Kim Harrison (born 1966) is a pen name of American author Dawn Cook. Kim is best known as the author of the ''New York Times'' #1 best selling Hollows series, but she has written more than urban fantasy and has published over two dozen books spanning the gamut from young adult, accelerated-science thriller, anthology, and a unique, full-color world book, and has scripted two original graphic novels set in the Hollows universe. She has also published traditional fantasy under the name Dawn Cook.
The
Rachel Morgan urban fantasy series is set in an
alternate history
Alternate history (also alternative history, althist, AH) is a genre of speculative fiction of stories in which one or more historical events occur and are resolved differently than in real life. As conjecture based upon historical fact, altern ...
in which a worldwide
pandemic
A pandemic () is an epidemic of an infectious disease that has spread across a large region, for instance multiple continents or worldwide, affecting a substantial number of individuals. A widespread endemic (epidemiology), endemic disease wi ...
caused by
genetically modified tomatoes led to the death of a large portion of the world's human population. Under the name of Dawn Cook, she writes the Decoy Princess and Truth series, published in the first few years of the 21st century.
Harrison has received praise from fellow authors, and has reached the #1 spot on the
''New York Times'' Best Seller list.
On May 16, 2019, Harrison announced on social media that a new novel, ''American Demon'', will be forthcoming in the summer of 2020.
Early life
Kim Harrison was born and raised in the
Midwest
The Midwestern United States, also referred to as the Midwest or the American Midwest, is one of four Census Bureau Region, census regions of the United States Census Bureau (also known as "Region 2"). It occupies the northern central part of ...
. A self-proclaimed "former tomboy," she grew up the only girl in a family of boys. Despite her love of writing, she took an unorthodox approach to it, and claims to have avoided English courses beyond the basic requirements in high school and college.
Career
Harrison began her career with writing traditional
science fiction, but began writing
contemporary fantasy after deciding to focus more on character development. She spent the better part of a decade struggling as an aspiring author before meeting her current agent at a writing convention. He then introduced her to Diana Gill, who became Harrison's editor. Together, they produced ''Dead Witch Walking'', and her first book was published in paperback by HarperTorch in 2004. Since then, she has written twelve more books, two graphic novels, and extensive world book in the
''Hollows'' series, also called the Rachel Morgan series, (most with titles punning off
Clint Eastwood
Clinton Eastwood Jr. (born May 31, 1930) is an American actor and film director. After achieving success in the Western TV series '' Rawhide'', he rose to international fame with his role as the "Man with No Name" in Sergio Leone's "''Doll ...
movies) and contributed to multiple anthologies, with prequels to the ''Hollows'' books, and one with a young adult story.
After the success of her first novel, Harrison was able to resign from her day job, devoting herself to writing full-time. Her favorite author is
Ray Bradbury. She references music as one of her strongest writing influences, providing song lists for several of her characters. In her spare time, she communicates with fans via her self-maintained website and blog.
Harrison is a member of the International Thriller Writers.
The first two Truth books were originally one book, which was split into two separate books for publishing. That the two are the same, and that Cook was Harrison, was disclosed in a May 2009 ''
Locus'' magazine article.
"I'm glad it's out in the open, because it is hard to maintain these two separate identities, and remind your friends or family when you go out, 'I'm Kim today, so don't call me Dawn.' The division has served its purpose. I'm still going to be Kim, but now if somebody calls me Dawn I won't have to say 'Shut your mouth!'"
Reception
Harrison has reached #1 on the
''New York Times'' Best Seller list and is generally recognized as one of the most successful and influential creators of urban fantasy.
