The Drink Tank 341 - Handicapping The Hugos 2013 That’s a cover by the awesome Keliana Now, here’s the annual Handicapping SO, this year, there’s a lot to talk about Tayler (http://kiki-tayler.deviantart.com/). I issue. It’s the big one, typically, and I’ve been and I’m lucky enough to be joined by some great hope we’ll have more of her awesome work driving myself crazy trying to get the thing done, folks in this one. There’s James Bacon, with his in our pages! All the photos in this issue are but here it is. BAM! It was a tough road to make three nominations, writing on comics, and Best from the great Richard Man and, officially are it this year, so much to go through, but it was Fancast and Fan Writer nominee Tansy Roberts, Copyright (C) 2011-2013 Richard Man http:// also very much worth it! Lots of good stuff on has a piece on the Hugo for Best John W. Cambell richardmanphoto.com. There’s also art from the ballot this year. Award for Best New Writer! There’s more, of Steve Stiles, Galen Dara, and the return of Mr. And lots of great stuff was left off, sadly. course, and as I’ve been swimming through all Teddy Harvia! Woohoo! More on that later... Some I’ll beweep in more detail in the various the categories, my eyes are still a bit crossed sections. Every year there’s amazing stuff not put from all the work of putting this one together! Indeed! It’s the 7th consequetive year on the ballot, but there are some very important that The Drink Tank is on the ballot! This is stuff to me personally that didn’t end up on the awesome and there are so many folks to thank! ballot and that makes me Of course, James Bacon, for coming along and personally sad. making it so much more fun to do this thing! And maybe that’s Bill Burns, of course, who has made it possible a part of my personal to do this thing by providing eFanzines.com! attachment to these There’s also Taral Wayne, the finest writer and awards. Between my Dad’s one of the biggest things missing from the ballot introducing me to them, to this year. Mo Starkey, MO!, who we love and has my own personal infatuation been great for us at The Drink Tank and whose with the winners over the win last year was a very special moment. Steve years, and the road I took to Stiles, Ditmar, Taral, Hilary Pearlman, Claire the ballot and to the Rocket, Garcia, Ric Bretschneider, and so many others! I’ve got a lot of connection And there are the writers. Deb Bretschneider, with the Hugos as a general Jason Wiener, Lloyd Penney, Tangylwyst, and on concept, and to many of and on and on. We had a lot of great folks in the the specific nominees. pages of the Drink Tank and I am so grateful that Nothing makes me happier we’re on the ballot again! than seeing a friend on the And also for Journey Planet! We’re on ballot for the first time (Mo the ballot along with Emma King and Helen Starkey will attest to this Montgomery (The Gender Parity issue) and as I nearly killed her with Pete Young (the Blade Runner issue). 2012 was a jumping tackle hug when the best year yet for Journey Planet and I’m so she first told me), and seeing glad we can be on the ballot with the three of some left off, especially them, the best trio I could imagine working with! people whose work I love It’s always a good thing. and admire, makes me sad.

