Ursula LeGuin American Speculative Fiction Writer.

 Began writing Fantasy and Science Fiction as a child. Submitted a story to Astounding Science Fiction at age 11.  The second woman named a Grandmaster of Science Fiction.  U.S. Library of Congress made LeGuin a Living Legend. Ursula K. LeGuin

Rocannon’s World – 1 st published novel The Wizard of Earthsea – Initially a trilogy, later expanded to six books. Lathe of Heaven Left Hand of Darkness The Dispossessed Selected Novels

Born Ursula Kroeber October 21, 1929, in Berkeley, CA. Her parents were both Professors of Anthropology. Submitted her 1 st short story at age 11 to Astounding Science Fiction Magazine Grew up in the Great Depression and WWII Attended public school in Berkley, CA. Received a Fulbright Scholarship to study French in Paris Life Events

Met her future husband, Charles Le Guin on the ship to France. Settled in Portland, OR, when her husband, a historian was employed at Portland State. Most important works were in the late sixties, early seventies. Groundbreaking responses reflecting the changing societal attitudes toward sex, gender, equality and war. Written poetry and prose in various genres, including realistic fiction, science fiction, fantasy, children's picture books, books for young adults, plays and screenplays, essays, a libretto for an opera. Nominated for many, many awards. Life Events

I talk about the gods, I am an atheist. But I am an artist too, and therefore a liar. Distrust everything I say. I am telling the truth. To light a candle is to cast a shadow. “Ogion went on a half-mile or so, and said at last, 'To hear, one must be silent'.” A Wizard of Earthsea A Wizard of Earthsea “But it is one thing to read about dragons and another to meet them.” A Wizard of Earthsea A Wizard of Earthsea “If women had power, what would men be but women who can't bear children? And what would women be but men who can?" Urula K. LeGuin Quotations

human [beings] have no fixed gender: their sexual roles are determined by context and express themselves only once every month? The Left Hand of Darkness what if you had the power to shape reality just by dreaming it? The Lathe of Heaven Anarchy was not a bad thing, a thing to be feared? The Dispossessed What if.....?

Robert Heinlein once told [David Hartwell, SF critic/author] that Le Guin was the “best writer of her generation.” “Trying to measure Le Guin’s importance to the field [of SF&F] was like trying to figure out ‘what salt means to the sea.’” Michael Swanwick Quotes about LeGuin's influence

Britt, Ryan. "Did Ursula Le Guin Change the Course of SFF?." Tor.Com. Tor Publishing, 20 Oct Web. 15 Jan "Ursula K. Le Guin/ Ursula K. Le Guin/Biographical Sketch." Mid-America Library Alliance Sept (2010): n.pag. Web. 15 Jan Le Guin, Ursula K. Forward. “The Wind’s Twelve Quarters.” Harper & Row. New York Works Cited