Her writing has garnered praise from numerous peers. Authors Kelly Gay and Courtney Allison Moulton have cited her as an inspiration. The ''Hollows'' series has also gained recognition from '' The New York Times'' and '' Amazon.com''. In 2007, ''Amazon.com'' noted that Harrison had become "one of the hottest authors in the incredibly popular genre of sexy supernaturalism."[
]
Bibliography as Kim Harrison
The Hollows universe
The Turn Novels (Hollows prequel)
#''The Turn: The Hollows begins with Death'' (February 7, 2017, )
Rachel Morgan / The Hollows Novels
#''Dead Witch Walking'' (April 2004, )
#''The Good, the Bad, and the Undead'' (January 2005, )
#''Every Which Way But Dead'' (June 28, 2005, )
#''A Fistful of Charms'' (June 27, 2006, )
#''For a Few Demons More'' (March 20, 2007, )
#''The Outlaw Demon Wails'' (''Where Demons Dare'' in the UK) (February 26, 2008, )
#''White Witch, Black Curse'' (February 24, 2009, )
#''Black Magic Sanction'' (February 23, 2010, )
#''Pale Demon'' (February 22, 2011, )
#''A Perfect Blood'' (February 21, 2012, )
#''Ever After'' (January 22, 2013, )
#''The Undead Pool'' (February 25, 2014, )
#''The Witch with No Name'' (September 9, 2014, )
#''American Demon'' (Jun 16, 2020, )
#''Million Dollar Demon'' (June 15, 2021, )
#''Trouble with the Cursed'' (June 14, 2022, )
Graphic novels
*''Blood Work: An Original Hollows Graphic Novel'' (July 12, 2011, )—Illustrated by Pedro Maia and Gemma Magno.
*''Blood Crime'' (October 30, 2012, )—Illustrated by Gemma Magno.
Supplement
*''The Hollows Insider: New fiction, facts, maps, murders, and more in the world of Rachel Morgan'' (October 25, 2011, )
Audio books
''The Turn Novels''
#''The Turn: The Hollows begins with Death'' (February 12, 2018, )—Simon & Schuster Audio, read by Marguerite Gavin
''The Hollows Novels''
#''Dead Witch Walking'' (July 23, 2007, )—Tantor Media, read by Marguerite Gavin
#''The Good, the Bad, and the Undead'' (November 29, 2007, )—Tantor Media, read by Marguerite Gavin
#''Every Which Way But Dead'' (December 31, 2007, )—Tantor Media, read by Marguerite Gavin
#''A Fistful of Charms'' (January 9, 2008,)—Tantor Media, read by Marguerite Gavin
#''For a Few Demons More'' (May 28, 2007, )—Tantor Media, read by Marguerite Gavin
#''The Outlaw Demon Wails'' (February 26, 2008, )—HarperAudio, read by Gigi Bermingham
#''White Witch, Black Curse'' (February 24, 2009, )—HarperAudio, read by Marguerite Gavin
#''Black Magic Sanction'' (February 1, 2010, )—Blackstone Audio, read by Marguerite Gavin
#''Pale Demon'' (February 22, 2011, )—Blackstone Audio, read by Marguerite Gavin
#''A Perfect Blood'' (February 1, 2012, )—Blackstone Audio, read by Marguerite Gavin
#''Ever After'' (January 22, 2013, )—Blackstone Audio, read by Marguerite Gavin
#''The Undead Pool'' (February 25, 2014, )—HarperAudio, read by Marguerite Gavin
#''The Witch with No Name'' (September 9, 2014, )—HarperAudio, read by Marguerite Gavin
Omnibus editions
*''This Witch For Hire'' (February 2006
File:2006 Events Collage V1.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2006 Winter Olympics open in Turin; Twitter is founded and launched by Jack Dorsey; The Nintendo Wii is released; Montenegro 2006 Montenegrin independence referendum, votes to declare ...
, )— Science Fiction Book Club Omnibus Edition, includes ''Dead Witch Walking'' and ''The Good, the Bad, and the Undead''
*''Dead Witches Tell No Tales'' (July 2006
File:2006 Events Collage V1.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2006 Winter Olympics open in Turin; Twitter is founded and launched by Jack Dorsey; The Nintendo Wii is released; Montenegro 2006 Montenegrin independence referendum, votes to declare ...