Photo Copyright (C) 2011-2013 Richard Man http://richardmanphoto. How Handicapped Are The Hugos? Just Because It’s Not a Hugo Doesn’t Mean their final year of eligibility. By howeird It’s Not Awesome. Sadly, just as one sign of ageing is the way that dentists, doctors, policemen and The Doctor There has been a lot of discussion in By Tansy Rayner Roberts all start to look alarmingly young, another is the Tweetland, on the Book of Face and even on The John W Campbell award occupies an some journal sites (live and dreamy) about Hugo way that a ballot of Best New Writers is more odd sort of space at the bottom of the Hugo nominations and even the Hugos themselves likely every year to be a list of you haven’t got ballot. It’s not a Hugo, people are quick to add, being decided by the popularity of the authors around to reading yet, or have not even heard of. rather than by the quality of the work. but fewer and fewer each year know why that is That was how it was for me this year, so I think there is some truth to that. the case. But I don’t think it’s necessarily a Bad I set out on an quest to find out who these [Short answer: because it’s funded by Thing™. Here’s why: New Writers are, and why I should be paying sponsorship from Dell Magazines, not the Author popularity is a spiral. An author attention to them. writes something we enjoy, word gets around, Worldcon, and instead of a Hugo trophy you get others read and enjoy it. And word gets around a tiara] some more. Once we read and enjoy, we are Previous winners of the Campbell have now more aware of the author, and make of point of seeking that person’s work – both included C.J. Cherryh, Orson Scott Card, Lucius future and past. I’m pretty sure this is how most Shepard, Karen Joy Fowler, Ted Chiang, Mary of us “collect” our list of favorite authors. Doria Russell, Nalo Hopkinson, Cory Doctorow, If an author continues to produce work John Scalzi and Seanan McGuire. we enjoy, we are bound to read it, tell our friends, nominate it for a Hugo, vote for it for Previous nominees who have not in fact a Hugo. Those of us in a club such as BASFA won, incidentally, include George RR Martin, Suzy will also nominate and vote for the works of McKee Charnas, Joan D Vinge, Bruce Sterling, club members – not just because they are our

Sheri S Tepper, Tad Williams, Lois McMaster http://richardmanphoto. friends, but because they are our very talented friends whose work we enjoy. Bujold, Delia Sherman, Kage Baker, Tobias S. So yes, Hugo nominations are a popularity Buckell, Brandon Sanderson, Joe Abercrombie contest. A contest where the contestants’ and Gail Carriger. popularity is based on the quality of their work. So, just making it as far as the ballot is a pretty big deal, right? Writers are only eligible for this during the two year period after their first professional sale, which means it’s a constantly changing

