Ursula Vernon

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Ursula Vernon
Ursula Vernon Worldcon 75 (cropped).jpg
Vernon in 2017
BornUrsula Vernon
(1977-05-28) May 28, 1977 (age 48)
Japan [1]
NationalityAmerican
Area(s)Writer, artist, webcomics creator
Pseudonym(s)T. Kingfisher
Notable works
Digger , Dragonbreath series, Nettle & Bone
AwardsUrsa Major Award, Hugo Award, Nebula Award, Mythopoeic Award, WSFA Small Press Award, Locus Award

Ursula Vernon (born May 28, 1977) is an American freelance writer, artist and illustrator. She has won numerous awards for her work in various mediums, including Hugo Awards for her graphic novel Digger , fantasy novel Nettle & Bone , and fantasy novella Thornhedge , the Nebula Award for her short story "Jackalope Wives", and Mythopoeic Awards for adult and children's literature. Vernon's books for children include Hamster Princess and Dragonbreath. Under the name T. Kingfisher, she is also the author of books for older audiences. She writes short fiction under both names.

Contents

Career

Ursula Vernon grew up in Oregon and Arizona. She studied anthropology at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where she first took art classes. [2] She first became known for her webcomics and as a freelance artist, particularly for her works containing anthropomorphic animals. She then moved into writing and illustrating a number of children's books, her first being published in 2008, and then books for adults under the pseudonym T. Kingfisher. [3] [4] She decided to start using the pseudonym in order to avoid confusion amongst parents who were only familiar with her as a children's book author, [5] and chose it because she loves kingfishers (and as an homage to Ursula K. LeGuin, who once joked that the initials "U.K." could stand for "Ulysses Kingfisher"). [6] Vernon has published short fiction under both names, and has won a number of awards for them including the Hugo Award and Nebula Award.

She regularly attends conventions to exhibit and sell her work. She has been a guest of honor at Midwest FurFest 2004 and 2009, and the Artist Guest of Honor at Further Confusion 2010. Vernon was the Author Guest of Honor for Mythcon 45 [7] and a Guest of Honor at Eurofurence 20, both in August 2014. In 2017, she was the Author Guest of Honor at Arisia '17.

Vernon podcasts with her husband, Kevin Sonney. [8]

In June 2023, Vernon announced she had been diagnosed with breast cancer; [9] however, by December of that year, she announced that her treatment had been successful and she was "cancer-free". [10]

Works

Books for younger audiences

Vernon is the author and illustrator of the Dragonbreath and Hamster Princess children's book series, published by Dial Books:

Dragonbreath series

  • Dragonbreath. (2009). ISBN   9780803733633
  • Dragonbreath: Attack of the Ninja Frogs. (2010). ISBN   9780803733657
  • Dragonbreath: Curse of the Were-Weiner. (2010). ISBN   9780803734692
  • Dragonbreath: Lair of the Bat Monster. (2011). ISBN   9780803735255
  • Dragonbreath: No Such Thing as Ghosts. (2011). ISBN   9780803735279
  • Dragonbreath: Revenge of the Horned Bunnies. (2012). ISBN   9780803736771
  • Dragonbreath: When Fairies Go Bad. (2012). ISBN   9780803736788
  • Dragonbreath: Nightmare of the Iguana. (2013). ISBN   9780803738461
  • Dragonbreath: The Case of the Toxic Mutants. (2013). ISBN   9780803738478
  • Dragonbreath: Knight-napped!. (2015). ISBN   9780803738492
  • Dragonbreath: The Frozen Menace. (2016). ISBN   9780803739864

Hamster Princess series

Other children's books

Books for older audiences

Written as Ursula Vernon:

Temple of the White Rat books

The following books were written under the name T. Kingfisher and take place in what Vernon calls "the Temple of the White Rat world." [11] [12]

  • Clockwork Boys. Clocktaur War #1. (November 21, 2017). Red Wombat Tea Company. ISBN   9781614504061
  • The Wonder Engine. Clocktaur War #2. (February 27, 2018). Red Wombat Tea Company ISBN   9781614504177
  • Swordheart . (November 27, 2018). Argyll Productions. ISBN   9781614504634
  • Paladin's Grace. The Saint of Steel #1. (February 11, 2020) Red Wombat Studio. ISBN   9781614505211
  • Paladin's Strength. The Saint of Steel #2. (February 28, 2021). Red Wombat Studio. ISBN   9781614505303
  • Paladin's Hope. The Saint of Steel #3. (October 9, 2021). Red Wombat Studio. ISBN   9781614505518
  • Paladin's Faith. The Saint of Steel #4. (December 5, 2023). Red Wombat Studio. ISBN   9781614506096

