Diana Gabaldon Popular Books

Diana Gabaldon Biography & Facts

Diana J. Gabaldon (; born January 11, 1952) is an American author, known for the Outlander series of novels. Her books merge multiple genres, featuring elements of historical fiction, romance, mystery, adventure and science fiction/fantasy. A television adaptation of the Outlander novels premiered on Starz in 2014. Early life and education Gabaldon was born on January 11, 1952, in Williams, Arizona, United States, the daughter of Jacqueline Sykes and Tony Gabaldon (1931–1998), an Arizona state senator from Flagstaff for sixteen years and later a supervisor of Coconino County. Her father was of Mexican ancestry, and her mother was of English descent.Gabaldon grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona. She earned a bachelor of science in zoology from Northern Arizona University, 1970–1973; a master of science in marine biology from the University of California, San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 1973–1975; and a PhD in behavioral ecology from Northern Arizona University, 1975–1978. Career Gabaldon was the founding editor of Science Software Quarterly in 1984 while employed at the Center for Environmental Studies at Arizona State University. During the mid-1980s, Gabaldon wrote software reviews and technical articles for computer publications, as well as popular-science articles and Disney comics. She was a professor with an expertise in scientific computation at ASU for 12 years before leaving to write full-time. Novels In 1988, Gabaldon decided to write a novel for "practice, just to learn how", and with no intention to show it to anyone. As a research professor, she decided that a historical novel would be easiest to research and write, but she had no background in history and initially no particular time period in mind. Gabaldon happened to see a rerun episode of the Doctor Who science fiction TV series titled "The War Games". One of the Doctor's companions was a Scot from around 1745, a young man about 17 years old named Jamie McCrimmon, who provided the initial inspiration for her main male character, James Fraser, and for her novel's mid-18th century Scotland setting. Gabaldon decided to have "an Englishwoman to play off all these kilted Scotsmen", but her female character "took over the story and began telling it herself, making smart-ass modern remarks about everything."To explain the character's modern behavior and attitudes, Gabaldon chose to use time travel. Writing the novel at a time "when the World Wide Web didn't exist", she did her research "the old-fashioned way, by herself, through books." Later, Gabaldon posted a short excerpt of her novel on the CompuServe Literary Forum, where author John E. Stith introduced her to literary agent Perry Knowlton. Knowlton represented her based on an unfinished first novel, tentatively titled Cross Stitch. Her first book deal was for a trilogy, the first novel plus two then-unwritten sequels. Her US publishers changed the first book's title to Outlander, but the title remained unchanged in the UK According to Gabaldon, her British publishers liked the title Cross Stitch, a play on "a stitch in time"; however, the American publisher said it "sounded too much like embroidery" and wanted a more "adventurous" title. When her second book was finished, Gabaldon resigned her faculty position at Arizona State University to become a full-time author.As of 2021, the Outlander series comprises nine published novels. The ninth installment, Go Tell the Bees That I am Gone, was published on November 23, 2021. Gabaldon also published The Exile (An Outlander Graphic Novel) in 2010. The Lord John series are additional books in the Outlander series rather than a spin-off series, centering on a secondary character from the original series. Gabaldon announced in September 2021 that she is working on the tenth Outlander series book, which is possibly the last. Personal life Gabaldon lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, with her husband Doug Watkins, with whom she has three adult children. Her son, Sam Sykes, is also a fantasy writer. Gabaldon is a Roman Catholic. Bibliography Outlander series The Outlander series focuses on 20th-century nurse Claire Randall, who time travels to 18th-century Scotland and finds adventure and romance with the dashing James Fraser. Set in Scotland, France, the West Indies, England and North America, the novels merge multiple genres, featuring elements of historical fiction, romance, mystery, adventure and science fiction/fantasy. Main series Outlander (1991) (published in the UK and Australia as Cross Stitch) Dragonfly in Amber (1992) Voyager (1993) Drums of Autumn (1996) The Fiery Cross (2001) A Breath of Snow and Ashes (2005) An Echo in the Bone (2009) Written in My Own Heart's Blood (2014) Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone (2021)Short works "A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows" (2010), a short story in the anthology Songs of Love and Death. Later collected in A Trail of Fire (2012), and Seven Stones to Stand or Fall (2017). The Space Between (2013), a novella in the anthology The Mad Scientist's Guide to World Domination. Later collected in A Trail of Fire (2012), and Seven Stones to Stand or Fall (2017). Virgins (2013), a novella in the anthology Dangerous Women, later collected in Seven Stones to Stand or Fall (2017). "Past Prologue" (2017), a short story written with Steve Berry and published in the anthology MatchUp. The story acts as a crossover between the Outlander franchise and Berry's Cotton Malone series, featuring the characters Cotton Malone and Jamie Fraser. A Fugitive Green (2017), a novella published in the Gabaldon collection Seven Stones to Stand or Fall.Related The Outlandish Companion (1999), a guide to the Outlander series containing synopses, a character guide, and other notes and information; revised and updated as The Outlandish Companion (Volume One) (2015) The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel (2010) The Outlandish Companion (Volume Two) (2015) "Vengeance Is Mine", Outlander season 2 episode (June 18, 2016) "Journeycake", Outlander season 5 episode (May 3, 2020)Lord John series The Lord John series is a sequence of novels and shorter works that center on Lord John Grey, a recurring secondary character in Gabaldon's Outlander series. The spin-off series currently consists of five novellas and three novels, which all take place between 1756 and 1761, during the events of Gabaldon's Voyager. They can be generally categorized as historical mysteries, and the three novels are shorter and focus on fewer plot threads than the main Outlander books. Lord John and the Private Matter (2003), novel Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade (2007), novel The Scottish Prisoner (2011), novelNovellas Lord John and the Hellfire Club (1998), novella first published in the anthology Past Poisons, edited by Maxim Jakubowski Lord John and the Succubus (2003), novella first published in Legends II, edited by Robert Silverberg Lord John and the Haunted Soldier (2007), novella published in Lord John and the Ha.... Discover the Diana Gabaldon popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Diana Gabaldon books.

