The Mysterious Q&A with Lisa Tuttle
The obligatory intro…
Lisa Tuttle defies categorization. At 50, this Texas native, Scotland transplant who earned her BA in English Literature from Syracuse University continues to write ground-breaking fiction. Her publishing career began early, taking flight when her first story, “Stranger in the House” appeared in 1972’s Clarion II anthology edited by Robin Wilson. She won the John W. Campbell Award in 1974 for Best New Writer and collaborated with George R.R. Martin on “The Storms of Windhaven” in 1975 which won a Hugo Award and led to their novel, Windhaven in 1981. Solo adult novels include: Familiar Spirit, 1983; Angela’s Rainbow, 1983; Gabriel, 1987; Lost Futures (shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award and the Tiptree Award), 1993; and The Pillow Friend, 1996.
Tuttle’s juvenile literature includes Catwitch, a collaboration with illustrator Una Woodruff a playful children’s fantasy book which adults can enjoy and some solo YA titles that have only been published in the UK:
- Panther in Argyll (a dark fantasy for ages 10 and up)
- Snake Inside (YA thriller/psychological suspense)
- Mad House (light-hearted SF for younger readers, age approx 7 to 9)
- Love-on-Line (YA romantic mystery set in cyberspace virtual reality and an American high school)
She also contributed to The Dolphin Diaries YA series which is published under the house name, Lucy Daniels (UK) and under Ben M. Baglio in the US by Scholastic.
Her nonfiction includes Encyclopedia of Feminism, (1986) and Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction, 2002.
Short story collections include: A Nest of Nightmares, 1986; A Spaceship Built of Stone and Other Stories, 1987; Memories of the Body, 1992, Ghosts and Other Lovers, 2001, and My Pathology (e-book ; 2001). Her award-winning short stories often feature strong-willed women (much like Tuttle herself) questioning their lives, identities and gender issues with a probing, insightful reverence.
David Barrett, City Limits (UK) once said of Tuttle’s stories, “Her stories are emotionally uncomfortable… they’re powerful, they’re brilliant, they hurt… and they’re very special. They not only make you think, they make you feel…”
As an editor, Tuttle also showcases her humor, intelligence and eye for talent. Skin of the Soul: New Horror Stories by Women, appeared from the Women’s Press of Great Britain in 1990 and was subsequently published in other countries. Crossing the Border, 1998, an anthology published in the UK examined erotic genderbending with exuberant flair.
Tuttle lives a seemingly quiet life in a scenic village in Scotland with her husband Colin Murray and their daughter, Emily. She’s just finished a new novel and is already hard at work on a new one. She has taught at Clarion West and at the Citylit College, part of London University. While living in Austin, Texas, she helped originate the Turkey City Workshops where participants such as Chad Oliver (the defacto Dean of TC), Howard Waldrop, Bruce Sterling, Lewis Shiner, Steven Utley, George R.R. Martin, Leigh Kennedy, myself and others honed their skills as storytellers.
When she left to live in England after meeting and later marrying Christopher Priest, Austin was never the same. Eventually, many TCW participants scattered across the globe but the influence of those workshops is still being felt. After her marriage to Priest ended in 1985, Tuttle remained overseas, met and married editor Murray.
