This is Sharon Lee.
Steve died very suddenly yesterday. We had known his health was failing, and he told me a couple months ago that he’d written an obit. I found it on his computer last night. It follows in its entirety.
Steven Richard Miller July 31, 1950 – February 20, 2024
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Steven Richard Miller was born in Baltimore MD July 31 1950, son of Donald George Miller and Helen Lorraine Miller (Myers). He attended and graduated from Franklin Senior High School, Class of 1968, where he was on the chess team and also the editor of the literary magazine. He attended University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), where besides joining the chess team he became News Editor and later Managing Editor of the school newspaper, originating and teaching several courses on Science Fiction as an undergrad.
Pursuing his life-long interest in writing and science fiction he attended the Clarion West writing workshop in 1973 where he studied with genre greats Peter Beagle, James Sallis, Harlan Ellison, Terry Carr, Vonda McIntyre, Ursula LeGuin, and Joanna Russ, shortly after which he joined UMBC’s Albin O. Kuhn Library staff as the founding Curator of Science Fiction.
Following his stint as a library curator, Steve pursued writing including freelancing features, photos, and community news for many Baltimore region weekly and monthly newspapers; along the way he was also editor of Prime Time News, The Valley Voice, and an owner of New County Express, while contributing articles to the Baltimore Sun, The Washington Post, Locus, Bangor Daily News, Chess Life, Practical Survival magazine, Morning Sentinel, and others.
In April 1978, Steve and Sharon Lee declared themselves partners in life and in writing. In the next while they opened Dreams Garth and Book Castle, a science fiction themed used bookstore and art gallery business. They married in November 1980, and moved from Maryland to Skowhegan, Maine, in October 1988 after the publication of their first joint novel, Agent of Change, the first in what was to become a long series of space opera novels and stories set in their original Liaden Universe®. In 1992, they moved to Winslow; and to Waterville in 2018.
After the move to Maine, Steve continued to pursue his writing career and also became increasingly involved in computers, starting Circular Logic BBS, which became one of the state’s largest independent BBS systems, about the same time he joined the Oakland Public Library (Maine) as children’s librarian and IT specialist, a part-time position. Next, Steve was manager for Maine Computer Connection, which led to a job as lead sysop and trainer for the statewide Maine Meeting Place BBS, serving the disability community’s communication needs before the internet had become commonplace in Maine. As the internet took hold, he became Internet Librarian for Unimation, a startup in Unity, Maine. When Unimation folded during the dotcom winnowing in 1995, Steve transitioned to publisher and writer, a career he continued until his death.
Steve’s interest in chess spanned most of his life. In addition to participating in the Maryland Scholastic Chess League in high school, he was a member of UMBC’s first intercollegiate chess team and later became a US Chess Federation Tournament Director, President of the Owings Mills Chess Club in Maryland, and a voting member of the USCF representing Maryland while directing a regular series of open tournaments at the Owings Mills Chess Club, publishing Skittles – a monthly chess newsletter – and enjoying occasional success over the board.
After moving to Maine he joined and later became President of the Waterville Chess Club, where he reformed the club’s rating system, and instituted a series of regular open tournaments as well as running several Maine State Championships in a row, both of which were the largest to date in the state. He was recognized as Maine Chess Organizer of the Year in 1995. In addition to winning several club championships, Steve was part of Waterville’s Maine Chess League State championship team in 1998. He remained active in the local chess scene for many years including frequent participation in the Waterville club’s virtual meetings during Covid.
Steve was predeceased by his father, Donald Miller of Madeira Beach FL, his stepfather, Ronald L. Moore Sr., and his mother, Helen Moore. Survived by his wife, Sharon Lee, and siblings Donald George Miller (Kim), Craig Edward Miller (Brenda), Cindy Rex (Ron Prietz Sr.), Roland L. Moore, Jr. (Kay) numerous nieces and nephews.
View Comments (40)
RIP A great one has passed! Sympathies to Sharon and the rest of the Liad/Korval family who are now in mourning.
This is very sad news. You and Steve have provided me many hours of pleasure reading and re-reading your books. Yesterday, I read the post on this site describing your journey through various publishers, recalling my search for your books before you linked up with Baen. I have each of those publishers in my collection, as your books were always on my 'pre-order on announcement/order on sight' list. My deepest and most sincere sympathies on his loss to you and your families. I feel I've lost a friend I never met. Rest in Peace, Steve.
I am very sorry for your loss.
It is trite but I am sorry for you loss. I still remember buying Agents of Change even after all these years, which is possibly the best tribute I can offer.
Dear Sharon,
My dad and I are so sorry for your loss. We are also wishing you the very best health because we don't want to lose another of our favorite authors. We have been reading Korval books for over 20 years and would love another 20 years.
In sympathy,
Thomas A McDavitt, DVM
Dear Sharon,
I am so sorry to hear about Steve's passing. I was lucky enough to meet you both multiple times at different conventions. You both were gracious and I enjoyed your humorous, tongue in cheek outlook on the world. I learned to not read your books in public because I never knew when you would throw in a line or two that would cause me to spit out my coffee because I laughing so hard. If I had the option to live in any universe created by authors I read, I would choose the Liaden Universe.
People often say they understand what others are going through during a loss. During my losses in life I have taken that comment with a grain or two (well maybe a few tablespoons) of salt. Other may have experienced loss, but each person's loss is unique. So I will say to you: My thoughts are with you during this time of horrific loss.
Treat yourself kindly, and I hope that local friends will be there to support and comfort you.
Thank you for all the joy you have given me as a reader.
Sincerely,
KZ
Was beyond shocked just now to read about Steve. I am so very sorry for your loss, Sharon. The two of you created a universe and worlds that buoyed my mind, heart and spirit when I needed it most, over and over. Your writings as a team have made me laugh out loud, cry, gasp in wonder and cherish the both of you more than you will ever know.
Thank you.
My heart aches with yours, and is deeply grateful that Steve existed and graced the world with his creativity and heart. I continue to feel the same about you, Sharon. You, like Steve, are cherished, very much.
Well this sucks. Condolences to you and the cats.
Sharon,
I just checked in on the web site and am saddened by your / our loss of Steve to the next plane. Clan Korval feels like my family, have read and re- read all the novels and chap books since I first picked up Agent of Change at Fat Cat Books in Johnson City, NY.
I am so glad Steve found you, and lived a full and happy life with his perfect partner in crime.
Sad news indeed. Steve was the kind of person that the world needs more of, not fewer!
(((((Hugs))))), Sharon. My thoughts are, and will be, with you.
al’bresh venat’i
I feel a very great sense of loss for myself and can only imagine yours Sharon.