Best Seller Diana Gabaldon Books of 2024

  • The Rock synopsis, comments

    The Rock

    Monica McCarty

    New York Times bestselling author Monica McCarty continues her Highland Guard series in this eleventh steamy historical romance set against the sweeping backdrop of the Scottish Hi...

  • The Exile synopsis, comments

    The Exile

    Diana Gabaldon & Hoang Nguyen

    Diana Gabaldon’s brilliant storytelling has captivated millions of readers in her bestselling and awardwinning Outlander saga. Now, in her firstever graphic novel, Gabaldon gives r...

  • Finding Fraser synopsis, comments

    Finding Fraser

    kc dyer

    “Jamie Fraser would be Deeply Gratified at having inspired such a charmingly funny, poignant storyand so am I.”Diana Gabaldon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the...

  • An Echo in the Bone synopsis, comments

    An Echo in the Bone

    Diana Gabaldon

    NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER The seventh book in Diana Gabaldon’s acclaimed Outlander saga, the basis for the Starz original series. “All you’ve come to expect from Gabaldon . . . ad...

  • Dangerous Women synopsis, comments

    Dangerous Women

    George R.R. Martin & Gardner Dozois

    The World Fantasy Awardwinning collection of stories featuring the best and the bravest females across genre fiction.All new and original to this volume, the 21 stories in Dangerou...

  • Dragonfly in Amber synopsis, comments

    Dragonfly in Amber

    Diana Gabaldon

    BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Diana Gabaldon's Voyager. From the author of Outlander... a magnificent epic that once again sweeps us back in time to the drama and p...

  • A Secret Scottish Escape synopsis, comments

    A Secret Scottish Escape

    Julie Shackman

    Escape to the beautiful Scottish Highlands for the perfect heartwarming and feel good cosy romance!When Scotland’s sleepiest hamlet becomes the centre of hot gossip, Layla Devlin f...

  • Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade synopsis, comments

    Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade

    Diana Gabaldon

    NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER   Diana Gabaldon, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Outlander saga, brings back one of her most compelling characters: Lord John Grey. ...

