attack of the Ninja Frogs. (2010). 0-8037-3365-8
  • Dragonbreath: Curse of the Were-Weiner. (2010). 0-8037-3469-7
  • Dragonbreath: Lair of the Bat Monster. (2011). 0-8037-3525-1
  • Dragonbreath: No Such Thing as Ghosts. (2011). 0-8037-3527-8
  • Dragonbreath: Revenge of the Horned Bunnies. (2012). 0-8037-3677-0
  • Dragonbreath: When Fairies Go Bad. (2012). 0-8037-3678-9
  • Dragonbreath: Nightmare of the Iguana. (2013). 0-8037-3846-3
  • Dragonbreath: The Case of the Toxic Mutants. (2013). 0-8037-3847-1
  • Dragonbreath: Knight-napped!. (2015). 0-8037-3849-8
  • Dragonbreath: The Frozen Menace. (2016). 0-8037-3986-9

Hamster Princess series[edit]

  • Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible. (August 18, 2015). 0-8037-3983-4
  • Hamster Princess: Of Mice and Magic. (March 15, 2016). 0-8037-3984-2
  • Hamster Princess: Ratpunzel. (October 18, 2016). 0-8037-3985-0
  • Hamster Princess: Giant Trouble. (May 9, 2017). 0-3991-8652-2
  • Hamster Princess: Whiskerella. (January 23, 2018). 0-3991-8655-7
  • Hamster Princess: Little Red Rodent Hood. (September 25, 2018). 0-3991-8658-1

Other children's books[edit]

Books for older audiences[edit]

Written as Ursula Vernon:

  • It Made Sense at the Time: Selected Sketches. (November 18, 2004). Sofawolf Press. 978-0-971267-06-0
  • Black Dogs Part 1: The House of Diamond. (March 1, 2007). Sofawolf Press. 978-0-976921-24-0
  • Black Dogs Part 2: The Mountain of Iron. (January 1, 2011). Sofawolf Press. 978-1-936689-03-3

Temple of the White Rat books[edit]

The following books were written under the name T. Kingfisher and take place in what Vernon calls "the Temple of the White Rat world."[11][12]

  • Clockwork Boys. Clocktaur War #1. (November 21, 2017). Red Wombat Tea Company. ISBN 1614504067
  • The Wonder Engine. Clocktaur War #2. (February 27, 2018). Red Wombat Tea Company ISBN 978-1614504177
  • Swordheart. (November 27, 2018). Argyll Productions. ISBN 978-1614504634
  • Paladin's Grace. The Saint of Steel #1. (February 11, 2020) Red Wombat Studio. ISBN 978-1614505211
  • Paladin's Strength. The Saint of Steel #2. (February 28, 2021). Red Wombat Studio. ISBN 978-1614505303
  • Paladin's Hope. The Saint of Steel #3. (October 9, 2021). Red Wombat Studio. ISBN 978-1614505518
  • Paladin's Faith. The Saint of Steel #4. (December 5, 2023). Red Wombat Studio. ISBN 978-1614506096

The Sworn Soldier books[edit]

Under the pen name T. Kingfisher:

Other books for older audiences[edit]

Under the pen name T. Kingfisher:

Webcomics[edit]

Vernon is the author of the Eisner Award-nominated and Hugo Award-winning webcomic Digger.[13] A fantasy story featuring an anthropomorphic wombat,[2][14] it is also available in six paperback books published between 2005 and 2011: Vol. 1 (ISBN 0-9769212-2-7), Vol. 2 (ISBN 0-9769212-6-X), Vol. 3 (ISBN 0-9791496-3-0), Vol. 4 (ISBN 0-9819883-3-4), Vol. 5 (ISBN 0-9819883-9-3), and Vol. 6 (ISBN 1-9366890-6-5), and as Digger: The Complete Omnibus Edition (ISBN 1-936689-32-4), published in 2013. She is also the writer and illustrator of the webcomic Irrational Fears and the short stories "Little Creature" and "Little Creature and the Redcap".

