Adrian Tchaikovsky

British fantasy and science fiction author

Adrian Tchaikowsky

At MCM Comic Con London, May 2025

Born| 1972 (1972) (age 53)
Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom
Occupation| Author and legal executive
Language| English
Nationality| British
Alma mater| University of Reading
Period| 2008 – present
Genre| Fantasy and science fiction[1]
Subject| Zoology and psychology
Notable works| Shadows of the Apt series
Children of Time
Dogs of War
Notable awards| Arthur C. Clarke Award (2016)
Hugo Award for Best Series (2023)[a]
Children| 1
Website
www.adriantchaikovsky.com

Adrian Czajkowski (spelt as Adrian Tchaikovsky for his books; born June 1972) is a British fantasy and science fiction author. He is best known for his series Shadows of the Apt, and for his Hugo Award–winning[a] Children of Time series.[2]

Children of Time was awarded the 30th Arthur C. Clarke Award in 2016. Author James Lovegrove described it as "superior stuff, tackling big themes – gods, messiahs, artificial intelligence, alienness – with brio".[3]

## Biography

[edit]

Adrian Czajkowski was born in Lincolnshire in Woodhall Spa in June 1972.[4] He is of Polish descent.[5] He cites the natural world as an early influence, along with naturalists such as Gerald Durrell and David Attenborough, and he was fascinated by the Natural History Museum. "From there", he says in interview, "wanting to understand the behaviour – the minds – of the nonhuman started to take precedence."[6]

He studied zoology and psychology at the University of Reading although he eventually became disillusioned with the content of the course.[7] He then qualified as a legal executive.[8] He was employed as a legal executive for the Commercial Dispute Department of Blacks, Solicitors, of Leeds[9] until late 2018 when he became a full-time writer.[8]

Tchaikovsky's first foray into writing was in 1996 when he submitted several stories for publication in Xenos magazine. In the early 2000, he won Xenos's annual competition with the short story The Roar of the Crowd, only for the magazine to fold pre-publication.[10]

In 2008, after Tchaikovsky had spent fifteen years trying to get published, his novel Empire in Black and Gold was finally published by Tor Books (UK) – an imprint of Pan Macmillan – in the United Kingdom.[11] The series was later published in America by Pyr Books. Tchaikovsky expressed the desire that the Polish editions of his novels feature the original Polish spelling of his surname,[12] but these too used "Tchaikovsky".[13]

On 23 January 2019, Tchaikovsky was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the Arts by the University of Lincoln.[14]

He lives in Leeds with his wife and son.[15][16][17]

## Writing career

[edit]

Tchaikovsky revealed the basis of Shadows of the Apt in an online essay entitled "Entering the Shadows" at Upcoming4.me.[18]

Whilst studying at the University of Reading, he managed a role-playing game named Bugworld. The game concerned the story of the insect-people of the Lowlands threatened by the encroaching Wasp Empire. From this original scenario, the entire series of books grew.[19]

Tchaikovsky still uses role-playing games to help develop his stories, but now also uses live action role-playing, which assists in describing the numerous action and battle sequences in his books. He is currently involved with the LARP game Empire.[20]

Tchaikovsky has regularly expressed his intention regarding the Shadows of the Apt series not to make science better than magic,[21] or vice versa: "This is another key element, really: the magic/tech divide is a concept that turns up here and there in fantasy, but usually one side is good (mostly magic) and the other (dirty polluting tech) is bad. With the world of the kinden, they’re basically both as bad as the people who use them, whether it’s blood sacrifice in a Mantis-kinden grove or the Wasp Empire’s city-levelling weaponry."[22]

## Themes

[edit]

Themes in Tchaikovsky's books include: "the frailties of human bureaucracy and the difficulty we have in seeing beyond the human perspective,"[23] and "the terrible things we do to each other and the dogged resistance offered by the victim-participants in the vile mills of misery that are totalizing governments and wars of aggression."[24] Critics have commented positively on his "definitive" depiction of alien civilizations[25] and his treatment of "huge themes about belief, artificial intelligence, legacy, discovery, alienness and much more."[26] In an interview with Jon Sutton for the British Psychological Society, Tchaikovsky says that "Human perception of time is one of the biggest limitations of being human," and that this shortcoming lies behind many current problems, such as climate change.[27]