  • The Forgotten Kingdom synopsis, comments

    The Forgotten Kingdom

    Signe Pike

    From the author of The Lost Queen, hailed as “Outlander meets Camelot” (Kirsty Logan, the author of The Gloaming) and “The Mists of Avalon for a new generation” (Linnea Hartsuyker,...

  • If You Deceive synopsis, comments

    If You Deceive

    Kresley Cole

    From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of If You Dare and If You Desire comes the third in the MacCarrick Brothers series featuring a handsome and mysterious Highlander. Eth...

  • The Lord John Series 4-Book Bundle synopsis, comments

    The Lord John Series 4-Book Bundle

    Diana Gabaldon

    Diana Gabaldon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Outlander series, delivers captivating tales of history, intrigue, and suspense that feature one of her most popular cha...

  • Forbidden Realm synopsis, comments

    Forbidden Realm

    Diana Cosby

    “Diana Cosby is superbly talented.”Cathy Maxwell, New York Times bestselling author  For the price of honor, he must walk away from the woman he loves… Orphaned young, a child...

  • The Protector synopsis, comments

    The Protector

    Allison Butler

    The Scottish Highlands meet The Bachelorette in this new historical romance from Allison Butler…Heiress of clan Gordon, Mairi has been given a gift: the choice of her husband. Her ...

  • If You Desire synopsis, comments

    If You Desire

    Kresley Cole

    In this sexy historical romance, the second of the Dark Heart series, a Highlander with a dark past returns to the place he fled long ago to protect a woman he once loved from dang...

  • The Rogue synopsis, comments

    The Rogue

    Allison Butler

    A charming rogue, a woman with responsibilities, a highland romance you won't forget...Lowlander Adair has more charm and wit than any one man has a right to, despite being abandon...

  • A Knight in Shining Armor synopsis, comments

    A Knight in Shining Armor

    Jude Deveraux

    New York Times bestselling author Jude Deveraux will capture your heart with signature classic novel, a time travel romance featuring a presentday heroine and a dashing hero from t...

  • Warriors synopsis, comments

    Warriors

    George R.R. Martin & Gardner Dozois

    From George R. R. Martin's Introduction to Warriors: "People have been telling stories about warriors for as long as they have been telling stories. Since Homer first sang the wrat...

  • Once a Laird synopsis, comments

    Once a Laird

    Mary Jo Putney

    Bridgerton and Outlander fans as well as readers of Mary Balogh, Grace Burrowes, and Stephanie Laurens won’t want to miss this thrilling and clever new love story of a wandering la...

  • Voyager synopsis, comments

    Voyager

    Diana Gabaldon

    NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER The third book in Diana Gabaldon’s acclaimed Outlander saga, the basis for the Starz original series.“Triumphant . . . Her use of historical detail and a...

  • Days of Gold synopsis, comments

    Days of Gold

    Jude Deveraux

    Fans of Julie Garwood and Johanna Lindsey can get swept away with this evocative and charming historical romance in the Edilean series from the New York Times bestselling author of...

  • Seven Stones to Stand or Fall synopsis, comments

    Seven Stones to Stand or Fall

    Diana Gabaldon

    NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER  A magnificent collection of Outlander short fictionincluding two neverbeforepublished novellasfeaturing Jamie Fraser, Lord John Grey, Master Raymond...

  • The Scottish Prisoner synopsis, comments

    The Scottish Prisoner

    Diana Gabaldon

    “This could be the worthy Lord John Grey’s breakout novel, as readers are treated to large dollops of Outlander hero Jamie Fraser.”Booklist   A captivating return to the world...

  • Legends II synopsis, comments

    Legends II

    Robert Silverberg, Terry Brooks, Diana Gabaldon, Neil Gaiman, George R.R. Martin, Anne McCaffrey, Robin Hobb, Orson Scott Card, Tad Williams, Raymond E. Feist & Elizabeth Haydon

    Fantasy fans, rejoice! Seven years after writer and editor Robert Silverberg made publishing history with Legends, his acclaimed anthology of original short novels by some of the g...

  • The Fiery Cross synopsis, comments

    The Fiery Cross

    Diana Gabaldon

    NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER The fifth book in Diana Gabaldon’s acclaimed Outlander saga, the basis for the Starz original series. “A grand adventure written on a canvas that probes...

