William Gibson is an American-Canadian speculative fiction writer and essayist. He is best known for his 1984 debut novel Neuromancer, which is credited with pioneering the science fiction subgenre of cyberpunk. Gibson's works have been cited as major influences on the cyberpunk genre, and he has been called the "noir prophet" of the cyberpunk subculture. He has also written short stories, non-fiction, and screenplays. Gibson's writing style is characterized by its imaginative and innovative use of technology, and its exploration of the effects of technology on society. He has won numerous awards, including the Hugo, Nebula, and Philip K. Dick awards.