, )—Science Fiction Book Club Omnibus Edition, includes ''Every Which Way But Dead'' and ''A Fistful of Charms''
Collection
*''Into the Woods: Tales from the Hollows and Beyond'' (October 9, 2012, )—Includes all previous Rachel Morgan series short stories, a new related short story from Trent's perspective, and two new short stories unrelated to the series. Also published as audiobook.
Novellas and short stories
* ''Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil'': A series prequel from the viewpoint of Ivy Tamwood, the origins of her struggle against the vampiric power structure and her partnership with Rachel. Originally published in ''Dates from Hell'' (April 1, 2006, )—anthology with Kelley Armstrong, Lynsay Sands, and Lori Handeland
Lori Handeland (born 1961) is an American author of romance novels. She has twice won the Romance Writers of America RITA Award.
Biography
Handeland has wanted to be a writer since she was 10 years old. As an adult, she wrote her first book in a ...
; also included in the short story collection ''Into the Woods'' (October 9, 2012, ).
* ''Two Ghosts for Sister Rachel'': A novella prequel centered on the character Rachel Morgan in ''Holidays Are Hell'' (October 30, 2007, )—anthology with Lynsay Sands, Marjorie M. Liu
Marjorie M. Liu is an American ''New York Times'' best-selling author and comic book writer. She is acclaimed for her horror fantasy comic '' Monstress'', and her paranormal romance and urban fantasy novels including ''The Hunter Kiss'' and ''Tig ...
, and Vicki Pettersson
Vicki Pettersson is an American author known for her ''Signs of the Zodiac'' urban fantasy series and ''Celestial Blues'' trilogy, both set in modern-day Las Vegas. The Zodiac series follows casino heiress Joanna Archer, who discovers on her 25t ...
.
* "Dirty Magic": A short story centered around the banshee Mia in the anthology ''Hotter Than Hell''. (June 24, 2008, )—anthology with Lilith Saintcrow, Tanya Huff and others
* "The Bridges of Eden Park": A short story initially included in the paperback edition of ''For a Few Demons More'' and again in "Into the Woods," centered on Rachel Morgan's love interest Kisten, and his familial ties to the vampire world.
* "The Bespelled": A short story on the origins of the relationship between Ceri and Algaliarept, included in the paperback edition of ''The Outlaw Demon Wails'' and "Into the Woods."
* "Ley Line Drifter": A short story focused on Hollows character Jenks working an independent pixy case with the assistance of Ivy and Bis, published in ''Unbound'' (August 25, 2009, )—anthology with Melissa Marr, Jeaniene Frost, Vicki Pettersson
Vicki Pettersson is an American author known for her ''Signs of the Zodiac'' urban fantasy series and ''Celestial Blues'' trilogy, both set in modern-day Las Vegas. The Zodiac series follows casino heiress Joanna Archer, who discovers on her 25t ...
, and Jocelynn Drake; and "Into the Woods."
* "Sudden Backtrack": A short story focused on Algaliarept and Newt, detailing the origins of the elf and demon war; published as an exclusive addition in The Witch With No Name.
Madison Avery trilogy
Novels
#''Once Dead, Twice Shy'' (May 26, 2009, )
#''Early to Death, Early to Rise'' (May 25, 2010, )
#''Something Deadly This Way Comes'' (May 24, 2011, )
Novellas and short stories
*''Madison Avery and the Dim Reaper'' introducing Madison Avery in ''Prom Nights From Hell''. (April 1, 2007, , ) a young adult anthology
The Peri Reed Chronicles
Novels
#''The Drafter'' (September 1, 2015, )
#''The Operator'' (November 22, 2016, )
Novellas and short stories
*"Sideswiped" (August 1, 2015)
*"Waylaid", a Peri Reed and Hollows crossover (April 4, 2016)
Standalone works
Novels
#''Perfunctory Affection'' (Perfection) (2019, )
Bibliography as Dawn Cook
Truth series
The Truth series is about a young woman whose mother tells her she needs to leave home to find a mythical fortress called 'The Hold.' Along the way, she falls into a ravine and is brought out of it by a plainsman. On the way to the Hold, she dreams of her dead father and learns about her true heritage, that she has the ability to use magic, skeptical as she is.
