Size / / /

Born to life in 1947 (France), and to science-fiction in 1964. Teaches French Literature and Creative Writing on and off at various universities in Quebec (since immigration, in 1973). “Fulltime writer” since 1990, (despite PhD. in Creative Writing, 1987), i.e. translator, SF convention organizer, literary editor (Solaris magazine), essayist. Still managed to publish fifteen novels and eight short stories collections in French, two in English (Slow Engines of Time, Blood Out of A Stone). Five novels translated in English, (The Silent City, In the Mothers' Land aka The Maerlande Chronicles—1993 Philip K. Dick’ s Special Award and a finalist of the 1993 Tiptree Award —Reluctant Voyagers, Dreams of the Sea (Tyranaël I, 2003), A Game of Perfection (Tyranaël 2, 2005) ; other translations in German. The more recent novels, Reine de Mémoire (2005-2007, five books), received four major awards in Quebec. Numerous short stories published in French and English. Also writes for children and YA. More than thirty awards in France, Canada, Quebec and the States, among which the Grand prix de la SF française ((1982), le Grand Prix de la SF et du fantastique québécois (three times), le Philip K. Dick Special Award, le Prix du Conseil québécois de la Femme en littérature (1998, a one-time literary award given by the Quebecois Council for Women’s Affairs on its twentieth anniversary), and seven Aurora awards (last one for Reine de Mémoire 5, 2007).

More information can be found at her SFWA author page or, in French, her website.


Élisabeth Vonarburg in our archives
Current Issue
7 Jul 2025

i and màmá, two moons, two eclipsed suns.
Tell me, can God sing / like a katydid; cicada-bellow / for the seventeen silent years?
In this episode of Critical Friends, the Strange Horizons SFF criticism podcast, Dan Hartland speaks with reviewers and critics Rachel Cordasco and Will McMahon about science fiction in translation.
Friday: BUG by Giacomo Sartori, translated by Frederika Randall 
Issue 30 Jun 2025
Issue 23 Jun 2025
Issue 16 Jun 2025
By: Ariel Marken Jack
Podcast read by: Emmie Christie
Issue 9 Jun 2025
Issue 8 Jun 2025
Issue 2 Jun 2025
By: R.B. Lemberg
Podcast read by: Jenna Hanchey
Issue 26 May 2025
Issue 19 May 2025
By: Elle Engel
Podcast read by: Emmie Christie
Issue 12 May 2025
Issue 5 May 2025
Load More