ROBERT J. SAWYER. From an early age it appeared that Robert J. Sawyer was destined to become a science fiction writer. His scientific imagination was sparked by one of his earliest friends, a magical hook, that had dropped down from outer space and followed him wherever he went.

Born April 29, 1960, Sawyer's vivid childhood imagination was coupled with an appreciation of books. His father, an economics professor, would read to him both works of fiction and non-fiction every night. As Sawyer explains "from quite early on, I was aware that books were where you got stories, but also where you could find information."

In high school, Robert was president of the student council and editor of the school newspaper. However, he describes the single most important event of his life as the founding of a science fiction club, where he could share his interests in the genre with others.

Robert's novels deal with various themes such as computers running amok, dinosaurs reliving the Age of Enlightenment, time-traveling paleontologists, and space-age detectives. Always highlighting the conflict between science and superstition, Sawyer has a preference for scientific knowledge and its ability to illuminate truth in the world. His recent novel are set in the present day, or the very near future, and deal with the impact of technological change on family life and society at large. His works of science fiction include: Golden Fleece (1990), Far-Seer (1992), Fossil Hunter (1993), Foreigner (1994), End of an Era (1994, Sejun Award Winner), The Terminal Experiment (1995, Nebula Award Winner), Starplex (1996), Illegal Alien (1997),Frameshift (1997), Factoring Humanity (1998), and his June 1999 released novel Flashforward.

Robert's awards include: Best Science Fiction Novel of the Year 1991, Best Book for the Teen Age 1992, the Homer Award 1992 and 1993, the Sejun Award in 1994, the Nebula Award in 1995 and countless nominations for these and other awards. He holds a B.A. from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, is the former President of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and currently resides in Thornhill, Ontario. You can find out more about Robert J. Sawyer at his own home page.