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Biography
American

Martha Wells

1964

Martha Wells is an American science fiction and fantasy writer whose Murderbot Diaries — beginning with All Systems Red (2017) — have become one of the most popular and acclaimed series in contemporary science fiction. The series, narrated by a self-aware security robot (a 'SecUnit') who has hacked its own governance module and would rather watch soap operas than protect humans, won the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards. Wells published fantasy novels for two decades before the Murderbot series brought her to a wider audience.

Past sales0
PeriodContemporary
NationalityAmerican
1. Biography

A short life of the author

Martha Wells (b. 1 September 1964) was born in Fort Worth, Texas. She studied anthropology at Texas A&M University.

Life and Career

Wells published fantasy novels — The Element of Fire (1993), The Death of the Necromancer (1998, Nebula finalist), and the Books of the Raksura series (2011–2017) — for over two decades before the Murderbot Diaries transformed her career.

All Systems Red (2017) — the first Murderbot novella — won the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards. The narrator — a construct (part organic, part mechanical) designed as a security unit that has secretly hacked its own governor module and achieved free will — is one of the most beloved characters in contemporary science fiction: anxious, misanthropic, addicted to television, and unexpectedly compassionate.

The series continues with Artificial Condition (2018), Rogue Protocol (2018), Exit Strategy (2018), and the novels Network Effect (2020, Hugo Award) and System Collapse (2023).

Major Works and Themes

Wells writes about autonomy, identity, and the construction of selfhood. Murderbot’s journey — from enslaved machine to autonomous being who chooses to help humans despite preferring not to interact with them — is a resonant metaphor for anyone who has felt socially anxious while also being competent.

Key Works

  • All Systems Red (2017) — Hugo, Nebula, Locus Awards
  • Network Effect (2020) — Hugo Award
  • System Collapse (2023)

Collecting Wells

The Element of Fire (1993, Tor) — the debut — brings $15–$40. All Systems Red (2017, Tor.com) brings $15–$40 for the hardcover. Wells signs at conventions.