ballot, and many of this year’s nominees are on Man Richard (C) 2011-2013 Copyright Photo Zen Cho (second year of eligibility) and as a magical legal thriller) was published in maxgladstone.com/ A Malaysian living in London, Zen is mostly October 2012. On Twitter: @maxgladstone known for her short stories and novelettes. Publisher’s Weekly said: “The combination Her novella “The Perilous Life of Jade Yeo” is on of legal thriller and steam-powered fantasy may Mur Lafferty (second year of eligibility) Amazon and available free on her website1 - she seem improbable, but Gladstone makes it work A podcaster long before the rest of the describes it as an epistolary romance set in the with an appealing cast and a setting rich with spec fic world caught up to the potentials of 1920’s. imaginative details, like a priest who shows his the form, Mur began using podcasts to discuss I have to say the thing that leaps out at devotion to a fire-god by chain-smoking, junkies her geek interests and share essays with “Geek me most about Zen during my research is her getting high on vampire bites, cops who become Fu Action Grip” which launched in December gorgeous talent for naming her stories. Her part of a hive-mind when on duty, and the binding 2004, and then “I Should Be Writing,” which short story titles include “The Earth Spirit’s of divine power by legal contracts.”3 documented her adventures as a developing Favourite Anecdote” (ASIM) and “First National Max was interviewed at Diverse Pages, writer. She also began podcasting her fiction in Forum on the Position of Minorities in Malaysia,” talking about the experience of writing a book serial form. (Fantastique Unfettered) a story which was a with a woman of colour as the main protagonist, Mur’s podcasting cred led to her becoming finalist in the Selangor Young Talent Awards 2011 and also how the global financial crisis inspired editor of Escape Pod (from 2010) and running and was nominated for the Pushcart Prize. his novel: the Angry Robot podcast. Meanwhile, she made “In terms of style, I like what P. G. “This invisible world, populated by her first professional short fiction sale, “1963: Wodehouse says about there being two ways immortal, immaterial entities, was falling apart, The Argument Against Louis Pasteur” to Ann to write novels: “One is mine, making a sort of and its destruction had a real effect on how & Jeff VanderMeer’s anthology The Thackery T. musical comedy without music and ignoring real people lived their lives. It reminded me of Lambshead Cabinet of Curiosities. Her monster life altogether; the other is going right deep down Ragnarok. A twilight of weird gods. It was a short travel-guide novel, The Shambling Guide To New into life and not caring a damn …” My stories jump from there to thinking of the bankruptcy York City will be published by Orbit in May 2013, are probably more on the musical comedy side.” process (slice the entity open, chop out the not- and is the first of a series. (Zen Cho)2 workIt was a short jump from there to thinking “One thing I’ve discovered is a love of Zen Cho’s website: http://zencho.org/ of the bankruptcy process (slice the entity open, writing for many different media. I’d love to be On Twitter: @zenaldehyde chop out the not-working bits, re-wire it back writing books, but also scripts for web series, and together, tell Igor to get cranking on the lightning still putting out original, episodic podcast fiction. Max Gladstone (first year of eligibility) rods) as a kind of necromancy--and then I had Of course, being a best-seller, Hugo-winner, and Max’s debut novel Three Parts Dead the seed of the book.”4 “making enough money to live off of” are nice (described in various places as urban fantasy Max Gladstone’s website: http://www. goals too.”5 Mur Lafferty’s Website: http://murverse.com/ very real and living beliefs. I wanted to reflect personal place wherein I experienced that very On Twitter: @mightymur that in the books. So, all belief systems carry unfortunate part of every person’s life where equal weight in my novels. All are equally as you realize all the people you love are going to Stina Leicht (second year of eligibility) valid and real. The Catholic Church doesn’t die and that you’re gonna join ‘em. In that sense Stina’s first novel, Of Blood and Honey, was agree because it flat out doesn’t. In fact, they’ve it’s almost a power fantasy about power over nominated for the Crawford Award last year as categorized fairies as fallen angels. I didn’t make death, but that power doesn’t come easy, and well as making her eligible for the Campbell. The that up.”7 being what it is it can’t come without a hard sequel, And Blue Skies From Pain, was released Stina Leicht’s Website: http://www.csleicht.com/ dose of tragedy, too.”8 last year. In an interview with Jim C Hines, she On Twitter: @StinaLeicht Chuck Wendig’s Website: http://terribleminds. describes her work as “historical urban fantasy com/ with an Irish crime edge” and went on to Chuck Wendig (second year of eligibility) On Twitter: @ChuckWendig discuss the challenges of writing fantasy fiction A games and media writer of longstanding based around the Troubles, a recent era of Irish (his bios usually mention that he has contributed Tansy Rayner Roberts is a podcaster, a history which had such a devastating effect on over 2 million words to the roleplaying game blogger and a novelist living in Tasmania, Australia. a whole country, and yet was often ignored by industry), Chuck has only recently moved into Check out her blog at http://tansyrr.com/, and the rest of the world: “It meant gathering more prose fiction with novels such as Double Dead, her podcasts Galactic Suburbia and Verity! You can than one account of events — checking and Blackbirds and Mockingbird coming out in 2011 find her on Twitter as @tansyrr triple checking. It meant having locally written and 2012, and several more due to be published materials shipped to me because I wouldn’t have in 2013. He has also written the short story (Endnotes) 1 http://zencho.org/jade-yeo-free-to- any other access. It made interviewing at least collection Irregular Creatures and a collection of read-online/ one person who’d lived through The Troubles essays on the subject of writing, Confessions of a 2 http://worldsf.wordpress. com/2012/03/19/interview-with-zen-cho/ a necessity. Frankly, I had all the problems of a Freelance Penmonkey. 3 http://www.publishersweekly.com/978- non-fiction writer. Also, I knew I had a hard sell Among the Hugo crowd, Chuck is probably 0-7653-3310-0 4 http://www.diverse-pages. on my hands. I had to earn that setting with all best known for his popular blog and in particular com/2012/11/author-interview-max-gladstone.html my might. Sloppiness just wasn’t an option.”6 his writing about craft and the industry. 5 http://www.jimchines.com/2012/05/campbell- interview-lafferty/ Stina’s books also draw heavily on Celtic Blackbirds and Mockingbird (Angry 6 http://www.jimchines.com/2012/05/campbell- mythology, as well as acknowledging the Robot) are about Miriam Black, a woman with interview-leicht/ 7 http://www.sfwa.org/2012/04/an-interview-with- importance of Christianity to the history of how the talent to see people’s death the first time stina-leicht/ those stories have been told and retold: she touches them. In an interview with SF 8 http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2013/02/the- sf-signal-podcast-episode-178-interview-with-chuck- “These aren’t quaint traditions. They’re Signal, Chuck said:“Blackbirds comes from a wendig/ Convention Art Shows and Dealer’s Rooms Fourth Place – Steve Stiles Has she had stuff in The Drink Tank? YES! Number of Previous Nominations – 11 Pros – Great stuff in an area that many folks Best Finish – Second, Last year adore... What He’s Known For – Amazing amounts of Cons - ...and others don’t amazing pieces of art! The cover for Claims I love Spring! She’s local, she does Department 15 amazing pieces (and I need to buy The Lovely & Has he had stuff in The Drink Tank – Several Talented Linda a couple of piece!) and I’m happy things, in fact! to see her on the ballot. Still, there are a lot of Pros – One of the all-time greats folks who aren’t fond of having a Jewelry maker Cons – None, really. on the ballot. I happen to like her up here and Steve’s a legend. He’s in Cooperstown,