The Sworn Soldier books

Under the pen name T. Kingfisher:

Other books for older audiences

Under the pen name T. Kingfisher:

Webcomics

Vernon is the author of the Eisner Award-nominated and Hugo Award-winning webcomic Digger . [13] A fantasy story featuring an anthropomorphic wombat, [2] [14] it is also available in six paperback books published between 2005 and 2011: Vol. 1 ( ISBN   9780976921226), Vol. 2 ( ISBN   0-9769212-6-X), Vol. 3 ( ISBN   9780979149634), Vol. 4 ( ISBN   9780981988337), Vol. 5 ( ISBN   9780981988399), and Vol. 6 ( ISBN   9781936689064), and as Digger: The Complete Omnibus Edition ( ISBN   9781936689323), published in 2013. She is also the writer and illustrator of the webcomic Irrational Fears and the short stories "Little Creature" and "Little Creature and the Redcap".

Illustrations and art

Before becoming a published children's book author Vernon was primarily a freelance artist and illustrator, and she still regularly produces new works of art. Her work includes the creation of digital art as well as the use of more traditional mediums such as watercolour and acrylics, with much of her more recent work being mixed media. Most of her art work is available as prints. Vernon has also taken commercial commissions such as book covers and game art.

The game Black Sheep designed by Reiner Knizia and published by Fantasy Flight Games uses art by Vernon on its playing cards. [15]

Her artwork titled The Biting Pear of Salamanca became an internet meme in the form of the "LOL WUT pear" [16] and has been made into a resin figurine due to its popularity. [17] She has also designed labels for a series of tea and soap products. [18] [19]

Awards and nominations

Awards and honors
YearWorkAwardCategoryResultRef.
2012 Digger Hugo Award Graphic Story Won [20]
2013 Mythopoeic Award Adult LiteratureWon [21]
2014"Jackalope Wives" Nebula Award Short Story Won [22]
2015 World Fantasy Award Short Fiction Finalist [23]
WSFA Small Press Award Won [24]
2016Castle Hangnail Mythopoeic Award Children's LiteratureWon [25]
"Pocosin" Eugie Award Finalist [26]
2017"The Tomato Thief" Hugo Award Novelette Won [27]
WSFA Small Press Award Won [28]
2018Summer in Orcus Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book Finalist [29]
"Sun, Moon, Dust" Hugo Award Short Story Finalist [29]
2019“The Rose MacGregor Drinking and Admiration Society” Hugo Award Short Story Finalist [30]
2020"Fisher-Bird" Locus Award Short Story Finalist [31]
Minor Mage Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book Finalist [32]
The Twisted Ones British Fantasy Award Horror NovelFinalist [33]
Dragon Award Horror NovelWon [34]
Locus Award Horror Novel Finalist [31]
RUSA Reading List HorrorWon [35]
A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking Andre Norton Award Won [36]
2021The Hollow Places British Fantasy Award Horror NovelFinalist [37]
Dragon Award Horror NovelWon [38]
Locus Award Horror Novel Finalist [39]
RUSA Reading List HorrorShortlisted [35]
"Metal Like Blood in the Dark" Hugo Award Short Story Won [40]
WSFA Small Press Award Won [41]
A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking Dragon Award Young Adult / Middle Grade NovelWon [38]
Locus Award Young Adult Book Won [39]
Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book Won [40]
Mythopoeic Award Children's LiteratureWon [42]
2022Illuminations BSFA Award Book for Younger ReadersFinalist [43]
Nettle & Bone Dragon Award Fantasy NovelFinalist [44]
Nebula Award Novel Finalist [45]
Paladin's Strength Locus Award Fantasy Novel Finalist [46]
What Moves the Dead Goodreads Choice Awards HorrorFinalist [47]
The World of the White Rat Hugo Award Series Finalist [48]
2023 A House with Good Bones Dragon Award Horror NovelWon [49]
Nettle & Bone Hugo Award Novel Won [50]
Locus Award Fantasy Novel Finalist [51]
RUSA Reading List FantasyWon [35]
Thornhedge Nebula Award Novella Finalist [52]
What Moves the Dead Hugo Award Novella Finalist [50]
Locus Award Horror Novel Won [51]
RUSA Reading List HorrorShortlisted [35]
2024A House with Good Bones British Fantasy Award Horror NovelFinalist [53]
Locus Award Horror Novel Won [54]
Paladin's Faith Locus Award Fantasy Novel Finalist [54]
A Sorceress Comes to Call Nebula Award Novel Finalist [55]
Thornhedge British Fantasy Award NovellaFinalist [53]
Hugo Award Novella Won [56]
Locus Award Novella Won [54]
RUSA Reading List FantasyShortlisted [35]
World Fantasy Award Novella Finalist [57]
What Feasts at Night Goodreads Choice Awards HorrorFinalist [58]
2025 A Sorceress Comes to Call Hugo Award Novel Finalist [59]
Locus Award Fantasy Novel Won [60]
RUSA Reading List FantasyShortlisted [35]
What Feasts at Night British Fantasy Award NovellaPending [61]
Hugo Award Novella Finalist [59]
Locus Award Novella Won [60]

