K. D. (Kathy) Wentworth was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and in a subsequent dizzying tour of the nation, managed to attend thirteen different schools by the time she graduated from high school in upstate New York. Returning to Oklahoma to attend the University of Tulsa, she earned a B.A. in Liberal Arts and has had the sense to stay put ever since, although she dodges the occasional tornado. She taught elementary school for more years than she cares to admit and retired in 2003.

She got her start winning in the Writers of the Future Contest in 1988, and then later won the Field Publications Teachers as Writers Award in 1991. She has published nine novels and sold over fifty short stories to such markets as Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, Aboriginal Science Fiction, Pulphouse, Return to the Twilight Zone, Fantasy & Science Fiction, and Realms of Fantasy. Three of her short stories were Nebula finalists: Tall One, Burning Bright, and Born Again.

K. D. is an active member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, (SFWA) and was elected Secretary in 2000 and in 2003. She became a Judge in the L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest in 2000 and now also serves as Coordinating Judge for the contest. She loves teaching in the Writers of the Future Workshop with Tim Powers each summer. She attributes her success to having two very large dogs and a wonderful husband, not necessarily in that order. The second "person" in the above photograph is not, as rumored, her husband, but is instead a "friend of the family."

Artifact

The Millennial Squirrel  This artifact was recently viewed at an exclusive exhibition at a secret location in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Millennial Squirrel was first given to explorers Lewis and Clark by the Mandan tribe for later presentation to President Jefferson. At that time is was simply a wooden figure of a squirrel with a bushy tail, very long, sharp teeth, and outstretched hand holding an acorn.

The figure was stolen during a recreational escapade in a "house" in St. Louis. It reappeared in 1872 in the private collection of one Augustus Furtwangler. By this time it had been the subject of many thefts, swindles, double dealings, and was responsible for the death of over ten men.

Furtwangler covered the statue with a coat of fur and outfitted it with a firearm and Union Army cap. The statue disappeared after the suspicious death of Furtwangler, and later surfaced in the collection of a Michigan hardware dealer. It was then fit with a WWII helmet. At this point its legend and rich history was lost and it was considered simply a patriotic curiosity. Its real value remained hidden until it passed down to a Warren Brown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Brown immediately recognized its true value and posted it on eBay. (Reprinted with owner's permission.)

Artist

Kelley Vandiver  A Tulsa artist with wonderfully whimsical works, Kelley was Artist Guest of Honor at Conestoga 2001. The watercolor print to the left is from his collection, The Sacred Aviary, and is entitled The Cardinal Cardinal.

Authors

• Algis Budrys - K. D.'s favorite grand master
• Connie Willis - thoughtful, provocative SF at its best
• Tim Powers - wild and inventive fantasy
• C. J. Cherryh - unparalleled world building
• Sharon Shinn - great characters and compelling plots
• Barbara Hambly - lovely prose combined with superb storytelling

Books (recent)

• His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
• The Husband by Dean R. Koontz
• Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susannah Clarke
• Pretender by C. J. Cherryh
• Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Bookstore

Tattered Cover in Denver, CO.  An independent bookstore so large it reminds one of a library. Books for all tastes. Plan to spend the day.

Charity

Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary - South of the Black Hills is a ranch land turned into an open range for wild horses. The picture is of Painted Desert, the horse K. D. sponsors.

Conventions

• ArmadilloCon in Austin, TX.  The grackles are squawking and science fiction writers and editors gather to discuss the hottest books and stories. Simply the best literary con in the Southwest and possibly the nation.
• Conestoga in Tulsa, OK.  Oklahoma's longest-running fan run science fiction convention. Held in late April, it's a literary con of approximately 500 attendees and attracts many of the top authors in science fiction, fantasy, and horror.
• ConQuest in Kansas City, MO.  Held on Memorial Day weekend, Kansas City fandom always puts on a great, well run convention that is a wonderful kick-off to the summer.
• Orycon in Portland Oregon. Best convention in the Northwest.

Dog Breeds

Akita and Siberian Husky - K. D. with her current Akita, Bear, and her Siberian, Sitka. Bear is 100 lbs of teeth, claws, speed, and muscle. He works in the security business. Sitka is Bear's companion and is also known as the Siberian Hussy.

Vacation Spots

• Big Cedar Lodge - Located outside of Branson, MO on Table Rock Lake. Great food, great lodge, and wonderful vistas. Shop till you drop at the outlet malls in Branson.
• Black Hills - An oasis in the prairie of South Dakota. Wonderful place to hike and rest. Don't miss Devil's Tower and on the way up, visit Carhenge. You have to see it to believe it.
• Glacier National Park - Simply the most beautiful place on earth.
• Snowmass Mountain Chalet - August in the cool Colorado mountains. Breakfast served every morning and then off for some power shopping in the Snowmass Mall or downtown Aspen. Eat your heart out, Esther!