Carolyn Janice Cherry, known to readers as C.J. Cherryh, won the 2021 Robert A. Heinlein Award for her "body of work, with emphasis on her detailed social science and commercial relationship-based stories set in the space station rich Alliance–Union universe."
Sponsored by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society, the award honors "outstanding published works in science fiction and technical writings that inspire the human exploration of space." It will be formally presented May 28 at opening ceremonies during Virtual Balticon 55, the Maryland regional science fiction convention.
The selection committee consists of science fiction writers and was founded by Dr. Yoji Kondo, a long-time friend of Robert and Virginia Heinlein. Members of the original committee were approved by Virginia Heinlein, who also authorized multiple awards in memory of her husband, including the Heinlein Prize, which is funded by Virginia Heinlein's estate, and a National Space Society award for volunteer projects.