Andre M. Publishing

Born Alice Mary Norton in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1912, Andre Norton adopted her pen name to enhance marketability for her early works, which were primarily aimed at a male audience. She began her writing career while in high school, eventually publishing her first novel in 1934. Norton worked for the Cleveland Library System for nearly two decades, an experience that included defending the acquisition of J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit' for the library. She later worked at the Library of Congress and briefly owned a bookstore before dedicating herself to writing full-time in 1958. Norton's career spanned over seventy years, during which she wrote hundreds of books across science fiction, fantasy, historical, and contemporary fiction genres, many of which were aimed at young adults. She passed away in 2005, leaving a substantial literary legacy.

Alice Mary Norton was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1912. Her early interest in writing began during her high school years, where she contributed to the school newspaper and penned her first book, 'Ralestone Luck,' though it was published later. After high school, she initially pursued a teaching career but left college due to the Great Depression. Norton then worked for the Cleveland Library System for eighteen years, eventually in the children's section. It was during this period, in 1934, that she legally changed her name to Andre Alice Norton and adopted the pen name 'Andre Norton' for her first published book, 'The Prince Commands,' to appeal to a broader audience. Her work on 'The Hobbit' for the library collection highlights her early engagement with fantasy literature.

Andre Norton's literary career took off after she became a full-time professional writer in 1958. She authored numerous historical novels for young readers before venturing into science fiction and fantasy. Her first published science fiction story appeared in 1947, followed by her first fantasy novel, 'Huon of the Horn,' in 1951, and her first science fiction novel, 'Star Man's Son, 2250 A.D.,' in 1952. Norton was a prolific writer, known for her extensive series, most notably 'Witch World,' which began in 1963 and spawned dozens of books. She also collaborated with other authors on various projects, including works set in the Greyhawk Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting, such as 'Quag Keep.' Her writing career spanned over seven decades, resulting in more than 300 published titles.

Andre Norton received numerous accolades throughout her career, including being the first woman to be honored as Gandalf Grand Master of Fantasy, SFWA Grand Master, and inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. She was nominated for the Hugo Award multiple times and won the World Fantasy Award for lifetime achievement in 1998. In recognition of her significant impact on young adult speculative fiction, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America established the Andre Norton Award in her honor. Many notable authors cite her as a major influence, underscoring her profound and lasting effect on the science fiction and fantasy genres. The High Hallack Library, a research facility dedicated to genre literature, was also established with her involvement.