Illustrations and art[edit]

Before becoming a published children's book author Vernon was primarily a freelance artist and illustrator, and she still regularly produces new works of art. Her work includes the creation of digital art as well as the use of more traditional mediums such as watercolour and acrylics, with much of her more recent work being mixed media. Most of her art work is available as prints. Vernon has also taken commercial commissions such as book covers and game art.

The game Black Sheep designed by Reiner Knizia and published by Fantasy Flight Games uses art by Vernon on its playing cards.[15]

Her artwork titled The Biting Pear of Salamanca became an internet meme in the form of the "LOL WUT pear"[16] and has been made into a resin figurine due to its popularity.[17] She has also designed labels for a series of tea and soap products.[18][19][citation needed]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Award Category Year Work Result Ref.
British Fantasy Award Horror Novel 2020 The Twisted Ones Nominated [20]
2021 The Hollow Places Nominated [20]
Dragon Award Horror Novel 2020 The Twisted Ones Won [21]
2021 The Hollow Places Won [22]
YA / Middle Grade Novel 2021 A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking Won [22]
Hugo Award Graphic Story 2012 Digger Won [23]
Novelette 2017 "The Tomato Thief" Won [24]
Short Story 2018 "Sun, Moon, Dust" Nominated [25]
2019 “The Rose MacGregor Drinking and Admiration Society” Nominated [20]
2021 “Metal Like Blood in the Dark” Won [26]
Series 2022 The World of the White Rat Nominated [20][27]
Novel 2023 Nettle & Bone Won [28]
Locus Award Fantasy Novel 2017 The Wonder Engine Nominated [20]
2022 Paladin's Strength Nominated [29]
Horror Novel 2020 The Twisted Ones Nominated [20]
2021 The Hollow Places Nominated [20]
2023 What Moves the Dead Won [30]
Short Story 2021 "Fisher-Bird" Nominated [20]
Young Adult Book 2021 A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking Won [31]
Lodestar Award Young Adult Book 2018 Summer in Orcus Nominated [20]
2020 Minor Mage Nominated [20]
2021 A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking Won [26]
Mythopoeic Award Adult Literature 2012 Digger Won [32]
Children's Literature 2017 Castle Hangnail Won [33]
2021 A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking Won [34]
Nebula Award Novel 2023 Nettle and Bone Nominated [35]
Andre Norton Award[a] 2021 A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking Won [38]
Short Story 2015 "Jackalope Wives" Won [39]
World Fantasy Award Short Fiction 2015 "Jackalope Wives" Nominated [40]

Vernon has also received the following accolades:

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ In 2019, SFWA announced that the Andre Norton Award is considered a Nebula category.[36][37] It is awarded for middle grade or young adult science fiction or fantasy (or related genre), including graphic novels.

References[edit]