  • Outlander synopsis, comments

    Outlander

    Diana Gabaldon

    #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER NOW A STARZ ORIGINAL SERIES Unrivaled storytelling. Unforgettable characters. Rich historical detail. These are the hallmarks of Diana Gabaldon’s...

  • Outlander Kitchen synopsis, comments

    Outlander Kitchen

    Theresa Carle-Sanders

    Take a bite out of Diana Gabaldon’s New York Times bestselling Outlander novels, the inspiration for the hit Starz series, with this immersive official cookbook from Outl...

  • Fled synopsis, comments

    Fled

    Meg Keneally

    The outlaw who became a folk hero for her courage and her daring escape by sea: “An epic story of love and liberty" (Elizabeth Cobbs, bestselling author of The Hamilton Affair...

  • MatchUp synopsis, comments

    MatchUp

    Lee Child

    This “highly recommended” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) collection edited by New York Times bestselling author Lee Child pairs the beloved characters of twentytwo internation...

  • Drums of Autumn synopsis, comments

    Drums of Autumn

    Diana Gabaldon

    NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER The fourth book in Diana Gabaldon’s acclaimed Outlander saga, the basis for the Starz original series. “Unforgettable characters . . . richly embroi...

  • Down These Strange Streets synopsis, comments

    Down These Strange Streets

    George R.R. Martin, Gardner Dozois, Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs, Diana Gabaldon, Simon R. Green, S.M. Stirling & Carrie Vaughn

    In this collection of urban fantasy stories, editors George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois explore the places where mystery waits at the end of every alley and where the things th...

  • The Scribe of Siena synopsis, comments

    The Scribe of Siena

    Melodie Winawer

    “Like Outlander with an Italian accent.” Real Simple “A detailed historical novel, a multifaceted mystery, and a moving tale of improbable love.” Publishers Weekly, starred review ...

  • Lord John and the Hand of Devils synopsis, comments

    Lord John and the Hand of Devils

    Diana Gabaldon

    “Deftly written, pleasantly concise stories about the ghosts of desire, each with its own discrete merits . . . [Diana] Gabaldon’s strengths are on full display.”Kirkus Reviews Dia...

  • Past Prologue synopsis, comments

    Past Prologue

    Diana Gabaldon & Steve Berry

    Where should we go? All that we knew is gone, and all that we have is each other…In this short story from the thrilling anthology MatchUp, bestselling authors Diana Gabaldon and St...

  • A Breath of Snow and Ashes synopsis, comments

    A Breath of Snow and Ashes

    Diana Gabaldon

    #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER The sixth book in Diana Gabaldon’s acclaimed Outlander saga, the basis for the Starz original series.“The large scope of the novel allows Gabaldon to ...

  • A Scottish Highland Surprise synopsis, comments

    A Scottish Highland Surprise

    Julie Shackman

    Discover the secrets and surprises that the scenic Scottish town of Briar Glen has to offer…‘A warm beautiful read’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐NetGalley Reviewer‘A great story . . . a happy feel good re...

  • The Highland Duke synopsis, comments

    The Highland Duke

    Amy Jarecki

    RT Reviewers' Choice Award winner She'll put her life on the line for him . . . When Akira Ayres finds the brawny Scot with a musket ball in his thigh, the healer has no qualms ...

  • Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone synopsis, comments

    Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone

    Diana Gabaldon

    #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Diana Gabaldon returns with the “vast and sweeping” (The Washington Post) newest novel in the epic Outlander series.War leaves nobody alone. Neit...

  • The Ghost synopsis, comments

    The Ghost

    Monica McCarty

    An undercover warrior and her sworn enemy play a seductive game of catandmouse in New York Times bestselling author Monica McCarty’s sexy new Highland Guard novel.Joan Comyn swore ...

  • Lord John and the Private Matter synopsis, comments

    Lord John and the Private Matter

    Diana Gabaldon

    NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER  Diana Gabaldon weaves a dazzling tale of history, intrigue, and suspense in this first novel featuring one of her most popular characters from the O...