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Marion Eleanor Zimmer Bradley ( June 3, 1930 - September 25, 1999) was a prolific author of largely feminist fantasy novels such as The Mists of Avalon and was a steadfast encourager of equality (and quality) in writing. In literary circles, she is often referred to by her initials, "MZB," a nickname reinforced by her good friend and editor, Donald A. Wollheim.
Born in Albany, New York, she was married to Robert Alden Bradley from October 26, 1949 until their divorce on May 19, 1964. She quickly married Walter Breen from June 3, 1964 until their divorce on May 9, 1990Events January January 3 Former leader of Panama Manuel Noriega surrenders to American forces. January 7 The Leaning Tower of Pisa is closed to the public due to safety concerns. January 9 Lt Gen Bazilio Olara Okello The man who led the coup aginst Dr Apo. In 19651965 was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). Events January-February January 4 United States President Lyndon Johnson proclaims his " Great Society" during his State of the Union address. January 14 Prime Ministers of N she graduated with a Bachelor of ArtsA Bachelor of Arts B. or A. is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course or program in the arts and/or sciences. Duration The BA generally lasts three years in the United Kingdom (except Scotland) and Australia or four years in North America, degree from Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, TexasAbilene is a city located in Texas, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 115,930. It is the county seat of Taylor County 6. Dyess Air Force Base is located to the west of the city. Abilene is also the home to Abilene Christian Un. Afterward, she moved to Berkley, California to pursue graduate studies at University of California Berkeley between 19651965 was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). Events January-February January 4 United States President Lyndon Johnson proclaims his " Great Society" during his State of the Union address. January 14 Prime Ministers of N and 1967. Her first child, David Bradley, and brother, Paul Edwin Zimmer are a published science fiction and fantasy authors in their own right.
After suffering declining health for years, Marion Zimmer Bradley died at Alta Bates Medical Center in Berkeley on September 25, 1999 four days after suffering a debilitating heart attack. Her ashes were scattered at Glastonbury Tor, in Somerset, England two months later.
Bradley was the editor of the long-running Sword and Sorceress anthology series, which encouraged submissions of fantasy stories featuring original and non-traditional heroines from young and upcoming authors. Although she encouraged in particular young female authors, she was not averse to including males in her anthologies. Mercedes Lackey was just one of many authors who first appeared in the anthologies. She also maintained a large family of writers at her home in Berkeley, California. MZB was editing the final Sword and Sorceress manuscript up until the week of her death.
MZB created the planet of Darkover as a setting for her own fantasy series, writing a large number of Darkover stories as a solo author and later collaborating with other authors to produce Darkover anthologies, where once again she encouraged story submissions from unpublished authors. The earliest Darkover novels were straight fantasy, but later volumes had a science-fiction overtone as Darkover was discovered to be a lost earth colony and recontact was made.
Probably her most famous single novel is The Mists of Avalon, a retelling of the Camelot legend from Morgaine and Gwenhwyfar ( Guinevere's) point of view that grew into a series of books, too.
Writing as Morgan Ives, Miriam Gardner, John Dexter and Lee Chapman, MZB also produced several gay and lesbian-themed novels in the 60s. Though relatively tame by today's standards, they were considered pornographic when published and MZB refused to disclose the titles.
In 1966, MZB became a cofounder of the Society for Creative Anachronism, and she is credited with coining the name of that group.
In 2000 she was awarded the World Fantasy Award for lifetime achievement.