  1. ^ locusmag (April 12, 2021). "Ursula Vernon: Shiny New Idea". Locus Online. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Vernon, Ursula; Patrick Keith (September 2004). "Interview with Ursula Vernon". www.epilogue.net. Retrieved March 6, 2011. Digger, ... is a fantasy about a wombat
  3. ^ "T. Kingfisher". Goodreads. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  4. ^ Books for Adults, by Ursula Vernon, at RedWombatStudio.com; retrieved October 20, 2020
  5. ^ "Interview with Ursula Vernon". Apex Magazine. January 6, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  6. ^ "Q&A: T.Kingfisher". www.thenerddaily.com. October 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  7. ^ "Mythcon 45 – August 2014 – Mythopoeic Society". Mythopoeic Society. Archived from the original on April 6, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  8. ^ "Other media". Red Wombat Studio. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  9. ^ "Pixel Scroll 6/17/23 Whoever Lives in Glass Pixels Should Not Throw Scrolls". June 18, 2023.
  10. ^ "Pixel Scroll 12/30/23 Always Cool To See A Reference To Big Pixel And The Scrolling Company". December 29, 2023.
  11. ^ Vernon, Ursula [@UrsulaV] (February 11, 2020). "You do not have to read the other books in the Temple of the White Rat world, this is a fine entry point! But if you like it, we have three other books that you may enjoy afterward in the same universe!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. ^ Vernon, Ursula [@UrsulaV] (February 11, 2020). "Oh no obtuseness! No worries! Clockwork Boys & The Wonder Engine are a duology in the same universe. Swordheart stands alone but will eventually be a trilogy" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ^ Cruz, Larry (July 16, 2010). "The Webcomic Overlook #127: Digger". Retrieved February 17, 2011. best known for Digger
  14. ^ Boxer, Sarah (August 17, 2005). "CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK; Comics Escape a Paper Box, and Electronic Questions Pop Out". The New York Times. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  15. ^ "Reiner Knizia's Black Sheep". Fantasy Flight Games. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  16. ^ Ursula Vernon (February 27, 2006). "The Biting Pear of Salamanca". Retrieved March 30, 2009.
  17. ^ "Biting Pear (AKA LOL WUT PEAR)". www.patchtogether.com. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  18. ^ Vernon, Ursula (June 5, 2008). "Tea! Tea! Tea!". Red Wombat Studio. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  19. ^ Vernon, Ursula (July 12, 2007). "Red Wombat Studio". Red Wombat Studio. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "T. Kingfisher Awards". Science Fiction Awards Database. Locus Science Fiction Foundation. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  21. ^ "2020 Recipients – The Dragon Award". Dragon Con. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  22. ^ a b "2021 Recipients – The Dragon Award". Dragon Con. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  23. ^ "2012 Nominees". The Hugo Awards. World Science Fiction Society. April 7, 2012. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
  24. ^ "2017 Hugo Awards". The Hugo Awards. World Science Fiction Society. December 31, 2016. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  25. ^ "2018 Hugo Awards". The Hugo Awards. World Science Fiction Society. March 15, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  26. ^ a b "Announcing the 2021 Hugo Award Winners". Tor.com. Macmillan. December 18, 2021.
  27. ^ "2022 Hugo Awards". The Hugo Awards. April 7, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  28. ^ "2023 Hugo Award Winners". File 770. October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  29. ^ "2022 Locus Awards Top Ten Finalists". Locus Magazine. May 10, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  30. ^ "2023 Locus Awards Winners". Locus Online. June 25, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  31. ^ "2020 Locus Award for Young Adult Novel". Locus Magazine. June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  32. ^ "Mythopoeic Awards: 2013 Winners Announced". Mythopoeic Society. Archived from the original on October 6, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  33. ^ "Mythopoeic Awards". Mythopoeic Society. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  34. ^ "Mythopoeic Awards — 2021". The Mythopoeic Society. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  35. ^ "SFWA Names the 58th Nebula Award Finalists". Nebula Awards. March 7, 2023.
  36. ^ "Nebula Rules". Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. October 2011. Archived from the original on July 1, 2011. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  37. ^ Levine, David D. (April 10, 2019). "I am now officially a Nebula Award winner!". daviddlevine.com. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  38. ^ "2020 Andre Norton Award". Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  39. ^ "2014 Nebula Award Winners Announced". Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. June 6, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  40. ^ "World Fantasy Awards 2015". Science Fiction Awards Database. Locus Science Fiction Foundation. Archived from the original on November 2, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  41. ^ "Award Winners 2003". Ursa Major Awards. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  42. ^ "Master Nominee List 2006 Eisner Awards". San Diego Comic-Con International. Archived from the original on June 14, 2006. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  43. ^ "2005 Results". Web Cartoonists' Choice Awards. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  44. ^ "2007 Results". Web Cartoonists' Choice Awards. Archived from the original on February 4, 2010. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  45. ^ "WSFA Small Press Award Winner". Locus Magazine. October 12, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  46. ^ "Ursula Vernon Awards". Science Fiction Awards Database. Locus Science Fiction Foundation. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  47. ^ "WSFA Small Press Award - The History". Washington Science Fiction Association. Retrieved October 2, 2021.

External links[edit]

Personal websites

Socials

Catalogs

Publishers

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