http://richardmanphoto. I think it shows a nice level of diverse kinda of has the Rotsler Award, if one of the most beloved works. of all the Fan Artists. He was even on the first Odds – 12-to-1 ballot for Best Fan Artist. Other than perhaps Photo Copyright (C) 2011-2013 Richard Man Richard (C) 2011-2013 Copyright Photo

LastBest Year’s Winner Fan – Mo ‘TheArtist Thrill’ Starkey! Most wins in category – Brad W. Foster! Not on the Ballot – TARAL WAYNE! I really don’t get that. DITMAR! In lower-case, Espana Sheriff, Sue Mason, Dephyn, Frank Wu, D West First time on ballot – Galen Dara

Fifth Place – Spring Shoenhuth Number of Previous Nominations – One, last year. Best Finish – Fifth, last year What’s She Known For – Jewelry found in

Art from Steve Stiles Stanley Schmidt, there is no one who more deserves a Hugo than Steve Stiles, but I just don’t see it happening this year. Odds – 8-to-1

Third Place – Galen Dara Number of Previous Nominations – First time on the ballot Best Finish – We’ll see What she’s known for – Illustrations for things like Lightspeed and Apex. Has she had things in The Drink Tank – Not until NOW! Pros – A fascinating style in highly visible venues Cons – First time on the ballot. Not the biggest name with Hugo voters, maybe? Hasn’t had anythign in fanzines that I can remember. I hadn’t heard of Galen when I heard about the nominations, but I recognised some of her works when I looked into it. She’s good, I really enjoy her technique and the way she paints is both lovely and disturbing! Still, it’s rare that a straight illustrator for mostly semi-pros has won. Frank Wu didn’t win until after he started to get his art out to fanzines, and I think that may well hold in this case as well. Still, Galen’s awesome and one of the most exciting first time entries onto the ballot this year! Odds - 4-to-1

Second Place – Maurine Starkey Number of Previous Nominations – 2 Best Finish – MO WON LAST YEAR!!!! What she’s known for – Covers for The Drink Tank, acrylic paintings, fun! Has she had stuff in The Drink Tank – LOTS! PROS – WON LAST YEAR! Has done lots of covers. Cons – Won last year, some see her 2012 covers as less exciting than 2011’s I love Mo. You know that. It was the highlight of my year to see her climb that stage in Chicago and accept the award. I think she does wonderful work (my favorite cover of 2012 was her Buckaroo Bonzai cover!) and she’s always out there. Still, of late, repeats are getting rarer. Odds – 3-to-1

