Marion Zimmer Bradley

Marion Eleanor Zimmer Bradley (June 3, 1930 - September 25, 1999) was a prolific author of largely feminist fantasy novels such as The Mists of Avalon and was a steadfast encourager of equality (and quality) in writing. In literary circles, she is often referred to by her initials, "MZB," a nickname reinforced by her good friend and editor, Donald A. Wollheim.

Literary career

Bradley was the editor of the long-running Sword and Sorceress anthology series, which encouraged submissions of fantasy stories featuring original and non-traditional heroines from young and upcoming authors. Although she encouraged in particular young female authors, she was not averse to including males in her anthologies. Mercedes Lackey was just one of many authors who first appeared in the anthologies. She also maintained a large family of writers at her home in Berkeley. Ms Bradley was editing the final Sword and Sorceress manuscript up until the week of her death.

Related Topics:
Sword and Sorceress - Anthology - Mercedes Lackey

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She created the planet of Darkover as a setting for her own series, writing a large number of Darkover stories as a solo author and later collaborating with other authors to produce Darkover anthologies, where once again she encouraged story submissions from unpublished authors. The Darkover novels may be considered fantasy with science-fiction overtones or science-fiction with fantasy overtones, as Darkover was a lost earth colony where psi powers had developed to a unusual degree.

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Probably her most famous single novel is The Mists of Avalon, a retelling of the Camelot legend from Morgaine and Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere's) point of view that grew into a series of books, too.

Related Topics:
The Mists of Avalon - Camelot - Morgaine - Guinevere

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Writing as Morgan Ives, Miriam Gardner, John Dexter and Lee Chapman, Marion Zimmer Bradley also produced several gay and lesbian-themed novels in the 60s. Though relatively tame by today's standards, they were considered pornographic when published and she refused to disclose the titles.

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In 1966, Bradley became a cofounder of the Society for Creative Anachronism, and she is credited with coining the name of that group.

Related Topics:
1966 - Society for Creative Anachronism

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In 2000 she was awarded the World Fantasy Award for lifetime achievement.

Related Topics:
2000 - World Fantasy Award

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