Linda Addison
Encyclopedia
Linda D. Addison is an American poet
and writer
of horror
, fantasy
, and science fiction
. Addison is the first African-American winner of the Bram Stoker Award
, which she won twice for her poetry collections
Consumed, Reduced to Beautiful Grey Ashes (2001) and Being Full of Light, Insubstantial (2007). She is a founding member of the CITH (Circles in the Hair) writing group.
, on September 8, 1952. She is the eldest of nine children born to Janet Marie Webster (née Warrick) and J. Decarsta Webster. From an early age, Addison was inspired by the power of storytelling. Janet, a homemaker who never graduated from High School; nightly entertained her children with self authored stories and tales, inserting her children as characters in her fantastical fables. The stories always ended on a note of mystery and intrigue, inspiring young Linda to further explore the mysterious and magical, light and dark, eventually she began to journal her feelings, stories and experiences laying the groundwork for her eventual career as a writer.
Addison attended Carnegie Mellon University
in Pittsburgh, PA from 1970–1975, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.
Addison moved to New York City in 1975 with fiancé Ken Addison, and started working in the Foreign Royalty Accounting Department at RCA Records
.
Addison married Ken Addison in 1975 and gave birth to son, Brian in 1982.
and was listed as an Honorable Mention in the annual Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror
anthology (1997).
During her time at Carnegie Mellon, Addison became a fan of legendary Science-Fiction author Isaac Asimov
and began regularly submitting short stories for publication to Asimov’s Science Fiction
Magazine. At the NEW YORK IS BOOK COUNTRY FESTIVAL, Addison met influential Science Fiction Author and Editor Frederik Pohl
. As their discussion turned to publication, Pohl advised that in order to get published in Science Fiction “every one has to write a how the dinosaurs died story.” Addison took the advice and from a short story drafted a poem entitled “Why the Dinosaurs Died” it was published in Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine in 1997. Addison went on to be published a total of four times in Asimov’s Magazine between 1997 -1999.
In 1997, Addison published her first Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror collection of short stories, journal entries and poetry entitled Animated Objects. Animated Objects features an introduction by Science Fiction and Fantasy writer Barry N. Malzberg
.
African American editor Sheree Thomas
put the call out for African American Speculative Fiction
writers to submit for a collection that became the groundbreaking anthology: A Century of Speculative Fiction From The African Diaspora: Dark Matter.
Addison’s work was featured along with Octavia E. Butler
, Samuel Delaney, Tananarive Due
and Walter Mosley
. Addison went on to be included in Dark Dreams and Dark Thirst.
Inspired by transformation, a forced reevaluation of her core belief system following the breakdown of her marriage, like a phoenix Addison created the Bram Stoker Award
winning poetry collection, Consumed, Reduced to Beautiful Grey Ashes. Addison was the first African American to win this prestigious award. Interestingly enough the very first book signing for this collection was held on September 11, 2001 at the Barnes and Noble at Rockefeller Center
. The first poem in the collection is entitled “Fire/Fight,” although the collection came from Addison’s personal journals and reflections previous to the events of 9/11; critics and fans of the book could not help but connect certain themes to current events, like loss, devastation in conjunction with rebirth, rebuilding and the resilience of the human spirit.
In 2007, her third book of poetry and second Bram Stoker Award
winning collection was released: Being Full of Light, Insubstantial. This emotional tour de force was inspired by events beyond Addison’s control. Her beloved mother, Janet was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and Addison felt strangely pulled to her office on January 1, 2007. She describes the experience “as something she had never felt before, it was as if a voice came to her in meditation and gently whispered... 100 poems.” The collection that poured from her was an amalgamation of reprints and new poetry. Addison completed her “100th poem” on March 14, 2007.
Addison is a member of the Horror Writers Association
(HWA) and annually attends the Northeastern Writers’ Conference (Camp Necon) and has participated in panels with Harlan Ellison
, Jack Ketchum
and L.A. Banks
.
Addison was "Poet Guest of Honor" at The World Horror Convention
in 2005.
