John Scalzi

John Scalzi

John Scalzi was born in 1969, John Scalzi has written at least 109 books. Their most popular book is Old Man's War with 1354 saves with an average rating of 4.13⭐. Their next book, The Shattering Peace, is scheduled for release on .

Author Bio

John Scalzi has been writing professionally since 1991, first as a film critic and general columnist for the Fresno Bee newspaper (where his reviews and columns were nationally syndicated), then as America Online’s in-house writer and editor, and since 1998 as a full-time freelance writer. Scalzi is best known as a writer of science fiction, with several novels in the genre published since 2005, including Redshirts, the 2013 winner of the Hugo Award for best novel. He also frequently writes non-fiction.

Scalzi is also a consultant on writing, editing and marketing. Clients (directly or in association with marketing companies) have included The Walt Disney Company, AOL, Oppenheimer Funds, US Trust, Zagat and Network Solutions. Scalzi also served as the Creative Consultant on the television show Stargate: Universe and wrote a column on science fiction film for the FilmCritic.com site. He also wrote the video game Midnight Star, and the accompanying graphic novel, Midnight Rises. His work has been featured on the Netflix television series Love, Death and Robots.

A California native, Scalzi attended the Webb Schools of California and the University of Chicago, and lives in Ohio with his wife, daughter and an assortment of pets.

Old Man's War

#1 of 6 in Old Man's War

Old Man's War
ByJohn Scalzi

2005 • 1,354 Readers • 320 pages 4.1

The Kaiju Preservation Society

2022 • 887 Readers • 272 pages 3.9

Starter Villain

Starter Villain
ByJohn Scalzi

2023 • 881 Readers • 262 pages 4

Redshirts

Redshirts
ByJohn Scalzi

2012 • 841 Readers • 318 pages 3.8

The Collapsing Empire

#1 of 3 in The Interdependency

2017 • 681 Readers • 336 pages 4.1

Lock In

#1 of 2 in Lock In

Lock In
ByJohn Scalzi

2001 • 577 Readers • 336 pages 3.9

The Ghost Brigades

#2 of 6 in Old Man's War

The Ghost Brigades
ByJohn Scalzi

2006 • 552 Readers • 10h 25m 4

The Last Colony

#3 of 6 in Old Man's War

The Last Colony
ByJohn Scalzi

2007 • 435 Readers • 324 pages 4

The Consuming Fire

#2 of 3 in The Interdependency

The Consuming Fire
ByJohn Scalzi

2018 • 356 Readers • 336 pages 4.2

The Last Emperox

#3 of 3 in The Interdependency

The Last Emperox
ByJohn Scalzi

2020 • 348 Readers • 336 pages 4.1

Zoe's Tale

#4 of 6 in Old Man's War

Zoe's Tale
ByJohn Scalzi

2008 • 297 Readers • 406 pages 3.7

The Human Division

#5 of 6 in Old Man's War

The Human Division
ByJohn Scalzi

2013 • 276 Readers 4

The Dispatcher

#1 of 3 in The Dispatcher

The Dispatcher
ByJohn Scalzi

2016 • 265 Readers • 2h 18m 4.1

Head On

#2 of 2 in Lock In

Head On
ByJohn Scalzi

2018 • 263 Readers • 291 pages 4

The End of All Things

#6 of 6 in Old Man's War

2015 • 249 Readers • 11h 25m 3.9

Fuzzy Nation

#7 of 9 in Fuzzy Sapiens

Fuzzy Nation
ByJohn Scalzi

2011 • 248 Readers • 355 pages 4.1

The Android's Dream

#1 of 1 in The Android's Dream

The Android's Dream
ByJohn Scalzi

2006 • 192 Readers • 398 pages 4

Agent to the Stars

Agent to the Stars
ByJohn Scalzi

2004 • 181 Readers • 8h 45m 3.8

Unlocked: An Oral History of Haden's Syndrome

#0.5 of 2 in Lock In

2014 • 113 Readers • 96 pages 4

Murder by Other Means

#2 of 3 in The Dispatcher

2020 • 107 Readers • 105 pages 4

The Sagan Diary

The Sagan Diary
ByJohn Scalzi(Narrator),Stephanie Wolfe(Narrator)

