Influential fantasy fiction writer Ursula K. Le Guin died Monday at the age of 88, and her death has driven an outpouring of remembrances and odes to her work, particularly from fellow writers. 
 
 Le Guin authored more than 20 novels in her lifetime, as well as a dozen books of poetry, more than 100 short stories, seven collections of essays, 13 books for children, and five volumes of translation. Her work has been translated into more than 40 languages and has sold millions of copies around the world, and her writing is noted for its feminist sensibilities and providing “high literature” in the fantasy genre. Le Guin won multiple Hugo and Nebula awards, prizes awarded specifically for science fiction and fantasy writing, as well as the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters at the National Book Awards. 
 
 Her passing has left an immense hole in the world of fantasy fiction and many prominent authors of the genre (and beyond) are responding to her death with sadness and messages that recount how much her work inspired them. Stephen King called Le Guin “a literary icon” and wished her “godspeed into the galaxy.” Best-selling author N.K. Jemisin said Le Guin is “one of the reasons [she’s] a writer now.” 
 
 Beloved writer Neil Gaiman, who presented Le Guin with the National Book Foundation’s lifetime achievement award, also shared how deeply affected he was by the news, writing, “I just learned that Ursula K. Le Guin has died. Her words are always with us. Some of them are written on my soul. I miss her as a glorious funny prickly person, & I miss her as the deepest and smartest of the writers, too.” 
 
 Read below for a sampling of reactions to the author’s death. 
 
 Usula K. LeGuin, one of the greats, has passed. Not just a science fiction writer; a literary icon. Godspeed into the galaxy. — Stephen King (@StephenKing) January 23, 2018 
 
 This is heartbreaking. I always hoped for the chance to meet her. She's one of the reasons I'm a writer now. — N. K. Jemisin (@nkjemisin) January 23, 2018 
 
 And altho I didn't realize it at the time, folks pointed out to me that the Broken Earth saga is basically "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas" writ large. Her influence is all of my work, popping out in ways I don't even notice 'til much later. — N. K. Jemisin (@nkjemisin) January 23, 2018 
 
 I just learned that Ursula K. Le Guin has died. Her words are always with us. Some of them are written on my soul. I miss her as a glorious funny prickly person, & I miss her as the deepest and smartest of the writers, too. Still honoured I got to do this: https://t.co/U4mma5pJMw — Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) January 23, 2018 
 
 We are incredibly saddened by the passing of the visionary writer Ursula K. Le Guin, whose art has influenced writers across the globe. https://t.co/amt3i9a0pZ — National Book (@nationalbook) January 23, 2018 
 
 “People who deny the existence of dragons are often eaten by dragons. From within.” Rest in peace, Ursula. — Penguin Random House (@penguinrandom) January 23, 2018 
 
 Ursula Le Guin has died. She is a master storytelling. She is fierce and frighteningly smart and does not tolerate fools. Her EARTHSEA books are a revelation. — Shannon Hale (@haleshannon) January 23, 2018 
 
 I'm sitting in an airport crying. Ursula Le Guin. You have taken my words with you. — Mary Robinette Kowal (@MaryRobinette) January 23, 2018 
 
 Sad to hear of the passing of Ursula K. Le Guin, one of the most brilliant American novelists and thinkers. https://t.co/tD6L4SZvoG — Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) January 23, 2018 
 
 Ursula Le Guin has been a hero of mine for 20 years. She's done so much, and she will continue to do good even though she's gone. She recorded a podcast recently and I want everyone who can to listen to it. I haven't stopped thinking about it for weeks. https://t.co/K8GbRLWenR — Hank Green (@hankgreen) January 23, 2018 
 
 Hail and farewell Ursula Le Guin. https://t.co/5qEcU1D9Xe — Hari Kunzru (@harikunzru) January 23, 2018 
 
