I was surprised and saddened to hear that Joanna Russ passed away at 74. I haven’t thought about her work for awhile, but the field is a different and better place for her influence — a tremendous and lasting gift to writers and readers, men and women. It’s worth reiterating what people familiar with her work already know — she was a kickass writer. When It Changed is still with me, some 35 years after reading it. (“Katy drives like a maniac.”) Picnic On Paradise was the first s.f. book I ever read with a strong, smart, competent, interesting female lead. As a young reader and fledgling writer, as a guy, this was a huge deal.
Goodbye, Joanna — grace and peace.
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