David Weber, Author Guest of Honor

David Mark Weber is an American science fiction and fantasy author who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1952. He started writing poetry and short fiction in the fifth grade, and a lifetime of reading, writing, and studying — particularly of history — has given him a love of storytelling that clearly shows in his work. In his stories, he creates a consistent and rationally explained technology and society. Even when dealing with fantasy themes, the magical powers are treated like another technology with supporting rational laws and principles.

Many of his stories have military, and particularly naval, themes, and fit into the military science fiction genre. He challenges current gender roles in the military by assuming that a gender-neutral military service will exist in his futures. By frequently placing female leading characters in what have previously been seen as traditionally male roles, he has explored the challenges faced by women in the military and politics. His fantasy novels are also marked by strong female protagonists and supporting characters, who more often confront the straitjacket imposed by muscle-powered societies on the rights and prerogatives of women.

His most popular and enduring character by far has been Honor Harrington, whose story, together with the “Honorverse” she inhabits, has been developed through 26 solo and collaborative novels, including the Crown of Slaves series with Eric Flint; a young-adult series co-authored with Jane Lindskold; a newly launched “historical” series (set 300 years before Honor Harrington’s time) written with Timothy Zahn and Tom Pope, six multi-author anthologies; and the Honorverse Companion, written with BuNine, an organization composed of Honorverse fans who have become friends and collaborators.

In addition to the Honorverse, his series from Baen Books include the Multiverse novels, co-authored with Linda Evans and (upcoming) Joelle Presby; the Mutineers’ Moon series; the StarFire series (with Steve White); the War God series; and the Empire of Man series (with John Ringo). With Tor Books, he has released one stand-alone novel (Out of the Dark) and the Safehold series. His most recent release, The Sword of the South, is the fifth novel set in the War God universe and begins a new cycle in the ongoing war between Kontovar and Norfressa, and the eighth novel in the Safehold series (Hell’s Foundations Quiver) is scheduled for an October release.

In total, counting books currently in the production queue and/or scheduled for release, he has authored or co-authored a total of 62 novels and eight anthologies since 1990, not counting omnibus rereleases.

Weber lives in Greenville South Carolina with his wife, Sharon Rice-Weber, their three children (Megan, Morgan, and Michael Paul), three dogs, and three cats (who, in the ancient conspiracy of feline-kind actually rule the household). Between soccer league practices (with twin daughters who are not on the same team), middle school volleyball games, middle school soccer games, basketball practice and games, and baseball practice and games, he continues to steal time to write the occasional book. He says the publishers won’t pay him unless he does.
They’re funny that way.