Lynn Abbey
Encyclopedia
Lynn Abbey is an American
computer programmer and author.
, Abbey was daughter of Ronald Lionel (an insurance manager) and Doris Lorraine (a homemaker; maiden name, De Wees). She attended the University of Rochester
, where she began as an astrophysics
major. She earned a A.B. (1969) and an M.A. (1971) in European history, but shifted to computer programming
as a profession "when my advisor pointed out that, given the natural rise and fall of demographic curves, tenured university faculty positions were going to be as scarce as hen's teeth for the next twenty-five years and my education was turning into an expensive hobby. (He was right, too.)" She had married Ralph Dressler July 14, 1969; they were divorced October 31, 1972. During this period she also became a member of science fiction fandom
.
involved in documenting the New York City bankruptcy crisis, she moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan
. In January 1977, she was injured in an automobile accident while going to pick up Gordon R. Dickson
, who was to be a Guest of Honor at that year's ConFusion
. The guilt-ridden Dickson volunteered to assist her by reading and critiqueing her work (she'd been writing since childhood). The manuscript he helped her with became Daughter of the Bright Moon.
shared world anthology
.
On August 28, 1982 she married Robert Asprin
, editor of the Thieves World books, and became his co-editor. She also contributed to other shared world series during the 1980s, including Heroes in Hell
and Merovingen Nights
.
She began writing for TSR around 1994 while continuing to write novels and editing anthologies. Her works for TSR include stories set in the Forgotten Realms
and the Dark Sun
setting. Lynn Abbey wrote for TSR's Dark Sun series starting with The Brazen Gambit. Further novels in the series include The Rise and Fall of a Dragon King, a novel exploring the topic of genocide, a central theme in the ancient history of Athas, the world on which the Dark Sun setting takes place. Along with Cinnabar Shadows, all three of Abbey's books written for the Athasian setting take place in and around the City-state of Urik.
Lynn Abbey's novels are characterized by believably ugly anti-heroes doing the best that they can in incredibly brutal environments.
. She continued to write novels during this period, including original works as well as tie-ins to role playing games for TSR
. In 2002, she returned to Thieves World with the novel Sanctuary and also began editing new anthologies, beginning with Turning Points. She has lived in Leesburg, Florida
since 1997.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
computer programmer and author.
Background
Born in Peekskill, New YorkPeekskill, New York
Peekskill is a city in Westchester County, New York. It is situated on a bay along the east side of the Hudson River, across from Jones Point.This community was known to be an early American industrial center, primarily for its iron plow and stove products...
, Abbey was daughter of Ronald Lionel (an insurance manager) and Doris Lorraine (a homemaker; maiden name, De Wees). She attended the University of Rochester
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
, where she began as an astrophysics
Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior...
major. She earned a A.B. (1969) and an M.A. (1971) in European history, but shifted to computer programming
Computer programming
Computer programming is the process of designing, writing, testing, debugging, and maintaining the source code of computer programs. This source code is written in one or more programming languages. The purpose of programming is to create a program that performs specific operations or exhibits a...
as a profession "when my advisor pointed out that, given the natural rise and fall of demographic curves, tenured university faculty positions were going to be as scarce as hen's teeth for the next twenty-five years and my education was turning into an expensive hobby. (He was right, too.)" She had married Ralph Dressler July 14, 1969; they were divorced October 31, 1972. During this period she also became a member of science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom or SF fandom is a community or "fandom" of people actively interested in science fiction and fantasy and in contact with one another based upon that interest...
.
Move to Michigan; accident and aftermath
In 1976, after a stint as a programmer for insurance companies, and work on the state task forceTask force
A task force is a unit or formation established to work on a single defined task or activity. Originally introduced by the United States Navy, the term has now caught on for general usage and is a standard part of NATO terminology...
involved in documenting the New York City bankruptcy crisis, she moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
. In January 1977, she was injured in an automobile accident while going to pick up Gordon R. Dickson
Gordon R. Dickson
Gordon Rupert Dickson was an American science fiction author.- Biography :Dickson was born in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1923. After the death of his father, he moved with his mother to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1937...
, who was to be a Guest of Honor at that year's ConFusion
ConFusion
ConFusion is an annual science fiction convention organized by the Stilyagi Air Corps and its parent organization, the Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association. Commonly, it is held the third weekend of January. It is the oldest science fiction convention in Michigan, a regional, general SF con...
. The guilt-ridden Dickson volunteered to assist her by reading and critiqueing her work (she'd been writing since childhood). The manuscript he helped her with became Daughter of the Bright Moon.
Publication and marriage
Abbey began publishing in 1979 with Daughter of the Bright Moon and the short story "The Face of Chaos," part of a Thieves WorldThieves World
Thieves' World is a shared world fantasy series created by Robert Lynn Asprin in 1978. The original series comprised twelve anthologies, including stories by such science fiction authors as Poul Anderson, John Brunner, Andrew J. Offutt, C. J. Cherryh, Janet Morris, Chris Morris...
shared world anthology
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
.
On August 28, 1982 she married Robert Asprin
Robert Asprin
Robert Lynn Asprin was an American science fiction and fantasy author and active fan, best known for his humorous MythAdventures and Phule's Company series.- Background :...
, editor of the Thieves World books, and became his co-editor. She also contributed to other shared world series during the 1980s, including Heroes in Hell
Heroes in Hell
Heroes in Hell is a series of shared world fantasy books, within the genre Bangsian fantasy, created and edited by Janet Morris and written by her, Chris Morris, C. J. Cherryh and others...
and Merovingen Nights
Merovingen Nights
Merovingen Nights is a series of shared world science fiction books set in writer C. J. Cherryh's Alliance-Union universe. There are eight books in the series, a novel by Cherryh, Angel With the Sword, and seven short fiction anthologies which Cherryh edited...
.
She began writing for TSR around 1994 while continuing to write novels and editing anthologies. Her works for TSR include stories set in the Forgotten Realms
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
and the Dark Sun
Dark Sun
Dark Sun is a Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting featuring the fictional desert world of Athas. The original Dark Sun Boxed Set campaign setting was released in 1991....
setting. Lynn Abbey wrote for TSR's Dark Sun series starting with The Brazen Gambit. Further novels in the series include The Rise and Fall of a Dragon King, a novel exploring the topic of genocide, a central theme in the ancient history of Athas, the world on which the Dark Sun setting takes place. Along with Cinnabar Shadows, all three of Abbey's books written for the Athasian setting take place in and around the City-state of Urik.
Lynn Abbey's novels are characterized by believably ugly anti-heroes doing the best that they can in incredibly brutal environments.
Divorce and moves
Abbey and Asprin divorced in 1993 and Abbey moved to Oklahoma CityOklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
. She continued to write novels during this period, including original works as well as tie-ins to role playing games for TSR
TSR, Inc.
Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
. In 2002, she returned to Thieves World with the novel Sanctuary and also began editing new anthologies, beginning with Turning Points. She has lived in Leesburg, Florida
Leesburg, Florida
Leesburg is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 15,956 at the 2000 census. As of 2005, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 19,086.. Leesburg is located in central Florida, between Lake Harris and Lake Griffin, at the head of the Oklawaha River system....
since 1997.