Photo thanks to @CatSparkx
Adrian was born in Lincolnshire and studied zoology and psychology at Reading before becoming a professional author in 2007. He is a keen role-player and board gamer and is trained in stage-fighting. His literary influences include Gene Wolfe, Mervyn Peake, China Miéville, Steven Erikson, Naomi Novak, Scott Lynch and Alan Campbell.
Adrian primarily explores deep themes, such as artificial intelligence and alien awareness within epic galactic and fantastical settings.
He has a deep interest in the animal world specifically insects from his studies in Zoology and has a particular penchant for spiders.
Will you like Adrian's writing?
2024
35th Galaxy Awards, Chengdu, China: Most Popular International Author. Winner
European Science Fiction Society induction to Hall of Fame as Best Author. Winner
British Science Fiction Award: Best Shorter Fiction. And Put Away Childish Things (Rebellion Publishing). Winner
Audible Best of the Year 2024: Science Fiction and Fantasy. Alien Clay (Pan Macmillan). Winner
Hugo Award 2024: Best Series The Final Architects Series (Shards of Earth, Eyes of the Void, Lords of Uncreation: Orbit US/Tor UK). Second Place
Locus Award 2024: Best Science Fiction Novel. Lords of Uncreation (Orbit US/Tor UK). Finalist
Locus Award 2024: Best Fantasy Novel. City of Last Chances (Head of Zeus). Finalist
Dragon Award 2024: Best Fantasy Novel. House of Open Wounds (Head of Zeus). Finalist
2023
British Science-Fiction Award: Best Novel. City of Last Chances (Head of Zeus) Winner
Neffy Awards (National Fantasy Fan Federation: Best Novel. Lords of Uncreation (Pan Macmillian) Winner
Locus Award 2023: Best Science Fiction Novel. Eyes of the Void (Tor UK; Orbit US) Finalist
Locus Award 2023: Best Novella. Ogres (Solaris). Finalist
British Fantasy Award: Novella. Ogres (Solaris) Shortlist
British Science-Fiction Award: Best Short Fiction. Ogres (Solaris) Shortlist
Subjective Chaos Kind of Award for Science-Fiction 2023. Eyes of the Void (Pan Macmillan) Shortlist
Dragon Award: Best Science Fiction Novel. Children of Memory (Orbit/Pan Macmillan) Shortlist
Kurd Laßwitz Preis 2022 in the Best Translated SF Work 2023. Die Scherben der Erde/Shards of Earth (Heine/Pan Macmillan). Translator: Irene Holicki Shortlist
Kelvin 505 (Spain): Best Translated Novel, Huerfanos de la Tierra (Shards of Earth) (Alamut) Shortlist
Goodreads Choice Awards 2023: Best Science Fiction: Children of Memory. Finalist
2022
British Science Fiction Awards: Shards of Earth (Tor) Winner
Hugo Awards: Elder Race (Tor.com) 2nd place
Locus Awards: Shards of Earth (Tor) Shortlisted
The Kitschies: Bear Head (Head of Zeus) Shortlist
Subjective Chaos Kind of Award: Shards of Earth (Tor) Shortlist
Ursula Le Guin Award: Elder Race (Tor.com) Shortlist
Seiun Awards (Japan): Children of Time (Tor) Nomination
(Best Translated Long Work. Translation by Masayuki Uchida)
Premi Ictineu Awards 2022 Trescafocs (Firewalkers) (Editorial Chronos) Shortlist
(Best novel translated into Catalan. Translation by Edgar Cotes i Argelich)
2021
Golden Dragon Award (Montenegro) for Best International Author (2021) Winner
Sidewise Awards: The Doors of Eden (Tor) Winner
Philip K. Dick Award: The Doors of Eden (Tor) Finalist
British Science Fiction Awards: The Doors of Eden (Tor) Shortlist
2020
Arthur C. Clarke Award: Cage of Souls (Head of Zeus) Shortlist
Prix Utopiales 2020 (France): Dogs of War (Head of Zeus) Shortlist
2019
SciFi Weekender Award for Best Author (2019) Winner
British Science Fiction Award: Children of Ruin (Tor) Winner
2017
British Fantasy Awards: The Tiger and the Wolf (Pan Macmillan) Winner
2016
Arthur C. Clarke Award: Children of Time (Tor) Winner
British Fantasy Awards: Guns of the Dawn (Tor) Shortlist
2014
British Fantasy Awards: “Family Business” in The Alchemy Press Book of Urban Mythic (Best Short Story) Shortlist
David Gemmell Legend Award: War Master’s Gate (Tor UK) Shortlist for Best Novel 2014.
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