Abstract
As one of the Australia's most prolific and popular young authors, Kate Orman's intellectual work reaches readers around the world. She has written twelve novels (four of them co-authored) and a co-authored novella, from The Left-Handed Hummingbird (1993) to Blue Box (2003). These have sold over a hundred thousand copies worldwide, and she has received widespread critical acclaim. Four of her books have been shortlisted for Australia's Aurealis award for 'Best Australian SF novel'. Orman works almost exclusively within the SF genre - specifically within the subgenre of TV tie-in, using the BBC's television series Doctor Who to provide the universe in which she places her novels. She blends, as many SF authors do, the exploration of ideas with the traditional strengths of popular culture - accessible narrative and recognisable characters. Orman uses these genre novels to explore ethical issues of some complexity: and speaking to this successful public intellectual gives us an insight into the intellectual work of popular culture. When is it acceptable to kill and what are the ramifications of such an action? How are ethical issues addressed in popular novels? What makes a character into a hero? And what is the social function of heroic fantasy?
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