Mark Budz
Encyclopedia
Mark Budz is an American
science fiction
writer. Budz was born on November 1, 1960 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey
into a family
that traveled prodigiously. In the late 1980s, Mark moved to Oregon
to become a full-time writer. Although he began by writing short stories
, Mark became interesting in science fiction and wrote a number of novels in this subject, such as Clade
and Crache.
, he moved around a lot because his father
worked for the National Park Service
, living in Arizona
, California
, and Colorado
. In 1982, Mark graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder
with a bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering
. After graduating, he worked at several different jobs, including sales at manufacturer’s representative for ITT Bell & Gossett, retail sales, publisher's reader
for a small press, and technical support
. Currently, Mark is a technical writer
for a software company near Silicon Valley
.
In the late 1980s, Mark moved to Eugene, Oregon
to attempt to become a full time writer, beginning with short stories
. Although becoming a short story writer did not work out, he decided to become a novel
writer
, which began with his first novel Clade
in 2003. In subsequent years, he published other novels such as Crache and Idolon.
In 1991, he met his future wife, Marina Fitch and in 1992, they moved to Watsonville, California
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
writer. Budz was born on November 1, 1960 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Cherry Hill is a township in Camden County, New Jersey, in the United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township had a population of 71,045, representing an increase of 1,080 from the 69,965 residents enumerated during the 2000 Census...
into a family
Family
In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children...
that traveled prodigiously. In the late 1980s, Mark moved to Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
to become a full-time writer. Although he began by writing short stories
Short Stories
Short Stories may refer to:*A plural for Short story*Short Stories , an American pulp magazine published from 1890-1959*Short Stories, a 1954 collection by O. E...
, Mark became interesting in science fiction and wrote a number of novels in this subject, such as Clade
Clade (novel)
Clade is a science fiction novel written by Mark Budz, published in 2003. In Clade, an environmental disaster called the Ecocaust has caused sea levels to rise and causing additional strains on human resources...
and Crache.
Personal life
After Mark Budz was born in New JerseyNew Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, he moved around a lot because his father
Father
A father, Pop, Dad, or Papa, is defined as a male parent of any type of offspring. The adjective "paternal" refers to father, parallel to "maternal" for mother...
worked for the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
, living in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, and Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. In 1982, Mark graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
with a bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering
Architectural engineering
Architectural engineering, also known as building engineering, is the application of engineering principles and technology to building design and construction...
. After graduating, he worked at several different jobs, including sales at manufacturer’s representative for ITT Bell & Gossett, retail sales, publisher's reader
Publisher's reader
A publisher's reader or first reader is a person paid by a publisher or book club to read manuscripts from the slush pile, and to advise their employers as to quality and marketability of the work. They can exercise considerable influence over the offerings of the publishers for whom they worked,...
for a small press, and technical support
Technical support
Technical support or tech support refers to a range of services by which enterprises provide assistance to users of technology products such as mobile phones, televisions, computers, software products or other electronic or mechanical goods...
. Currently, Mark is a technical writer
Technical writer
A technical writer is a professional writer who designs, creates, and maintains technical documentation...
for a software company near Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley is a term which refers to the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California in the United States. The region is home to many of the world's largest technology corporations...
.
In the late 1980s, Mark moved to Eugene, Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
to attempt to become a full time writer, beginning with short stories
Short Stories
Short Stories may refer to:*A plural for Short story*Short Stories , an American pulp magazine published from 1890-1959*Short Stories, a 1954 collection by O. E...
. Although becoming a short story writer did not work out, he decided to become a novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
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....
, which began with his first novel Clade
Clade (novel)
Clade is a science fiction novel written by Mark Budz, published in 2003. In Clade, an environmental disaster called the Ecocaust has caused sea levels to rise and causing additional strains on human resources...
in 2003. In subsequent years, he published other novels such as Crache and Idolon.
In 1991, he met his future wife, Marina Fitch and in 1992, they moved to Watsonville, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Novels
- CladeClade (novel)Clade is a science fiction novel written by Mark Budz, published in 2003. In Clade, an environmental disaster called the Ecocaust has caused sea levels to rise and causing additional strains on human resources...
(2003) - Crache (2004)
- Idolon (2006)
- Till Human Voices Wake Us (2007)
Awards
- Philip K. Dick Award nominee - In 2003, CladeCladeA clade is a group consisting of a species and all its descendants. In the terms of biological systematics, a clade is a single "branch" on the "tree of life". The idea that such a "natural group" of organisms should be grouped together and given a taxonomic name is central to biological...
was a nominee for the Philip K. Dick Award. - Andre Norton AwardAndre Norton AwardThe Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy, named to honor prolific science fiction and fantasy author Andre Norton , is a yearly juried award presented by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America to the author of an outstanding young adult science fiction or...
- In 2004, Mark Budz won the second annual Norton Award for his novel CladeCladeA clade is a group consisting of a species and all its descendants. In the terms of biological systematics, a clade is a single "branch" on the "tree of life". The idea that such a "natural group" of organisms should be grouped together and given a taxonomic name is central to biological...
.