Michael G. Coney
Michael G. Coney was a British science fiction and fantasy writer born in Birmingham, England, in 1932. He had a diverse career, initially working as an accountant and later in various financial roles before transitioning to writing full-time. In the late 1960s, Coney relocated to the West Indies and then to Vancouver Island, Canada, where he worked for the British Columbia Forest Service. His literary contributions include novels, short stories, and essays, with notable titles such as "Brontomek!" which earned him a British Science Fiction Association Award, and the novelette "Tea and Hamsters," which was nominated for a Nebula Award.
Coney also authored nonfiction works related to the British Columbia Forest Museum and the lives of forest service rangers. His passion for sailing often influenced the themes in his writing. He founded Porthole Press to publish his nonfiction books and remained active in the literary community until his retirement. His works have been translated into multiple languages, showcasing his international appeal. Coney passed away on November 4, 2005, in Victoria, British Columbia, leaving behind a rich legacy in science fiction and fantasy literature.
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Subject Terms
Michael G. Coney
Writer
- Born: September 28, 1932
- Birthplace: Birmingham, England
- Died: November 4, 2005
- Place of death: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Biography
Science fiction and fantasy writer Michael Greatrex Coney was born in Birmingham, England, in 1932, and was educated at King Edward’s School in Edgbaston. He worked as an accountant, auditor, clerk, and management consultant in England. In 1957, he married his wife, Daphne, and the couple had three children. In the late-1960’s, Coney and his family moved to the West Indies, settling on Antigua, where he and his wife managed a hotel from 1969 through 1972. That year, he and his family moved to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, where he worked in the financial services department of the British Columbia Forest Service for seventeen years. He and his wife later became Canadian citizens.
Coney wrote novels, short stories, novellas, and novelettes primarily in the science fiction and fantasy genres. He also wrote a nonfiction book about the British Columbia Forest Museum, Forest Adventure: A Guide to the British Columbia Forest Museum (1985), and another nonfiction work about Forest Service rangers and their boats, Forest Ranger, Ahoy! The Men—the Ships—the Job (1983). He established the Porthole Press so he could publish these nonfiction works and continued to run the publishing company until his retirement. His passion for sailing is reflected in some of his books.
Coney received several awards and nominations for his work, including a British Science Fiction Association Award in 1977 for the novel Brontomek! (1976); a nomination for the Nebula Award for the novelette Tea and Hamsters (1996), which was also on a preliminary ballet for the Hugo Award; and five nominations for the Aurora Award. Conley’s works have been translated into French, German, Italian, and Spanish. He died in Victoria, British Columbia, on November 4, 2005.