Tim Powers

Tim Powers is an acclaimed American author, best known for his works in the science fiction and fantasy genres. He has written numerous novels, many of which have won prestigious awards and gained critical acclaim. Powers is a two-time winner of the Philip K. Dick Award for his novels Last Call and Declare. Additionally, he has won the World Fantasy Award three times, further cementing his reputation as a master of the genre.

Powers is known for his unique storytelling style, often incorporating elements of "secret histories" in his works. This means that he takes actual, documented historical events and adds a supernatural twist to them, featuring famous people and giving a unique perspective on historical events. His novels are known for their intricate plots, richly drawn characters, and meticulous attention to detail.

Born in Buffalo, New York, Powers grew up in California where he developed an interest in English Literature. He studied the subject at Cal State Fullerton, where he met fellow writers James Blaylock and K.W. Jeter. The three writers became close friends and occasional collaborators, and have been referred to as "steampunks" in contrast to the prevailing cyberpunk genre of the 1980s. Powers' first major novel was The Drawing of the Dark (1979), but it was his novel The Anubis Gates that earned him wide praise, winning the Philip K. Dick Award.

When he is not writing, Powers teaches high school students part-time and mentors upcoming science fiction/fantasy authors. He is also a Writer in Residence for the Orange County High School of the Arts, where he teaches part-time. Powers and his wife, Serena, currently reside in Muscoy, California. His works have inspired several feature films, including Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, which was based on his novel of the same name.