 Le Guin is one of those writers who hit me in fundamental ways early. I've said many times I wouldn't be the same writer – by which I mean, person – without The Tombs of Atuan. She's an enormous talent and a huge, huge loss. — Kieron Gillen (@kierongillen) January 23, 2018 
 
 “It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end.” –Ursula K. LeGuin Legendary author Ursula K. LeGun has died, age 88. Her stories will live forever. pic.twitter.com/c7bGtV1Hka — B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy (@BNSciFi) January 23, 2018 
 
 I'll have more to say about Ursula Le Guin's passing, probably tomorrow. But for now, "God damn it" will suffice. — John Scalzi (@scalzi) January 23, 2018 
 
 One of the first white science fiction writers to depict a racially diverse universe with black and brown main characters, Ursula Le Guin has died. https://t.co/x1rj1aY25C — Karen Sands-O'Connor (@ksandsoconnor) January 23, 2018 
 
 Oh, no. Rest In Power, Ursula Le Guin. https://t.co/AGt5CRVNzP — Jaclyn Friedman❄️ (@jaclynf) January 23, 2018 
 
 Sad, sad news. Ursula Le Guin passed away. One of our greats.https://t.co/0wDZVDqF7Z — Rabih Alameddine (@rabihalameddine) January 23, 2018 
 
 There is a dragon’s hoard of treasure stored in her books. Read them. https://t.co/0iTrHo08KA — Benjamin Percy (@Benjamin_Percy) January 23, 2018 
 
 Thank you, Ms. Le Guin. — Kelly Sue Demonic (@kellysue) January 23, 2018 
 
 Rest in peace, Ursula K. LeGuin. The best of us don't go away having left behind only a body of work, but a body of people who have been inspired by our work. — Sam Sykes (@SamSykesSwears) January 23, 2018 
 
 So sorry to learn of the passing of Ursula K. LeGuin, one of the great writers of our time and a lifelong favorite of mine. The worlds, species and societies she created and explored will live forever. https://t.co/39vXpzG7Mo pic.twitter.com/19BYuoQYO6 — David Grinspoon (@DrFunkySpoon) January 23, 2018 ||||| She often found herself making this argument. Finding herself among a cohort that included Gene Wolfe and Philip K. Dick, Le Guin explained to The Times in 1985 that “we were expressing serious concerns through the metaphors of science fiction and fantasy, as Tolkien did.” She added, “In the days of flowerdom we were going to make the future better. Instead of a cold, sterile futuristic place full of 'Star Wars,' there was a feeling for a while of making the world more livable, more human. My kind of science-fiction writer fit right into this.”
– Author Ursula K. Le Guin, known best for her "Earthsea" series of fantasy novels, has died at age 88. Le Guin died Monday, her agent confirmed to NPR. Le Guin "brought literary depth and a tough-minded feminist sensibility to science fiction and fantasy," the New York Times wrote in its obituary of the author, whose books have been translated into some 40 languages and sold millions worldwide. In an early exploration of gender identity, one of Le Guin's most popular works, The Left Hand of Darkness, takes place on a planet where inhabitants are neither male nor female. The novel was among some 20 of the often femininist-leaning books Le Guin authored over the course of her career. According to EW.com, Le Guin also penned short stories, poetry compilations, and children's books. She was the recipient of a National Book Award, a Hugo, and a Nebula Award. Born in 1929 and raised in Berkeley, Calif., Le Guin was the daughter of anthropologists. She would carry on the academic tradition after undergraduate studies at Radcliffe College, when the LA Times notes she pursued graduate studies in French and Italian literature at Columbia University. Le Guin, née Kroeber, left Columbia after being awarded a Fulbright to study in France, where she would meet her future husband. The two would go on to settle in Portland, Ore. "The family of Ursula K. Le Guin is deeply saddened to announce her peaceful death yesterday afternoon," reads a message on the writer's official Twitter account, which had been active up until this month. Le Guin is survived by her husband, Charles Le Guin, their two daughters, and their son. The family did not confirm a cause of death, but said Le Guin had been ill for the last several months.