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

Tchaikovsky has received the following literary awards and nominations:

Table key  §  | Indicates a declined award

|

Year  | Work  | Award  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

2016  | Children of Time | Arthur C. Clarke Award | Won  | [3]
2017  | The Tiger and the Wolf | British Fantasy Award for Best Fantasy Novel  | Won  | [28]
2019  | Children of Ruin | BSFA Award for Best Novel | Won  | [29]
2020  | The Doors of Eden | Philip K. Dick Award | Finalist  | [30]
Sidewise Award for Alternate History for Long-form  | Won  | [31]
2021  | Shards of Earth | BSFA Award for Best Novel  | Won  | [32]
2022  | City of Last Chances | BSFA Award for Best Novel  | Won  | [33]
Elder Race | Hugo Award for Best Novella | Finalist  | [34]
2023  | And Put Away Childish Things | BSFA for Best Shorter Fiction | Won  | [35]
The Children of Time series  | Hugo Award for Best Series | Won§[a] | [37]
Ogres | Hugo Award for Best Novella  | Finalist  | [38]
2024  | Alien Clay | BSFA Award for Best Novel | Finalist§[b] | [39]
Saturation Point | BSFA Award for Best Shorter Fiction | Won  | [39]
2025  | Alien Clay | Hugo Award for Best Novel | Pending  | [40]
Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel | Finalist  | [41]
Philip K. Dick Award  | Special Citation  | [42]
Service Model | Arthur C. Clarke Award | Shortlisted  | [43]
Hugo Award for Best Novel  | Pending  | [40]
Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel | Finalist  | [41]
The Tyrant Philosophers | Hugo Award for Best Series | Pending  | [40]

## Bibliography

[edit]

### Novels

[edit]

Shadows of the Apt

* Main novels
* Empire in Black and Gold (2008), ISBN 978-0-230-73646-7
* Dragonfly Falling (2009), ISBN 978-0-230-70415-2
* Blood of the Mantis (2009), ISBN 978-0-230-70416-9
* Salute the Dark (2010), ISBN 978-0-330-51144-5
* The Scarab Path (2010), ISBN 978-0-330-51145-2
* The Sea Watch (2011), ISBN 978-0-330-51146-9
* Heirs of the Blade (2011), ISBN 978-0-230-75699-1
* The Air War (2012), ISBN 978-0-230-75700-4
* War Master's Gate (2013), ISBN 978-0-230-75701-1
* Seal of the Worm (2014), ISBN 978-0-230-77001-0

* Tales of the Apt (short story collections)
* Spoils of War (2016), ISBN 978-1-910935-21-7
* A Time for Grief (2017), ISBN 978-1-910935-46-0
* For Love of Distant Shores (2018), ISBN 978-1-910935-71-2
* The Scent of Tears (2018), ISBN 978-1-910935-93-4

Children of Time

* Children of Time (2015), ISBN 978-1-4472-7328-8
* Children of Ruin (2019), ISBN 978-1-5098-6585-7
* Children of Memory (2022), ISBN 978-1-5290-8717-8

Echoes of the Fall

* The Tiger and the Wolf (2016), ISBN 978-0-230-77006-5
* The Bear and the Serpent (2017), ISBN 978-1-5098-3022-0
* The Hyena and the Hawk (2018), ISBN 978-1-5098-3026-8

Bioforms

* Dogs of War (2017), ISBN 978-1-78669-388-4
* Bear Head (2021), ISBN 978-1-80024-154-1
* Bee Speaker (2025), ISBN 978-1-03590-145-6

The Tyrant Philosophers

* City of Last Chances (2022), ISBN 978-1-80110-842-3
* House of Open Wounds (2023), ISBN 978-1-0359-0138-8
* Days of Shattered Faith (2024), ISBN 978-1-0359-0152-4
* Lives of Bitter Rain (2025) (novella), ISBN 978-1-0359-1144-8
* Pretenders to the Throne of God (2026) ISBN 978-1-0359-1497-5

The Final Architecture

* Shards of Earth (2021), ISBN 978-1-5290-5188-9
* Eyes of the Void (2022), ISBN 978-1-5290-5193-3
* Lords of Uncreation (2023), ISBN 978-1-5290-5198-8

Standalone novels

* Guns of the Dawn (2015), ISBN 978-0-230-77003-4
* Spiderlight (2016), ISBN 978-0-7653-8836-0
* Cage of Souls (2019), ISBN 978-1-78854-724-6
* The Doors of Eden (2020), ISBN 978-1-5098-6588-8
* Alien Clay (2024), ISBN 978-0-316-57896-7
* Service Model (2024), ISBN 978-1-250-29028-1
* Shroud (2025), ISBN 9781035013791

After the War

* Redemption's Blade (2018), ISBN 978-1-78108-579-0, is the first book in a multi-author series. The series continued with two books by Justina Robson.

