Kij Johnson (; born Katherine Irenae Johnson January 20, 1960 in Harlan, Iowa) is an American writer of fantasy. She is a faculty member at the University of Kansas.
Life and career
Kij Johnson was born in Harlan, Iowa. She received her BA from St. Olaf College in 1982, studied creative writing and literature at the University of Minnesota and at University of Kansas, She joined the University of Kansas English Department as assistant professor of fiction writing in fall 2012, where she is associate director of The Center for the Study of Science Fiction. In 2017, she was promoted to associate professor.
Johnson has worked extensively in publishing: managing editor for Tor Books and TSR (later Wizards of the Coast), collections editor for Dark Horse Comics, and content manager working on the Microsoft Reader. In her time at Wizards of the Coast, she was also continuity manager for Magic: The Gathering and creative director for AD&D settings Greyhawk and Forgotten Realms. Johnson served as a final judge for the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award from 1997 to 2021. the 2010 Nebula (tied) for "Ponies", and the 2012 Nebula Award and Hugo Award for best novella for "The Man Who Bridged the Mist".
In January 2013, Johnson gave the inaugural Tolkien Lecture at Pembroke College, Oxford, speaking on the topic of fantasy literature.
Selected awards and nominations
source:
Hugo Award
- Winner, Novella (2012). "The Man Who Bridged the Mist".
- Winner, Long Fiction (2017). The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe.
- Winner, Short Fiction (2009). "26 Monkeys, Also the Abyss".
- Nominated, Collection (2013). At the Mouth of the River of Bees: Stories.