Picture a New Jersey-born storyteller who weaves magic through wine and urban grit—meet Laura Anne Gilman! A master of speculative fiction, Gilman has crafted over twenty novels, blending urban fantasy and epic tales with a unique flair. From her Nebula-nominated Vineart War trilogy to her gritty Cosa Nostradamus series, she’s a genre-shaping force who started as a publishing insider before becoming a celebrated author.
With a knack for creating immersive worlds and unforgettable characters, Gilman’s work resonates with readers who crave fresh takes on magic and adventure. Her journey from editorial desks to bestselling bookshelves is as captivating as her stories, making her a must-know name in fantasy and science fiction.
The Making of Laura Anne Gilman
Born in 1967 in suburban New Jersey, Laura Anne Gilman grew up with a love for stories that led her to Skidmore College, where she earned a liberal arts degree and joined the Phi Alpha Theta honors society. Drawn to the buzz of New York City, she kicked off her career as an editorial assistant, climbing the ranks to become an executive editor at Penguin’s New American Library. For fifteen years, she shaped books behind the scenes, but her heart was set on telling her own tales. In 2004, she took a bold leap, leaving her editorial role to write full-time as a freelancer, a move that unleashed her creative spark.
Laura Anne Gilman’s Unforgettable Stories
Gilman’s bibliography is a treasure trove of speculative fiction, with her Vineart War trilogy standing out as a bold departure from her urban fantasy roots. The series, starting with Flesh and Fire (2009), introduces a world where magic flows through spellwines crafted by solitary Vinearts. Nominated for a 2009 Nebula Award, Flesh and Fire follows Jerzy, a former slave turned apprentice, navigating a vineyard-plaguing crisis. Critics praised its unique magic system, with Publishers Weekly calling it “wholly new” and “extraordinary.”
In her Cosa Nostradamus series, including the Retrievers (starting with Staying Dead, 2004) and Paranormal Scene Investigations (Hard Magic, 2010), Gilman dives into urban fantasy with a modern, magical underworld. These books blend gritty action with supernatural intrigue, earning her a loyal fanbase. Her Devil’s West trilogy, beginning with Silver on the Road, reimagines the American West as a mythic frontier, winning the Endeavor Award for The Cold Eye. Gilman’s style—vivid, character-driven, and richly atmospheric—brings her worlds to life, whether she’s exploring magical vineyards or bustling cityscapes.
Beyond novels, Gilman shines in short fiction, with stories in Amazing Stories and anthologies like Urban Nightmares. Writing mysteries as L.A. Kornetsky, she showcases her versatility, while her upcoming Uncanny Times (2022) promises a Gilded Age fantasy twist. Her ability to craft distinct, immersive settings makes every story a fresh adventure.
Why Laura Anne Gilman Matters
Laura Anne Gilman’s impact on speculative fiction lies in her fearless innovation. Her wine-based magic in the Vineart War trilogy redefined fantasy’s possibilities, while her Cosa Nostradamus series helped shape the urban fantasy boom. NPR hailed her Devil’s West as “a true American myth,” a testament to her ability to weave cultural depth into genre fiction. As a member of Book View Cafe and Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, she’s also a community builder, mentoring writers and championing diverse voices.
Gilman’s legacy is her knack for making the fantastical feel real, whether through a Vineart’s devotion to their craft or a magical detective’s city struggles. Her stories invite readers to see the world anew, blending wonder with human grit. For fans and newcomers alike, her work is a gateway to speculative fiction’s boundless potential.
- Born: 1967, New Jersey
- Key Works: Vineart War trilogy, Cosa Nostradamus series, Devil’s West trilogy
- Awards: Nebula Award nominee (2009), Endeavor Award winner (The Cold Eye)
- Fun Fact: She writes mysteries under the pseudonym L.A. Kornetsky!
Snag Flesh and Fire or Staying Dead and dive into Laura Anne Gilman’s spellbinding worlds of magic and mystery!