Addison’s writing has been featured in Essence Magazine, and she is currently the poetry editor for Space and Time Magazine.
Addison has participated in Ellen Datlow’s
Fantastic Fiction Reading Series at KGB Bar
in NYC.
Temple in New Orleans in 2004 by Priestess Miriam.
Addison and Houarner are currently separated.
Addison is an avid practitioner of Tai Chi under the supervision of healer and teacher Rick Barrett.
and paperback edition of Addison's latest collection of science-fiction, fantasy
, and horror called HOW TO RECOGNIZE A DEMON HAS BECOME YOUR FRIEND. The book is a compilation of reprints, currently out of print works, new poems and short stories.
The Four Elements is a collection of poetry inspired by the four elements
to be released in 2012, and published by Bad Moon Books
. The book was inspired by a discussion between Addison and Houarner about female Bram Stoker Award Winners
. Addison contacted three Bram Stoker award winning female authors and asked them to choose their “element.” Marge Simon
(Earth), Rain Graves
(Water), Charlee Jacob
(Fire) and Addison (Air).
Dark Duet is a collaborative book of poetry inspired by music. Addison is working on the collection with Stephen M. Wilson. Wilson is known for concrete poetry
.
, James Baldwin
, Toni Morrison
, Alice Walker
, Gil-Scott Heron
, Langston Hughes
, David Lynch
and Rick Barrett.
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
of horror
Horror fiction
Horror fiction also Horror fantasy is a philosophy of literature, which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten its readers, inducing feelings of horror and terror. It creates an eerie atmosphere. Horror can be either supernatural or non-supernatural...
, fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
, and science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
. Addison is the first African-American winner of the Bram Stoker Award
Bram Stoker Award
The Bram Stoker Award is a recognition presented by the Horror Writers Association for "superior achievement" in horror writing. The awards have been presented annually since 1987, and the winners are selected by ballot of the Active members of the HWA...
, which she won twice for her poetry collections
Bram Stoker Award for Best Poetry Collection
The Bram Stoker Award for Best Poetry Collection is an award presented by the Horror Writers Association for "superior achievement" in horror writing for a poetry collection.-Winners and nominees:Nominees are listed below the winner for each year....
Consumed, Reduced to Beautiful Grey Ashes (2001) and Being Full of Light, Insubstantial (2007). She is a founding member of the CITH (Circles in the Hair) writing group.
Early life
Addison was born in Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, on September 8, 1952. She is the eldest of nine children born to Janet Marie Webster (née Warrick) and J. Decarsta Webster. From an early age, Addison was inspired by the power of storytelling. Janet, a homemaker who never graduated from High School; nightly entertained her children with self authored stories and tales, inserting her children as characters in her fantastical fables. The stories always ended on a note of mystery and intrigue, inspiring young Linda to further explore the mysterious and magical, light and dark, eventually she began to journal her feelings, stories and experiences laying the groundwork for her eventual career as a writer.
Addison attended Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
in Pittsburgh, PA from 1970–1975, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.
Addison moved to New York City in 1975 with fiancé Ken Addison, and started working in the Foreign Royalty Accounting Department at RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
.
Addison married Ken Addison in 1975 and gave birth to son, Brian in 1982.
Career
In 1996, Addison’s short story “Little Red in the Hood” was published in Tomorrow Speculative FictionTomorrow Speculative Fiction
Tomorrow Speculative Fiction was a science fiction magazine from 1993 through 2000. Over this period, it had 24 bi-monthly issues as a print magazine from 1993 - 1997, then transitioned to become one of the first online science fiction publications until 2000, when it ceased publication...
and was listed as an Honorable Mention in the annual Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror
Year's Best Fantasy and Horror
Year's Best Fantasy and Horror is a reprint anthology published annually by St. Martin's Press. In addition to the short stories, supplemented by a list of honorable mentions, each edition includes a number of retrospective essays by the editors and others....
anthology (1997).
During her time at Carnegie Mellon, Addison became a fan of legendary Science-Fiction author Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov was an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000...
and began regularly submitting short stories for publication to Asimov’s Science Fiction
Asimov's Science Fiction
Asimov's Science Fiction is an American science fiction magazine which publishes science fiction and fantasy and perpetuates the name of author and biochemist Isaac Asimov...
