Chuck Tingle took an unlikely route to heroism. He had built a small but devoted following for his self-published erotic e-books when he was nominated in the spring for a Hugo Award, one of the highest honors in science fiction and fantasy writing.

The nomination was a prank, part of a campaign led by a racist writer who wants the Hugos to stop honoring works that address issues of race and gender, as they have done in recent years. Instead of playing along, Mr. Tingle, a pseudonym, mocked his nominators, championed several female writers and solicited donations for an anti-harassment charity.

Mr. Tingle didn’t attend the Hugo ceremony. The author, who says he lives in Billings, Mont., with his son, Jon, does not make public appearances or give in-person interviews. Last December, Jon said in a Reddit A.M.A. (“Ask Me Anything”) that his father has autism and schizophrenia.