Warhammer 40,000

* Day of Ascension (2022), is Tchaikovsky's first Warhammer 40,000 novel, and like his short story Raised in Darkness from Inferno! Volume 6 (2021), concerns the insidious Genestealer Cults.
* On the Shoulders of Giants (2022), is a part of the multi-author anthology On the Shoulders of Giants and Other Stories, ISBN 9781836090014

### Novellas

[edit]

Expert Systems

* The Expert System's Brother (2018), ISBN 9781250197566
* The Expert System's Champion (2021), ISBN 978-1250766397

Terrible Worlds

* Revolutions
* Ironclads (2017), ISBN 978-1781085684
* Firewalkers (2020), ISBN 9781781088487
* Ogres (2022), ISBN 978-1786185280

* Destinations
* Walking to Aldebaran (2019), ISBN 9781781087060
* One Day All This Will Be Yours (2021), ISBN 978-1781088746
* And Put Away Childish Things (2023), ISBN 978-1786188793.

* Transformations
* Saturation Point (2024), ISBN 978-1837861743.
* The Hungry Gods (2025), ISBN 978-1837865512.

Standalone Novellas

* Made Things (2019), ISBN 9781250232991
* The House on the Old Cliff (Dyslexic Friendly Quick Read) (2021), ISBN 9781913603045
* Elder Race (2021), ISBN 978-1250768728

### Short stories

[edit]

* "The Final Conjuration" in Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets: An Anthology of Holmesian Tales Across Time and Space (2014) ISBN 978-1781082225, a collection of Sherlock Holmes short stories.
* "Where the Brass Band Plays" in Urban Mythic 2 (2014), ISBN 978-0-9573489-9-8[44]
* "Shadow Hunter" in Grimdark Magazine, issue #1[45]
* Human Resources (2025), is set in the world of Service Model, ISBN 9781250375933

### Other collections

[edit]

* Feast and Famine (New Con Press, 2013), ISBN 978-1907069543. This collection contains the stories "Feast and Famine", "The Artificial Man", "The Roar of the Crowd", "Good Taste", "The Dissipation Club", "Rapture", "Care", "2144 and All That", "The God Shark" and "The Sun in the Morning".

* The Bloody Deluge (2014), ISBN 978-1849977647. Part of The Afterblight Chronicles by Abaddon Books.

* The Private Life of Elder Things (2016), ISBN 978-1911034025. Co-authored by Keris McDonald and Adam Gauntlett. A collection of new Lovecraftian fiction about confronting, discovering and living alongside the creatures of the Mythos.

* Terrible Worlds: Revolutions (2023), ISBN 978-1786188885. Collects three novellas: Ironclads, Firewalkers and Ogres.

## Critical studies and reviews of Tchaikovsky's work

[edit]

The Doors of Eden

* West, Michelle (July–August 2020). "Musing on Books". F&SF. 139 (1&2): 88‒94.