Magazine. At the NEW YORK IS BOOK COUNTRY FESTIVAL, Addison met influential Science Fiction Author and Editor Frederik Pohl
Frederik Pohl
Frederik George Pohl, Jr. is an American science fiction writer, editor and fan, with a career spanning over seventy years — from his first published work, "Elegy to a Dead Planet: Luna" , to his most recent novel, All the Lives He Led .He won the National Book Award in 1980 for his novel Jem...
. As their discussion turned to publication, Pohl advised that in order to get published in Science Fiction “every one has to write a how the dinosaurs died story.” Addison took the advice and from a short story drafted a poem entitled “Why the Dinosaurs Died” it was published in Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine in 1997. Addison went on to be published a total of four times in Asimov’s Magazine between 1997 -1999.
In 1997, Addison published her first Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror collection of short stories, journal entries and poetry entitled Animated Objects. Animated Objects features an introduction by Science Fiction and Fantasy writer Barry N. Malzberg
Barry N. Malzberg
Barry Nathaniel Malzberg is an American writer and editor, most often of science fiction and fantasy.-Overview:Initially in his post-graduate work Malzberg sought to establish himself as a playwright as well as a prose-fiction writer. His first two published novels were issed by Olympia Press...
.
African American editor Sheree Thomas
Sheree Thomas
Sheree Thomas also credited as Sheree R. Thomas and Sheree Renée Thomas is a writer, book editor and publisher whose Dark Matter collected the works of some of the best African American Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy writers. Authors such as Samuel R. Delany, Octavia E. Butler, Charles R...
put the call out for African American Speculative Fiction
Speculative fiction by writers of color
Speculative fiction is defined as science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Within those categories exists many other subcategories, for example cyberpunk, magical realism, and psychological horror....
writers to submit for a collection that became the groundbreaking anthology: A Century of Speculative Fiction From The African Diaspora: Dark Matter.
Dark Matter (series)
Dark Matter is an anthology series of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror stories and essays produced by people of African descent. The editor of the series is Sheree Thomas. The first book in the series, Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora won the 2001 World...
Addison’s work was featured along with Octavia E. Butler
Octavia E. Butler
Octavia Estelle Butler was an American science fiction writer, one of the best-known among the few African-American women in the field. She won both Hugo and Nebula awards. In 1995, she became the first science fiction writer to receive the MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant.- Background :Butler...
, Samuel Delaney, Tananarive Due
Tananarive Due
Tananarive Due is an American author.-Biography:Tananarive Priscilla Due was born in Tallahassee, Florida, the oldest of three daughters of civil rights activist Patricia Stephens Due and civil rights lawyer John D. Due Jr...
and Walter Mosley
Walter Mosley
Walter Ellis Mosley is an American novelist, most widely recognized for his crime fiction. He has written a series of best-selling historical mysteries featuring the hard-boiled detective Easy Rawlins, a black private investigator and World War II veteran living in the Watts neighborhood of Los...
. Addison went on to be included in Dark Dreams and Dark Thirst.
Inspired by transformation, a forced reevaluation of her core belief system following the breakdown of her marriage, like a phoenix Addison created the Bram Stoker Award
Bram Stoker Award
The Bram Stoker Award is a recognition presented by the Horror Writers Association for "superior achievement" in horror writing. The awards have been presented annually since 1987, and the winners are selected by ballot of the Active members of the HWA...
winning poetry collection, Consumed, Reduced to Beautiful Grey Ashes. Addison was the first African American to win this prestigious award. Interestingly enough the very first book signing for this collection was held on September 11, 2001 at the Barnes and Noble at Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commercial buildings covering between 48th and 51st streets in New York City, United States. Built by the Rockefeller family, it is located in the center of Midtown Manhattan, spanning the area between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue. It was declared a National...
