Lynn Abbey
Lynn Abbey | |
|---|---|
| Born | Marilyn Lorraine Abbey September 18, 1948 Peekskill, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Writer, editor |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Known for | Fantasy literature, Thieves' World series, Forgotten Realms, Dark Sun novels |
Marilyn Lorraine "Lynn" Abbey (born September 18, 1948) is a writer from the United States specializing in fantasy literature.
Background
Abbey was born in Peekskill, New York and pursued her education at the University of Rochester. She began her studies focusing on astrophysics but later obtained both an A.B. degree in 1969 and an M.A. in 1971, concentrating on European history. Due to limited opportunities for an academic career, she transitioned into computer programming. In 1969, she married Ralph Dressler; their marriage ended in divorce in 1972. During this period, she became actively involved in the science fiction fandom community.
Move to Michigan; accident and aftermath
After working as a programmer for insurance firms and participating in the New York state task force addressing the New York City bankruptcy crisis, Abbey moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1976. In January 1977, she was involved in a car accident while on her way to collect author Gordon R. Dickson. Following the incident, Dickson assisted her by providing feedback on her writing, a partnership that eventually resulted in her first novel, Daughter of the Bright Moon.
Publication and marriage
Abbey's first published works appeared in 1979 with the novel Daughter of the Bright Moon and the short story "The Face of Chaos" featured in the collaborative anthology Thieves' World. On August 28, 1982, she wed Robert Asprin, who was the editor of the Thieves' World series; she then joined him as co-editor. Throughout the 1980s, Abbey contributed to additional shared universe series such as Heroes in Hell and Merovingen Nights.
Beginning around 1994, Abbey authored novels for TSR, Inc., set within the Forgotten Realms and Dark Sun universes. Her Dark Sun titles include The Brazen Gambit, The Rise and Fall of a Dragon King, which explores genocide—a significant element in Athas's lore—and Cinnabar Shadows. All three books are situated around Urik, a city-state within the Dark Sun setting.
Divorce and moves
Following her divorce from Asprin in 1993, Abbey relocated to Oklahoma City. She maintained her writing career by producing both original novels and licensed works for TSR. In 2002, she revived the Thieves' World franchise with the novel Sanctuary and took on editorial duties for anthologies including Turning Points. By 2006, Abbey contributed as an author to Green Ronin's iteration of Thieves' World. Since 1997, she has lived in Leesburg, Florida.
External links
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- 1948 births
- 20th-century American novelists
- 20th-century American women novelists
- 21st-century American novelists
- 21st-century American women novelists
- American book editors
- American fantasy writers
- American science fiction writers
- American speculative fiction editors
- American women editors
- American women science fiction and fantasy writers
- Living people
- People from Leesburg, Florida
- People from Peekskill, New York
- University of Rochester alumni
- Women print editors