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Tchaikovsky has since disavowed the award due to the subsequent controversy regarding that year's Hugo ballot.[36]
2. ^ Alien Clay was originally nominated for the 2024 BSFA Award for Best Novel, but was removed from the ballot at the request of the author.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Summary Bibliography: Adrian Tchaikovsky". www.isfdb.org.
2. ^ Tomio, Jay (26 September 2008). "Bug Out with Adrian Tchaikovsky Before Children of Time". Nekoplz. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
3. ^ a b Flood, Alison (24 August 2016). "Arthur C Clarke award goes to Adrian Tchaikovsky's novel of 'universal scale'". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 August 2016 – via www.theguardian.com.
4. ^ Clute, John (13 June 2022). "Tchaikovsky, Adrian". In Clute, John; Langford, David (eds.). The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction (4th ed.).
5. ^ "About the author : Shadows of the Apt".
6. ^ Tabler, Beth (7 March 2021). "Interview - Adrian Tchaikovsky". BEFOREWEGOBLOG. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
7. ^ Tabler, Beth (7 March 2021). "Interview - Adrian Tchaikovsky". BEFOREWEGOBLOG. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
8. ^ a b "Adrian Tchaikovsky: From Star to Star". Locus. Vol. 88, no. 5\. 9 May 2022.
9. ^ "Who's Who?" (PDF). www.lawblacks.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 December 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
10. ^ "Clarkesworld Magazine - Science Fiction & Fantasy". Clarkesworld Magazine. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
11. ^ "Adrian Tchaikovsky interview". Archived from the original on 9 November 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
12. ^ Tchaikovsky, Adrian (30 March 2008). "The Long Good Lunch". Empire Rising. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. "However, as the possibility of the Polish rights being sold seems extremely viable, there is an epilogue to this tale of Frankish ignorance, for in Poland, one would strongly assume, I may finally see my name in print in its unadulterated form."
13. ^ "Imprerium Czerni i złota – Adrian Tchaikovsky" (in Polish). Rebis. Archived from the original on 9 October 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
14. ^ "First nursing associates graduate among 1,000 students in Lincoln". The Lincolnite. 23 January 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
15. ^ "Pan Macmillan author page". Archived from the original on 13 January 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
16. ^ Tchaikovsky, Adrian (2010). The Scarab Path. Tor Books. ISBN 978-0-330-51145-2.
17. ^ Wright, Jonathan (September 2009). "Meet a Brit author in the vanguard of the new heroic fantasy…". SFX Magazine. Archived from the original on 8 March 2010. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
18. ^ "Story behind Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky – Entering the Shadows". Upcoming4.me. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
19. ^ "Story behind Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky - Entering the Shadows - Upcoming4.me". 6 October 2014. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
20. ^ "Profound Decisions – Empire". www.profounddecisions.co.uk. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
21. ^ See Magic in fiction
22. ^ "Interview with Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Shadow of the Apt series". www.londoncalling.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
23. ^ Brooks, Robin (6 June 2024). "'Service Model' by Adrian Tchaikovsky: A Book Review". GeekDad. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
24. ^ "Russell Letson Reviews House of Open Wounds by Adrian Tchaikovsky". Locus Online. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
25. ^ Hamilton, Peter F. (24 June 2020). "Top 10 books about remaking the future". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
26. ^ Insider, WIRED. "29 of the Best Science Fiction Books Everyone Should Read". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
27. ^ "'Human perception of time is one of the biggest limitations of being human'". BPS. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
28. ^ "Announcing the 2017 British Fantasy Award Winners". Tor.com. 1 October 2017..
29. ^ "Announcing the 2019 BSFA Award Winners". Reactor. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
30. ^ "Announcing the Nominees for the 2021 Philip K. Dick Award". Reactor. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
31. ^ "2019 and 2020 Sidewise Awards Winners". Locus. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
32. ^ "2021 BSFA Award Winners". Locus. 18 April 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
33. ^ "2022 BSFA Awards Winners". Locus. 10 April 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
34. ^ "2022 Hugo, Astounding, and Lodestar Awards Winners". Locus. 4 September 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
35. ^ "2023 BSFA Awards Winners". Locus. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
36. ^ Tchaikovsky, Adrian. "A Statement on the 2023 Hugo Awards". adriantchaikovsky.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
37. ^ "The 2023 Hugo Award Winners Are Here". Gizmodo. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
38. ^ "2023 Hugo, Astounding, and Lodestar Awards Winners". Locus. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
39. ^ a b "2024 BSFA Awards Winners". Locus. 21 April 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
40. ^ a b c "2025 Hugo Awards". www.thehugoawards.org. 10 April 2025. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
41. ^ a b "2025 Locus Awards Winners". Locus. 21 June 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
42. ^ Molly Templeton (3 April 2025). "Brenda Peynado's Time's Agent Wins the 2025 Philip K. Dick Award". Reactor. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
43. ^ "2025 Clarke Award Shortlist". Locus. 12 May 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
44. ^ "Urban Mythic 2". 12 August 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
45. ^ "Grimdark Magazine #1".

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