Award-winning science fiction legend Howard Waldrop passed away at the age of 77, according to friends and family of the author. The wordsmith was renowned for his mastery of short fiction and will be remembered for a number of classic tales readers continue to enjoy today.
Waldrop, a lifelong pillar of the speculative fiction community, wrote countless stories throughout his distinguished career. The author would win the 1980 Nebula Award for Best Novellete and the 1981 World Fantasy Award for Short Fiction, receiving both awards for “Ugly Chickens.” Recently, his 1987 short story “Night of the Cooters” was adapted into a movie directed by Vincent D’Onofrio. In addition to numerous short story collections, Waldrop penned the novels “Them Bones” and “A Dozen Tough Jobs”.
According to a blogpost by fellow author Lawrence Person, Waldrop died on Jan. 14 following a stroke. A wide swathe of luminaries from the science fiction community have expressed their condolences after Waldrop’s passing including longtime friend and collaborator George R.R. Martin, celebrated novelist of the “A Song of Ice and Fire” series.
Professor Tim Waggoner said in a statement shared with The Clarion, “I didn’t know him personally but his work was hugely influential and his passing is a loss to the Science Fiction Writing community.”
Ismael David Mujahid, Executive Editor
(Featured Image by Lume Books)