. The first poem in the collection is entitled “Fire/Fight,” although the collection came from Addison’s personal journals and reflections previous to the events of 9/11; critics and fans of the book could not help but connect certain themes to current events, like loss, devastation in conjunction with rebirth, rebuilding and the resilience of the human spirit.
In 2007, her third book of poetry and second Bram Stoker Award
Bram Stoker Award
The Bram Stoker Award is a recognition presented by the Horror Writers Association for "superior achievement" in horror writing. The awards have been presented annually since 1987, and the winners are selected by ballot of the Active members of the HWA...
winning collection was released: Being Full of Light, Insubstantial. This emotional tour de force was inspired by events beyond Addison’s control. Her beloved mother, Janet was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and Addison felt strangely pulled to her office on January 1, 2007. She describes the experience “as something she had never felt before, it was as if a voice came to her in meditation and gently whispered... 100 poems.” The collection that poured from her was an amalgamation of reprints and new poetry. Addison completed her “100th poem” on March 14, 2007.
Addison is a member of the Horror Writers Association
Horror Writers Association
The Horror Writers Association is a worldwide non-profit organization of professional writers and publishing professionals dedicated to promoting the interests of Horror and Dark Fantasy writers. It was formed in the 1980s with the help of many of the field's greats, including Joe Lansdale, Robert...
(HWA) and annually attends the Northeastern Writers’ Conference (Camp Necon) and has participated in panels with Harlan Ellison
Harlan Ellison
Harlan Jay Ellison is an American writer. His principal genre is speculative fiction.His published works include over 1,700 short stories, novellas, screenplays, teleplays, essays, a wide range of criticism covering literature, film, television, and print media...
, Jack Ketchum
Jack Ketchum
Jack Ketchum is the pseudonym for American author Dallas Mayr . He is the recipient of four Bram Stoker Awards and three further nominations. Many of his novels have been adapted to film, including The Girl Next Door and Red...
and L.A. Banks
Leslie Esdaile Banks
Leslie Esdaile Banks was an American writer. She wrote in various genres, including African American literature, romance, women's fiction, crime suspense, dark fantasy/horror and non-fiction...
.
Addison was "Poet Guest of Honor" at The World Horror Convention
World Horror Convention
The World Horror Convention is an annual professional gathering of the World Horror Society and other interested parties.-Site selection:Historically, all World Horror Conventions have been held in the United States or Canada, usually alternating between east and west sides of the country...
in 2005.
Addison’s writing has been featured in Essence Magazine, and she is currently the poetry editor for Space and Time Magazine.
Addison has participated in Ellen Datlow’s
Ellen Datlow
Ellen Datlow is an American science fiction, fantasy, and horror editor and anthologist.-Biography:Datlow was the fiction editor of Omni magazine and Omni Online from 1981 through 1998, and edited the ten associated Omni anthologies...
Fantastic Fiction Reading Series at KGB Bar
KGB (bar)
KGB is a Soviet-era themed bar located in the East Village of New York City at 85 E. 4th Street, New York, NY 10003.-History:Before its present incarnation, the second-floor venue was a speakeasy for Ukrainian Socialists who met behind its double-locked doors to hide their political affiliations...
in NYC.
Personal life
Addison separated from Ken Addison in 1992, and her divorce was finalized in 1995. Addison started a relationship with noted Horror Writer, Gerard Houarner in 1995 and they were married at a VoodooLouisiana Voodoo
Louisiana Voodoo, also known as New Orleans Voodoo, describes a set of underground religious practices which originated from the traditions of the African diaspora. It is a cultural form of the Afro-American religions which developed within the French, Spanish, and Creole speaking African American...
Temple in New Orleans in 2004 by Priestess Miriam.
Addison and Houarner are currently separated.
Addison is an avid practitioner of Tai Chi under the supervision of healer and teacher Rick Barrett.
Current Projects
In October 2011, NECON EBOOKS released an E-BookE-book
An electronic book is a book-length publication in digital form, consisting of text, images, or both, and produced on, published through, and readable on computers or other electronic devices. Sometimes the equivalent of a conventional printed book, e-books can also be born digital...
and paperback edition of Addison's latest collection of science-fiction, fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
, and horror called HOW TO RECOGNIZE A DEMON HAS BECOME YOUR FRIEND. The book is a compilation of reprints, currently out of print works, new poems and short stories.
