Jendia Gammon

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Jendia Gammon
JendiaGammon.jpg
Jendia Gammon at an event in San Diego in 2024
BornJennifer Dianne Gammon
1974
Kingsport, Tennessee, US
Pen name
  • J. Dianne Dotson
  • Jendia Gammon
OccupationAuthor

Jennifer Dianne "Jendia" Gammon (born 1974), also known by her pen name J. Dianne Dotson, is an American author of science fiction. [1] Her works include The Shadow Galaxy and The Inn at the Amethyst Lantern.

Contents

Early life

Jendia Gammon was born Jennifer Dianne Gammon in Kingsport, Tennessee. She spent much of her childhood in Gray, Tennessee. There, she wrote from an early age, illustrating her own stories, and was influenced by the works of Ray Bradbury and L. Frank Baum. [2] At the age of 10, she formed her own astronomy club with her friends, 'to learn about the universe.' [3]

Gammon graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology [4] and worked for several years as a research technologist in academic laboratories. She later worked as a freelance science writer, content marketing writer for biotech, and senior content manager. She has stated that this scientific background aided her understanding of writing science fiction. [5]

Career

Gammon self-published her space opera series The Questrison Saga under the pen name J. Dianne Dotson. The series consists of: Heliopause (2018), Ephemeris (2019), Accretion (2020), and Luminiferous (2021). [6] In 2023, she published The Shadow Galaxy: A Collection of Short Stories and Poetry under JournalStone and Trepidatio publishing. [7] It was longlisted for the BSFA Awards. [8] Alan K. Dell praised the Questrison Saga as "a fantastic read", [9] and The Fantasy Hive described The Shadow Galaxy as "a mesmerizing first collection". [10]

Also in 2023, her YA novel, The Inn at the Amethyst Lantern, was published by Android Press. The Storygraph described The Inn at the Amethyst Lantern as: "a captivating read". [11] This novel was a finalist for the Andre Norton Nebula Award [12] and the BSFA Award for Best Fiction for Younger Readers. [13]

She has also written short stories as both J. Dianne Dotson and Jendia Gammon. [14] [15] In 2023, she adopted the "old nickname" Jendia Gammon for all books going forward to honor her family. [16]

Personal life

Jendia Gammon is married to British sci-fi author Gareth L. Powell, and lives in Los Angeles, California, with her family. [16] [17]

Bibliography

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References

  1. "Home – J. Dianne Dotson". jdiannedotson.com. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  2. Duncan, Robin CM (3 March 2023). "The Big Idea: J. Dianne Dotson". Whatever. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  3. "J. Dianne Dotson". Worlds Without End. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  4. jroberts@johnsoncitypress.com, By Jonathan Roberts PRESS STAFF WRITER (30 August 2020). "Kingsport native looking to start Appalachian writers club, inspire interest in STEM fields". Johnson City Press. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  5. Lovy, Howard (2 June 2019). "Inspirational Indie Authors: Scientist J. Dianne Dotson on Writing Science Fiction". The Self-Publishing Advice Center. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  6. Stories, Local (24 June 2021). "Meet J. Dianne Dotson – Voyage LA Magazine | LA City Guide". voyagela.com. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  7. Hive, The Fantasy (2 January 2023). "MOST ANTICIPATED SFF BOOKS 2023". Fantasy-Hive. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  8. "Frivolous Comma Podcast | J. Dianne Dotson: Tackling Structure, Psychological Horror, & Appalachian Wonder". Frivolous Comma Podcast. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  9. "Book Review: Heliopause". Alan K. Dell. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  10. Hive, The Fantasy (2 January 2023). "MOST ANTICIPATED SFF BOOKS 2023". Fantasy-Hive. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  11. "The Inn at the Amethyst Lantern by J. Dianne Dotson". app.thestorygraph.com. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  12. "Nebula Awards 2024 Finalists Highlights at The American Book Center". The American Book Center. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  13. locusmag (5 March 2024). "2023 BSFA Shortlist". Locus Online. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  14. Literary, Janus (30 August 2022). "Night on Preston's Bald". Janus Literary. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  15. "Books – Jendia Gammon". 31 August 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  16. 1 2 Beddor, Frank (11 October 2023). "All Things Alice: Interview with Jendia Gammon". Frank Beddor. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  17. locusmag (15 December 2022). "People & Publishing Roundup, December 2022". Locus Online. Retrieved 1 May 2024.