L. E. (Leland Exton) Modesitt Jr. (; born 1943) is an American

science fiction Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...

and

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures. The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...

author who has written over 80 novels. He is best known for the fantasy series '' The Saga of Recluce''. By 2015, the 18 novels in the ''Recluce'' series had sold nearly three million copies. By 2019, there were 22 Recluce novels. In addition to his novels, Modesitt has published technical studies and articles, columns, poetry, and a number of science fiction stories. His first short story, "The Great American Economy", was

published Publishing is the activities of making information, literature, music, software, and other content, physical or digital, available to the public for sale or free of charge. Traditionally, the term publishing refers to the creation and distribu ...

in 1973 in '' Analog Science Fiction and Science Fact''. In 2008, he published his first collection of short stories, ''Viewpoints Critical: Selected Stories'' (Tor Books, 2008). Modesitt was the Writer Guest of Honor at Balticon 58, held from May 24 to 27, 2024.

Early life

Modesitt was born in

Denver, Colorado Denver ( ) is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Consolidated city and county, consolidated city and county, the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Colorado, most populous city of the U.S. state of ...

. He graduated from

Williams College Williams College is a Private college, private liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established as a men's college in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim ...

in Massachusetts and lived in Washington, D.C. for almost 20 years while working as a political writer. He has worked as a

Navy A navy, naval force, military maritime fleet, war navy, or maritime force is the military branch, branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval warfare, naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral z ...

pilot,

lifeguard A lifeguard is a rescuer who supervises the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants such as in a swimming pool, water park, beach, spa, river and lake. Lifeguards are trained in swimming and Cardiopulmonary ...

, delivery boy, unpaid radio disc jockey,

real estate agent Real estate agents and real estate brokers are people who represent sellers or buyers of real estate or real property. While a broker may work independently, an agent usually works under a licensed broker to represent clients. Brokers and age ...

market research Market research is an organized effort to gather information about target markets and customers. It involves understanding who they are and what they need. It is an important component of business strategy and a major factor in maintaining com ...

analyst, director of research for a

political campaign A political campaign is an organized effort which seeks to influence the decision making progress within a specific group. In democracy, democracies, political campaigns often refer to election, electoral campaigns, by which representatives a ...

, legislative assistant for a Congressman, staff director for another, Director of Legislation and Congressional Relations for the

United States Environmental Protection Agency The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent agency of the United States government tasked with environmental protection matters. President Richard Nixon proposed the establishment of EPA on July 9, 1970; it began operation on De ...

, a consultant on environmental, regulatory, and communications issues, and a college lecturer and writer in residence.Profile on Baen's Universe
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

Approach to writing

Modesitt has stated, "When all the research, all the writing group support, all the cheerleading, and all the angst fade away, and they should, the bottom line is simple: As a writer, you first must entertain your readers. To keep them beyond a quick and final read, you have to do more than that, whether it's to educate them, make them feel, anger them by challenging their preconceptions—or all of that and more. But if you don't entertain first, none of what else you do matters, because they won't stay around.""The 7 Question Interview with L. E. Modesitt, Jr."

Bibliography

;Major series * '' The Saga of Recluce'' (1991–present) * '' Spellsong Cycle'' (1997–2002) * '' The Forever Hero'' (1987–1988) * '' The Corean Chronicles'' (2002–2011) * '' The Imager Portfolio'' (2009–2019) *''The Grand Illusion'' (2021–present)

Personal life

He met his current wife, Carol A. Modesitt, after moving to

New Hampshire New Hampshire ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Gulf of Maine to the east, and the Canadian province of Quebec t ...

in 1989. Carol has worked as a professional opera singer and has been a professor and opera director at Southern Utah University since 1993. They relocated to

Cedar City, Utah Cedar City is the largest city in Iron County, Utah, United States. Located south of Salt Lake City, it is north of Las Vegas on Interstate 15 in Utah, Interstate 15. Southern Utah University is located in Cedar City. It is the home of the Ut ...

in 1993. He has been married three times, and has six daughters and two sons.

References

External links

L. E. Modesitt, Jr. – Official WebsiteL. E. Modesitt, Jr.
at

Tor Books Tor Books is the primary imprint of Tor Publishing Group (previously Tom Doherty Associates), a publishing company based in New York City. It primarily publishes science fiction and fantasy titles. History Tor was founded by Tom Doherty, ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Modesitt, L. E., Jr. 1943 births Living people 20th-century American novelists 21st-century American novelists American fantasy writers American male novelists American science fiction writers Writers from Denver Williams College alumni American male short story writers 20th-century American short story writers 21st-century American short story writers 20th-century American male writers 21st-century American male writers Novelists from Colorado People from Cedar City, Utah