The Four Elements is a collection of poetry inspired by the four elements
Classical element
Many philosophies and worldviews have a set of classical elements believed to reflect the simplest essential parts and principles of which anything consists or upon which the constitution and fundamental powers of anything are based. Most frequently, classical elements refer to ancient beliefs...
to be released in 2012, and published by Bad Moon Books
Bad Moon Books
Bad Moon Books is a publishing company owned by Roy K. Robbins in Garden Grove, California. In the middle of 1986, they began as a bookseller only, but in 2007 they began publishing. Their works include many Black Quill Award and Bram Stoker Award winners and nominees...
. The book was inspired by a discussion between Addison and Houarner about female Bram Stoker Award Winners
Bram Stoker Award
The Bram Stoker Award is a recognition presented by the Horror Writers Association for "superior achievement" in horror writing. The awards have been presented annually since 1987, and the winners are selected by ballot of the Active members of the HWA...
. Addison contacted three Bram Stoker award winning female authors and asked them to choose their “element.” Marge Simon
Marge Simon
Marge Simon is an American artist and a writer of speculative poetry and fiction. Her poems, short fiction, and illustrations have appeared in hundreds of publications, including Amazing Stories, Nebula Awards 32, Strange Horizons, The Pedestal Magazine, Chizine, Niteblade, Vestal Review, and Dark...
(Earth), Rain Graves
Rain Graves
Rain Graves is an award winning author of horror, fantasy, science fiction and poetry.She is best known for the 2002 Bram Stoker Award winner for Best Poetry Collection, The Gossamer Eye...
(Water), Charlee Jacob
Charlee Jacob
Charlee Jacob is an American author specializing in horror fiction, dark fantasy, and poetry. Her writing career began in 1981 with the publication of several poems under the name Charlee Carter Broach...
(Fire) and Addison (Air).
Dark Duet is a collaborative book of poetry inspired by music. Addison is working on the collection with Stephen M. Wilson. Wilson is known for concrete poetry
Concrete poetry
Concrete poetry or shape poetry is poetry in which the typographical arrangement of words is as important in conveying the intended effect as the conventional elements of the poem, such as meaning of words, rhythm, rhyme and so on....
.
Influences
Addison’s has cited numerous creative influences throughout her life including: Edgar Allen Poe, William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
, James Baldwin
James Baldwin
James Baldwin was an American novelist, essayist and civil rights activist.James Baldwin may also refer to:-Writers:*James Baldwin , American educator, writer and administrator...
, Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison is a Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist, editor, and professor. Her novels are known for their epic themes, vivid dialogue, and richly detailed characters. Among her best known novels are The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon and Beloved...
, Alice Walker
Alice Walker
Alice Malsenior Walker is an American author, poet, and activist. She has written both fiction and essays about race and gender...
, Gil-Scott Heron
Gil Scott-Heron
Gilbert "Gil" Scott-Heron was an American soul and jazz poet, musician, and author known primarily for his work as a spoken word performer in the 1970s and '80s...
, Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes
James Mercer Langston Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry. Hughes is best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance...
, David Lynch
David Lynch
David Keith Lynch is an American filmmaker, television director, visual artist, musician and occasional actor. Known for his surrealist films, he has developed his own unique cinematic style, which has been dubbed "Lynchian", and which is characterized by its dream imagery and meticulous sound...
and Rick Barrett.
Partial Bibliography
- Animated Objects (1997)
- Consumed, Reduced to Beautiful Grey Ashes (2001), Bram Stoker Award for Best Poetry CollectionBram Stoker Award for Best Poetry CollectionThe Bram Stoker Award for Best Poetry Collection is an award presented by the Horror Writers Association for "superior achievement" in horror writing for a poetry collection.-Winners and nominees:Nominees are listed below the winner for each year....
- Being Full of Light, Insubstantial (2007), Bram Stoker Award for Best Poetry Collection