CONtraflow XI

Propped against the bookcase in Catherine Asaro's home is the diploma of her Harvard Ph.D. in chemical physics. Nearby, dangling from the doorknob, is a bag stuffed with the tights and leotards she wears when she pulls herself away from her writing for ballet class. A former professional dancer, this California native has little time for the ballet barre these days. Instead, she's fielding speaking offers and meeting deadlines for her novels. Catherine is a bestselling author of science fiction and fantasy. She has won numerous awards, including the Nebula® for her novel The Quantum Rose and her novella “The Space-time Pool.”

Catherine’s latest book, The Bronze Skies, came out in September 2017 and was a stand alone science fiction mystery in the Major Bhaajan universe. Her story “The Wages of Honor,” set in the Ruby Dynasty universe, was included in Infinite Stars: Definitive Space Opera and Military Science Fiction, edited by Bryan Thomas Schmidt. Her novella, “Walk in Silence,” appeared in Catalysts, Explorers & Secret Keepers: Women of Science Fiction, edited by Monica Louzon, Jake Weisfeld, Heather McHale, Barbara Jasny & Rachel Frederick. The anthology was a take-home exhibit by the Museum of Science Fiction. Catherine’s next work is the novel, The Vanished Seas, due out in the summer of 2020.

Catherine earned her doctorate in theoretical chemical physics from Harvard. Until last year, she directed the Chesapeake Math Program and coached numerous students for competitions, including those sponsored by Harvard-MIT, Princeton, Mathcounts, and the USA Mathematical Olympiad. She is a member of SIGMA, a think tank of speculative writers that advises the government on future trends affecting national security. A popular speaker, she has given invited talks at many institutions, including the National Academy of Sciences, Harvard, Georgetown, NASA, the New Zealand Context Writer's program, the US Naval Academy and the Hoover Public Library. She is also known for her advocacy in bringing girls and women into STEM fields, and for challenging gender roles in her fiction.

Catherine has been the Guest of Honor at numerous Science Fiction conventions here and abroad, including most recently Balticon 52. She is also a vocalist and composer. Her most recent song is “Ancient Ages” in collaboration with songwriter Arlan Andrews. The video can be viewed at www.reverbnation.com/catherineasaro
[ https://www.reverbnation.com/catherineasaro ] You can chat with Catherine at www.facebook.com/Catherine.Asaro
[ https://www.facebook.com/Catherine.Asaro ]