WOOD, Susan (Joan)

(1948-1980)

   Canadian sf critic and academic, with a PhD in 19th-century Canadian literature, who taught English (including sf) at the University of British Columbia. An sf fan of great energy, she won a 1973 HUGO as Susan Wood Glicksohn with her then husband Mike Glicksohn for Best Fanzine(Energumen), a 2nd (now as Susan Wood again) for Best Fan Writer in 1974, and a 3rd for Best Fan Writer (tied with Richard E. GEIS) in 1977; her 4th, also for Best Fan Writer, was awarded posthumously in 1981. SW wrotemuch criticism, including introductions for GREGG PRESS books and a review column in ALGOL which campaigned vigorously against sexism (FEMINISM), as did her essay in book form The Poison Maiden \& The Great Bitch: Female Stereotypes in Marvel Superhero Comics (as Susan Wood Glicksohn 1974 chap;as Susan Wood 1990). An important essay was "Women and Science Fiction" (1978), reprinted in Teaching Science Fiction (anth 1980) ed JackWILLIAMSON. She edited and introduced The Language of the Night: Essays on Fantasy and Science Fiction (coll 1979) by Ursula K. LE GUIN. SW's health was delicate and she drove herself too hard; her death was untimely. She wrote the CANADA entry for the 1st edn of this encyclopedia.

   PN

   See also: SCI FI; WOMEN AS PORTRAYED IN SCIENCE FICTION.