2008 • 96 Readers • 1h 34m 3.1

The B-Team

#1 of 14 in The Human Division

The B-Team
ByJohn Scalzi

2013 • 94 Readers • 93 pages 4.3

When the Moon Hits Your Eye

2025 • 92 Readers • 336 pages 4

Slow Time Between the Stars

#6 of 6 in The Far Reaches

2023 • 91 Readers • 28 pages 4.2

The God Engines

The God Engines
ByJohn Scalzi

2009 • 90 Readers • 136 pages 3.8

Travel by Bullet

#3 of 3 in The Dispatcher

Travel by Bullet
ByJohn Scalzi

2022 • 73 Readers • 224 pages 3.9

Questions for a Soldier

#1.5 of 6 in Old Man's War

2005 • 67 Readers • 30 pages 4

After the Coup

#4.5 of 6 in Old Man's War

After the Coup
ByJohn Scalzi

2008 • 61 Readers • 33 pages 3.9

Walk the Plank

#2 of 14 in The Human Division

Walk the Plank
ByJohn Scalzi

2013 • 48 Readers • 32 pages 3.8

Miniatures

Miniatures
ByJohn Scalzi

2016 • 47 Readers • 142 pages 3.7

We Only Need the Heads

#3 of 14 in The Human Division

2013 • 44 Readers • 48 pages 4.1

The Back Channel

#6 of 14 in The Human Division

The Back Channel
ByJohn Scalzi

2013 • 41 Readers • 33 pages 3.9

A Voice in the Wilderness

#4 of 14 in The Human Division

2013 • 40 Readers • 36 pages 3.7

METAtropolis: The Dawn of Uncivilization

#1 of 4 in METAtropolis

2008 • 39 Readers • 288 pages 3.6

Tales From the Clarke

#5 of 14 in The Human Division

2013 • 39 Readers • 43 pages 4.1

The Dog King

#7 of 14 in The Human Division

The Dog King
ByJohn Scalzi

2013 • 39 Readers • 43 pages 4.1

Earth Below, Sky Above

#13 of 14 in The Human Division

2013 • 37 Readers • 77 pages 4.3

The Observers

#9 of 14 in The Human Division

The Observers
ByJohn Scalzi

2013 • 37 Readers • 48 pages 4.1

A Problem of Proportion

#11 of 14 in The Human Division

2013 • 37 Readers • 46 pages 4.2

The Sound of Rebellion

#8 of 14 in The Human Division

2013 • 37 Readers • 29 pages 4.2

This Must Be the Place

#10 of 14 in The Human Division

2013 • 36 Readers • 33 pages 4

The Gentle Art of Cracking Heads

#12 of 14 in The Human Division

2013 • 35 Readers • 29 pages 4.3

Cover 0

#6.1 of 6 in Old Man's War

2015 • 29 Readers • 82 pages 4.4

The President's Brain is Missing

2019 • 24 Readers • 47m 3.6

Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded: A Decade of Whatever, 1998-2008

#1 of 4 in Whatever

2008 • 23 Readers • 373 pages 3.1

This Hollow Union

#2 of 5 in The End of All Things

This Hollow Union
ByJohn Scalzi

2014 • 23 Readers • 216 pages 4.5

Can Long Endure

#3 of 5 in The End of All Things

Can Long Endure
ByJohn Scalzi

2015 • 23 Readers • 224 pages 4.4

Cover 6

#4 of 5 in The End of All Things

To Stand or Fall
ByJohn Scalzi

2015 • 22 Readers • 91 pages 4.5

Cover 4

2009 • 21 Readers • 26 pages 4.2

A Very Scalzi Christmas

2019 • 20 Readers 4.2

The New Space Opera 2

#4 of 2 in Mars

The New Space Opera 2
ByGardner Dozois(Editor),Jonathan Strahan(Editor)

2007 • 18 Readers • 560 pages 3.6

Cover 5

#0.5 of 3 in The Interdependency

2019 • 17 Readers • 5 pages 4.3

The Best of Subterranean

2 Subterranean Magazine

The Best of Subterranean
ByWilliam Schafer(Editor),Lewis Shiner(Contributor)

2017 • 16 Readers • 747 pages 4.1

Cover 2

Rip-Off!
ByElizabeth Bear,John Scalzi,+8 more

2012 • 15 Readers • 12 pages 3.4

The Human Division Extras

#14 of 14 in The Human Division

2013 • 13 Readers 5

Cover 4

2008 • 12 Readers 3.8

Cover 3

2011 • 11 Readers • 25 pages 4

Cover 3

An Election
ByJohn Scalzi

2010 • 11 Readers • 23 pages 3.6

Resist: Tales from a Future Worth Fighting Against

Resist: Tales from a Future Worth Fighting Against
ByHugh Howey,Charlie Jane Anders,+25 more

2018 • 11 Readers • 386 pages 3.8

Some of the Best from Tor.com, 2014 edition

#4 of 10 in Some of the Best from Tor.com

Some of the Best from Tor.com, 2014 edition
ByCharlie Jane Anders,Dale Bailey,+24 more

2015 • 10 Readers • 940 pages 4.5

Constituent Service: A Third District Story

2024 • 9 Readers • 2h 30m 3.7

Judge Sn Goes Golfing

#1.5 of 1 in The Android's Dream

2009 • 8 Readers • 32 pages 4

Muse of Fire

Muse of Fire
ByJohn Scalzi

2012 • 8 Readers • 28 pages 4

Cover 1

Clash of the Geeks
ByWil Wheaton,John Scalzi,+7 more

2010 • 8 Readers • 60 pages 3.7

The Shadow War of the Night Dragons, Book One: The Dead City

2011 • 7 Readers • 11 pages 3.3

Old Man's War Boxed Set 1

2014 • 6 Readers 5

Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 55, April 2011

#55 of 17 in Clarkesworld Magazine

2011 • 6 Readers • 46 pages 2.5

Don't Live for Your Obituary: Advice, Commentary and Personal Observations on Writing, 2008-2017

