Petra Mayer in 2019.
Allison Shelley/NPR
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Allison Shelley/NPR
Petra Mayer in 2019.
Allison Shelley/NPR
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Honor Petra Mayer, Editor-in-Chief of NPR Books, with Posthumous Letter Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award.
“Petra loved speculative fiction genres and passionately celebrated them throughout her media career,” the SFWA wrote in a statement. “In choosing the writers she worked with and the books to feature, she repeatedly uplifted marginalized creators and introduced their stories to a host of readers.”
Arley Sorg, co-editor of Fantastic Magazine and Troy L. WigginsMemphis writer and editor.
Petra died suddenly in November 2021 of what is believed to be a pulmonary embolism. She was 46 years old. The self-proclaimed “resident nerd” of NPR Books had what she called “a truly impressive collection of Doctor Who doodads. Pointing audiences towards genre fiction was one of the many hats Petra wore on the network. (She also loved hats and donning suits for Comi-Con, Halloween, parties, etc.) Petra’s parents established the Petra Mayer Memorial Fund for Internships in her memory.
“Arley, Troy and Petra are shining examples of how people contribute to the greater genre community by pursuing their own personal passions,” SFWA President Jeffe Kennedy wrote, “I mourn the loss of Petra and all that she has contributed to the genre and to the SFF community. I hope this award helps shine a light on someone we lost far too young.”
The SFWA Nebula Awards ceremony will take place on May 21.
