Photo by Dick Jude

Locus Magazine reports the passing of horror, science fiction, and mystery author Sheri S. Tepper. A prolific voice whose works were often known for themes of feminism and ecology, Tepper published dozens of novels, short works, and essays, some of them under pseudonyms. She won the World Fantasy Life Achievement Award in 2015, and many of her novels were shortlisted for various awards, including the Hugo, Tiptree, and Clarke Awards. As a single mother of two during the 1960s, Tepper began by writing poetry and children’s stories before remarrying in the late 60s. She worked at Planned Parenthood for 24 years–eventually as Executive Director at the Rocky Mountain Colorado branch–before leaving to write full-time, later running a guest ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is known for her True Game Series, as well as the Arbai Trilogy, and standalone novels such as Beauty, The Fresco, The Gate to Women’s Country, and Gibbon’s Decline & Fall.

In an interview with Locus Magazine back in September, 1998, Tepper had a few words about the universe and the passage of time that seem truly fitting:

“What do I have to say to the universe? A soul ought to have something to say to the universe if it’s going to be immortal. But the world has something to say to the universe, all of these systems have things to say to the universe, and we’re part of that. You go in the ground, and the grass grows over your bones, and that’s good too! I take a lot more comfort out of that than I would out of some notion of the feathery form rising up, strumming a harp. Harp music can get dreadfully dull!”

Tepper passed away on October 22, 2016. She was 87 years old. Our thoughts are with her family and friends, and everyone who was touched by her work–she will be dearly missed.