Kathe Koja is an author. She became known for her intense speculative fiction for adults, and has since written young adult novels and historical fiction. Her work often focuses on characters who have been marginalized by society, often focusing on the transcendence and/or disintegration which proceeds from this social isolation.Koja's short stories, including some she wrote in collaboration with Barry N. Malzberg, have appeared in many publications. She won the Bram Stoker Award and the Locus Award for her first novel, "The Cipher," and a Deathrealm Award for "Strange Angels."Koja began writing when very young, but only became serious about it after attending the Clarion Workshop.