Phyllis Gotlieb, an author dubbed the “mother of Canadian Science Fiction,” has died.
Among other works, Gotlieb was the author of the novels “O Master Caliban!” and “Emperor, Sword, Pentacles,” as well as the poetry collection “Within the Zodiac.” In addition, the annual Sunburst Award for Canadian Literature of the Fantastic was named after her first science fiction novel.
Here’s a tribute from novelist Cory Doctorow: “I first met Phyllis at Ad Astra, the Toronto area science fiction convention. She and I were co-panelists on the very first panel I ever sat on. I was 17 and I’d just sold my first story. Phyllis was well into her senior years. She was delightful. I don’t remember what the subject of the panel was, but I remember the warmth and wit with which Phyllis engaged with little pipsqueak me, the welcome she made me feel as a freshman writer.” (Image via)