Vernon has also received the following accolades:

See also

References

  1. locusmag (April 12, 2021). "Ursula Vernon: Shiny New Idea". Locus Online. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  2. 1 2 Vernon, Ursula; Patrick Keith (September 2004). "Interview with Ursula Vernon". www.epilogue.net. Retrieved March 6, 2011. Digger, ... is a fantasy about a wombat
  3. "T. Kingfisher". Goodreads . Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  4. Books for Adults, by Ursula Vernon, at RedWombatStudio.com; retrieved October 20, 2020
  5. "Interview with Ursula Vernon". Apex Magazine . January 6, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  6. "Q&A: T.Kingfisher". www.thenerddaily.com. October 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  7. "Mythcon 45 – August 2014 – Mythopoeic Society". Mythopoeic Society . Archived from the original on April 6, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  8. "Other media". Red Wombat Studio. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  9. "Pixel Scroll 6/17/23 Whoever Lives in Glass Pixels Should Not Throw Scrolls". June 18, 2023.
  10. "Pixel Scroll 12/30/23 Always Cool To See A Reference To Big Pixel And The Scrolling Company". December 29, 2023.
  11. Vernon, Ursula [@UrsulaV] (February 11, 2020). "You do not have to read the other books in the Temple of the White Rat world, this is a fine entry point! But if you like it, we have three other books that you may enjoy afterward in the same universe!" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  12. Vernon, Ursula [@UrsulaV] (February 11, 2020). "Oh no obtuseness! No worries! Clockwork Boys & The Wonder Engine are a duology in the same universe. Swordheart stands alone but will eventually be a trilogy" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  13. Cruz, Larry (July 16, 2010). "The Webcomic Overlook #127: Digger" . Retrieved February 17, 2011. best known for Digger
  14. Boxer, Sarah (August 17, 2005). "CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK; Comics Escape a Paper Box, and Electronic Questions Pop Out". The New York Times . Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  15. "Reiner Knizia's Black Sheep". Fantasy Flight Games. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  16. Ursula Vernon (February 27, 2006). "The Biting Pear of Salamanca" . Retrieved March 30, 2009.
  17. "Biting Pear (AKA LOL WUT PEAR)". www.patchtogether.com. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016.
  18. Vernon, Ursula (June 5, 2008). "Tea! Tea! Tea!". Red Wombat Studio. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  19. Vernon, Ursula (July 12, 2007). "Red Wombat Studio". Red Wombat Studio. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
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  30. "2019 Hugo and Campbell Awards Winners". Locus. August 18, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
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  34. Andrew Liptak (September 6, 2020). "Announcing the 2020 Dragon Awards Winners!". Reactor . Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  35. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The Reading List". RUSA Update. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  36. "2020 Nebula Awards Winners". Locus. June 5, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  37. Andrew Liptak (September 27, 2021). "Here Are the Winners of the 2021 British Fantasy Awards!". Reactor . Retrieved July 13, 2025.
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  51. 1 2 "2023 Locus Awards Winners". Locus. June 24, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
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  54. 1 2 3 "2024 Locus Awards Winners". Locus. June 22, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
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  57. "2024 World Fantasy Awards Winners". Locus. October 20, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  58. "Readers' Favorite Horror 2024". Goodreads. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  59. 1 2 "2025 Hugo, Lodestar, and Astounding Awards Winners". Locus. August 16, 2025. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  60. 1 2 "2025 Locus Awards Winners". Locus. June 21, 2025. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  61. "2025 British Fantasy Awards Shortlist". Locus. June 24, 2025. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  62. "Master Nominee List 2006 Eisner Awards". San Diego Comic-Con International . Archived from the original on June 14, 2006. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  63. "2005 Results". Web Cartoonists' Choice Awards. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  64. "2007 Results". Web Cartoonists' Choice Awards. Archived from the original on February 4, 2010. Retrieved April 20, 2010.

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