Art from Galen Dara (originally in Lovecraftzine) Winner – Brad W. Foster Number of Previous Nominations – Twenty-five Best Previous Finish – He’s won 8 of the things What he’s known for – Fanzine art, especially detailed and awesome fanzine art Has he had stuff in The Drink Tank – Yes, though he’s done more for other Garciazines! Pros – A great, beloved artist from Texas. Cons – None, really. Brad W. Foster is from Texas, he’s won recently (2011) and he’s still doing great stuff that you can find all over the place. His stuff is great, I love it, though it took me years to really come to it. I think he’ll take it, and it’s not a bad thing. Odds – 2-to-1

The big thing to me is the lack of Taral. He’s had less art out there recently, which I understand, but still he’s one of the best artists out there. This is a diverse ballot, and I like that. I especially like that there is tradition, and a new direction. Now, Steve Stiles is the guy who I would love to have surprise me and win it. Yes, it would be great if any of them won, but Stiles is master of his work, he’s been doing amazing work at an amazing rate for ages and ages. That’s not a requirement, but when you’ve got a ballot full of people who deserve recognition for the stuff they’ve been doing, it’s something that I think about. Next year, I’d expect perhaps more Europeans. Might Sue Mason be back on the ballot in the UK? Perhaps D West (whose covers for Banana Wings and Inca are spectacular) or maybe Harry Bell. It’s fantastic and 2012 was as good as 2011 and Where can you find it – http://www.starshipsofa. I can not say it more clearly – You Should Be com/ LastBest Year’s Winner Fancast – SF Squeecast Listening To Galactic Suburbia, DAMMIT! Pros – Well-respected and widely listened-to Most wins in category – SF Squeecast Odds – 8-to-1 podcast. Not on the Ballot – FANBOYPLANET PODCAST! Cons – I can’t understand a word that one guy Geeky Girl Crafts Podcast! Nerdvana Podcast, Thirds Place – StarShipSofa says! Two Minute Timelord, I Should Be Writing, Radio Previous Nominations – 1, but also up for Best StarShipSofa is a pretty good podcast, Free Skaro, Oodcast Fanzine Twice despite my inability to parse some of the accents. rd First time on ballot – None. Best Previous Finish – 3 , but it also won Best I think they do some good stuff, but I also think Fanzine once. that where once they were the big dog, they are Fifth Place – Coode Street Podcast Number of Previous Nominations – 1 Best Previous Finish - 4th last year Where can you find it - http://www. jonathanstrahan.com.au/wp/the-coode-street- podcast/ Pros – A popular podcast by some fine folks. Cons – Bigger names and perhaps larger listenership with some of the others I’m not big on Coode Street myself. Not sure why, it just doesn’t speak to me. I really like Kij Johnson on it, and I like Gary Wolfe and Jonathan Strahan, but it’s just not for me. Go figure. Odds – 10-to-1

Fourth Place – Galactic Suburbia Number of Previous Nominations – 1 Best Previous Finish - 5th Where Can you find it - http://galactisuburbia. podbean.com/ Pros – a wonderful podcast that is serious and smart and engaging Cons – Not as widely heard as many of the others I’ve said that Galactic Suburbia is the best podcast in the world. I hold on to that statement!

