I’ve just posted this year’s list of World Fantasy Award nominees to SFAW. I’m delighted to be able to report that Clarkesworld has two nominees in the lists. The magazine itself is nominated for Special Award, Non Professional, and Catherynne M Valente’s lovely story, “A Buyer’s Guide to Maps of Antarcticaâ€, is nominated in Best Short Story.
I hasten to add that I can take no credit for any of this. I didn’t join the team until January this year. However, I am absolutely delighted for Neil, Sean, Nick and Cat, and I hope they do well. Cat, as I recall, won’t be able to be at the ceremony as she’s getting married that weekend, but she’s up against “26 Monkeys, Also the Abyss†and “Pride and Prometheusâ€, both of which are fabulous stories, so it is a very tough contest.
I’m very pleased with the rest of the list as well. Lots of my choices appear to have got onto the ballot. The three books I have read in the Best Novel list are superb, and I’m looking forward to reading Tender Morsels when I can be reunited with my copy. The Collection and Anthology lists both have some really great books in that. Special Award, Professional is particularly difficult for me because I love all the nominees (and several of them are really good friends).
Then again, four of the five judges are friends of mine too, and I know they all have excellent taste. Take a bow, please: Jenny Blackford, Peter Heck, Ellen Klages, Chris Roberson & Delia Sherman
Who do you like in the best novel category?
Steven:
The only one I’m not familiar with is Kage Baker’s book. I’m going to look out for it while I am at Worldcon. Given the quality of the others, I suspect I will like all of them. As to who will win, Neil has to be the hot favorite, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Jeff Ford might get it.
Ah, this is a tough one. Without actually wishing to disappear any of these titles, I had had hopes for Lavinia, The Alchemy of Stone, and An Autumn War.
Susan: Two of those were on my ballot.