#''First Truth'', May 28, 2002, Ace Books
Ace Books is a publisher of science fiction (SF) and fantasy books founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn. It began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns, and soon branched out into other genres, publishing its first scienc ...
,
#''Hidden Truth'', November 26, 2002, Ace Books
Ace Books is a publisher of science fiction (SF) and fantasy books founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn. It began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns, and soon branched out into other genres, publishing its first scienc ...
,
#''Forgotten Truth'', November 25, 2003, Ace Books
Ace Books is a publisher of science fiction (SF) and fantasy books founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn. It began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns, and soon branched out into other genres, publishing its first scienc ...
,
#''Lost Truth'', November 30, 2004, Ace Books
Ace Books is a publisher of science fiction (SF) and fantasy books founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn. It began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns, and soon branched out into other genres, publishing its first scienc ...
,
Decoy Princess series
#''The Decoy Princess'', November 29, 2005, Ace Books
Ace Books is a publisher of science fiction (SF) and fantasy books founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn. It began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns, and soon branched out into other genres, publishing its first scienc ...
,
#''Princess at Sea'', July 25, 2006, Ace Books
Ace Books is a publisher of science fiction (SF) and fantasy books founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn. It began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns, and soon branched out into other genres, publishing its first scienc ...
,
Short story
''With Friends Like These''
:A story about a vampire and his roommate, in ''The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2'' (September 22, 2009, )—anthology with Jordan Summers, Deborah Cooke, Karen MacInerney, Caitlin Kittredge, Dina James, Camille Bacon-Smith, Rosemary Laurey, Patti O'Shea, Angie Fox, Caitlín R. Kiernan, Jamie Leigh Hansen, Carole Nelson Douglas
Carole Nelson Douglas (November 15, 1944 – October 20, 2021) was an American writer of sixty novels and many short stories. She has written in many genres, but is best known for two popular mystery series, the ''Irene Adler'' Sherlockian suspe ...
, Diane Whiteside, Jaye Wells, Stacia Kane, Jennifer Ashley, Justine Musk
Jennifer Justine Musk (''née'' Wilson; born September 2, 1972) is a Canadian author.
Early life
Justine Wilson was born in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada and she spent most of her early life there. She attended Queen's University in Kingston ...
, Jennifer St. Giles, Nancy Holder, Larissa Ione
Larissa Ione is a ''USA Today'' and ''New York Times'' bestselling contemporary and paranormal romance author. She is published with Samhain, Red Sage Kensington and Grand Central Publishing under her own name, and along with Stephanie Tyler she ...
, Jeanne C. Stein, Tiffany Trent, Ann Aguirre
Ann Aguirre is an American author of speculative fiction. She writes urban fantasy, romantic science fiction, apocalyptic paranormal romance (with co-author Carrie Lofty as Ellen Connor), paranormal romantic suspense (as Ava Gray), and post-a ...
, and Devon Monk
Devon Monk is an American writer of urban fantasy novels. She has also published over 50 short stories in fantasy, science fiction, horror, humor, and young adult magazines and anthologies. Monk currently resides in Oregon with her husband, two ...
.
See also
*Agaliarept In the Grimoirium Verum, Agaliarept is purported to be one of two demons directly under Lucifer; Satanachia being the other. The Grimoirium Verum also states that Agalierept and ''Tarihimal'' are the rulers of ''Elelogap'', who in turn governs mat ...
References
External links
Kim Harrison official page
Kim Harrison at Harper Collins
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harrison, Kim
1966 births
American children's writers
American fantasy writers
American horror writers
American women novelists
Living people
Urban fantasy writers
American writers of young adult literature
20th-century American novelists
American women children's writers
Women science fiction and fantasy writers
Women horror writers
20th-century American women writers
Women writers of young adult literature
21st-century American women