#3 of 4 in Whatever

2017 • 5 Readers • 469 pages 3

Black Tide Rising

#4.5 of 7 in Black Tide Rising

Black Tide Rising
ByJohn Ringo,Mike Massa,+11 more

2016 • 5 Readers 4

The Mallet of Loving Correction

#2 of 4 in Whatever

2013 • 5 Readers • 488 pages 3

Love, Death and Robots: The Official Anthology: Volume One

#1 of 1 in Love, Death + Robots

Love, Death and Robots: The Official Anthology: Volume One
ByAlberto Mielgo,Claudine Griggs,+13 more

2021 • 5 Readers • 312 pages 3

The Art of John Harris: Beyond the Horizon

2014 • 4 Readers 5

Cover 7

2018 • 4 Readers • 32 pages 4.5

Twenty-First Century Science Fiction

#3 of 2 in Mars

Twenty-First Century Science Fiction
ByCharles Stross,Vandana Singh,+32 more

2013 • 4 Readers • 576 pages 3

Cover 4

Planned book #2 of 3 in The Android's Dream

The High Castle
ByJohn Scalzi

4 Readers

Miniatures: The Very Short Fiction of John Scalzi

2016 • 4 Readers • 164 pages 4.3

Tor.com: Selected Original Fiction, 2008-2012

2 Tor.com: Selected Original Fiction

Tor.com: Selected Original Fiction, 2008-2012
ByTor Books,Sylvia Day,+7 more

2013 • 4 Readers 3

Uncanny Magazine Issue 56: January/February 2024

#56 of 18 in Uncanny Magazine

Uncanny Magazine Issue 56: January/February 2024
ByMary Robinette Kowal,Jordan Taylor,+6 more

2024 • 4 Readers • 199 pages 4.2

Cover 7

Planned book #2 of 2 in Love, Death + Robots

3 Readers • 318 pages

Cover 0

2017 • 3 Readers 4.3

Cover 2

2018 • 3 Readers • 32 pages 4.5

The Rough Guide to the Universe

2 Rough Guides

2003 • 3 Readers • 440 pages

Shapers of Worlds

Shapers of Worlds
ByTanya Huff,John Scalzi,+15 more

2020 • 3 Readers 4

When the Yogurt Took Over

2010 • 2 Readers • 32 pages 5

First-Person Singularities

First-Person Singularities
ByRobert Silverberg

2017 • 2 Readers • 384 pages

Uncanny Magazine Issue 55: November/December 2023

#55 of 18 in Uncanny Magazine

Uncanny Magazine Issue 55: November/December 2023
ByKel Coleman,Cecil Castellucci,+6 more

2023 • 2 Readers • 173 pages 4

Ad Astra: The 50th Anniversary SFWA Cookbook

Ad Astra: The 50th Anniversary SFWA Cookbook
ByElizabeth Bear,Octavia E. Butler,+6 more

2015 • 2 Readers • 372 pages

Cover 2

2005 • 2 Readers • 22 pages 3

The Shattering Peace

Planned book #7 of 27 in Old Man's War

Available September 16, 2025 • 2 Readers

Virtue Signaling and Other Heresies: Selected Writings from Whatever, 2013-2018

Planned book #4 of 5 in Whatever

2 Readers • 432 pages 3

That Was the Millennium That Was

2010 • 1 Reader • 32 pages

Uncle John's Presents Book of the Dumb 2

8 Uncle John's Facts and Trivia

2004 • 1 Reader • 352 pages

The Rough Guide to Sci-Fi Movies

2005 • 1 Reader • 348 pages

Uncle John's Presents: Book of the Dumb

8 Uncle John's Facts and Trivia

Uncle John's Presents: Book of the Dumb
ByJohn Scalzi,Bathroom Readers' Institute

2003 • 1 Reader • 320 pages

Tor.com Ebook Club - May 2022

1 Tor.com Ebook Club

Tor.com Ebook Club - May 2022
ByJohn Scalzi,Erin K. Wagner,+1 more

2022 • 1 Reader • 140 pages 4

Subterranean Magazine, Spring 2007

Subterranean Magazine, Spring 2007
ByWilliam Schafer(Editor),Caitlín R. Kiernan(Contributor)

2007 • 1 Reader

Sarah's Sister

Sarah's Sister
ByJohn Scalzi

2011 • 1 Reader • 32 pages 5

Subterranean Magazine, Winter 2010

2 Subterranean Magazine

Subterranean Magazine, Winter 2010
ByWilliam Schafer(Editor),Ian R. MacLeod(Contributor)

2010 • 1 Reader