The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) has announced that The Last Unicorn author Peter S. Beagle will be honored as the 34th Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master for his lifetime contributions to the literature of science fiction and fantasy. Beagle joins such luminaries as Ray Bradbury, Anne McCaffrey, Ursula K. Le Guin, Isaac Asimov, Joe Haldeman, C.J. Cherryh, and previous Grand Master Jane Yolen.
Beagle’s body of work explores readers’ fascination with mythological creatures and lore, from different takes on unicorns in both The Last Unicorn and his most recent novel In Calabria, to short fiction collections like The Overneath (which features the Tor.com Original “The Story of Kao Yu“). He won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards for his 2005 novelette “Two Hearts”; his adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings for the 1978 animated film was also Hugo nominated.
SFWA president Cat Rambo praised Beagle, saying, “Peter Beagle’s work has been the gateway for multitudes of fantasy readers, but also writers as well, including myself. His work shines a light on the human heart and its beauties even when that heart is flawed and wanting, showing how that beauty arises from such imperfect conditions. Beagle unquestionably belongs among the greats, and I count it a privilege to invite him to be the next SFWA Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master.”
The award will be presented at the 52nd Annual Nebula Conference and Awards Ceremony in Pittsburgh, PA, May 17-20, 2018. You can read more about the award on SFWA’s site.
