John Scalzi

A coin flip determined the career path of John Scalzi, who decided that if the result favored science fiction over mystery, he would pursue writing in the former genre. Born in 1969 in Fairfield, California, he built a diverse career as a novelist, journalist, and film critic, ultimately becoming a prominent figure in American speculative fiction.

Formative Years and Education

Raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles, including Covina, Glendora, Azusa, and San Dimas, Scalzi grew up in poverty. He attended The Webb Schools in Claremont on a scholarship before enrolling at the University of Chicago. During his studies, he served as editor-in-chief of The Chicago Maroon in 1989 and 1990. Although he worked with thesis advisor Saul Bellow for a brief period, he eventually graduated in 1991 without completing a thesis.

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Professional Beginnings and Online Presence

Scalzi began professional writing in 1990 as a freelancer for the Chicago Sun-Times. After relocating to the Washington, D.C. area in 1996 for a role at AOL, he transitioned into full-time freelance writing in 1998. That same year, he launched his blog, Whatever, which became a central hub for his commentary, charity initiatives, and serializing his fiction. His contributions to the field of online writing were recognized in 2008 with the Hugo Award for Best Fan Writer.

Literary Contributions and Awards

His fiction often incorporates humor and military themes. He gained significant attention with his 2005 novel, Old Man's War, a military science fiction story about a man recruited into space colonization. His work Redshirts secured him the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2013, while The Collapsing Empire and The Kaiju Preservation Society won Locus Awards. Beyond his novels, he served as a creative consultant for the television series Stargate Universe and held the presidency of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America from 2010 to 2013.