Photo Copyright (C) 2011-2013 Richard Man http://richardmanphoto. far less so now. Still, it’s good listening, has a loyal win you a Hugo. following and will do OK. Odds – 3-to-2 Best Fan Writer Odds – 7-to-1 Last Year’s Winner – Jim C. Hines There was some dissatisfaction with the Most wins in category – Dave Langford with Second Place – SF Signal list of nominees this year as it was exactly the Trillions... Previous Nomination – 1 same as last year. I understand that. If you look Not on the Ballot – TARAL WAYNE!!!, Claire nd Best Finish - 2 at the stats from last year, you’ll see that there Brialey!!!, Mark Plummer!!!, John Hertz, Mette Where can you find it – sfsignal.com was something of a jump between those on the Hedin, Bruce Gillespie, Niall Harrison, Liz Batty Pros – solid and wide-ranging content. Well- ballot and those left off the ballot. Whereas many First time on ballot – Tanya Rayner Roberts, Mark produced and entertaining. categories might have a gap of a couplafew, there Oshiro Cons – Not the big names on the ballot. was something like 10 or so between the lowest SF Signal’s awesome! I enjoy it, I even on the list and the highest off the list. I like this list, Fifth Place – James Bacon appeared on it last year! It’s the kind of podcast and while not all of them are my thing, they’re all Previous nominations – 2 that fans enjoy and pros love appearing on! I think pretty darn good, and I especially like the different Best Finish - 4th in 2011 that it’s one of the top podcasts (and websites) modes and styles and personalities. Has he Appeared in The Drink Tank – He’s the that folks turn to and I am betting it will do very And I think this category has legs. It’s got a co-editor! well. The only think that stops it from taking the good list of nominees, has a LOT of possible ‘casts What’s my favorite of his 2012 pieces – His stuff top slot is there’s another on the ballot that has for nomination, and I hope it’ll keep on going. in the Before Watchmen issue of The Drink Tank much bigger nae recognition. Pros – a nearly tireless writer who shows up all Odds – 2-to-1 over the place Cons – Is sometimes saddled with a lame editor Winner – SF Squeecast who doesn’t his work justice... Previous Nomination – 1, just like everyone else. James’ stuff is so good. I love it, and at Best Finish – It won! times I have been guilty of not working with his Where can you find it -http://sfsqueecast.com/ manuscripts enough for final presentation in Pros – BIG Names having a lot of fun squeeing both The Drink Tank and Journey Planet. Mea about stuff. Culpa. Still, James has a voice that is distinctive Cons – Won last year? I’ve always been kinda and smart, opinionated and pointed, at times. creeped out by their logo... HE’s a good writer who is helped out by a good SO, I loe Squeecast, it’s a bunch of fun editor. The issue of Challenger from a couple of from a bunch of writers who I love to listen years ago was a prime example of James at the to. And it’s got a great following. With a line-up height of his writing powers. Sadly, I don’t think that includes Paul Cornell, Cat Valente, Elizabeth he’ll win this year, though he may have a shot at Bear, Seanan McGuire, and Lynne Thomas, it’s a it next year. great team and they play off each other so very Odds – 12-to-1 well. I can’t see another podcast competing with it for sheer name value, and often that’s what’ll

Art by Teddy Harvia Fourth Place – Steven H Silver much different stuff as I’d have liked. anything about Mark Reads. It’s good stuff, and Previous Nominations – 11 Odds – 10-to-1 he’s a great guy in every interaction I’ve had with Best Finish – he came in second last year him. He’s a big name blogger, and a damn fine Has he appeared in The Drink Tank - Of course! Second – Tansy Rayner Roberts writer, and I have no doubt that he’ll take him My favorite of his pieces from last year was a Previous Nomiantions – none. the Rocket. look at the great Rusty Hevelin. Best Finish – Well, none. My favorite of his 2012 pieces – That Rusty Piece. Has she appeared in The Drink Tank – Not until So, the big criticisms of the Ballot from Pros – A long-time regular on the ballot and a this issue! several bloggers center around Best Fanzine fine writer and human being What’s my favorite of her 2012 pieces - http:// and Best Fan Writer. No one seems to be Cons – maybe not as visible as he was a few tansyrr.com/tansywp/mothers-and-daughters- complaining about Mark, and I certainly won’t. years back. battle-embroidery-and-bears/ A number of blogs I’ve seen have pointed to me Last year was the best shot he’s had Pros – She’s a great writer and does really and Steven as having so many nominations and at winning. He’s come close more than once, I enjoyable pieces having out-stayed our welcome, our slots being believe he has the most first place votes once Cons – Some don’t like Professional writers on better-used by other folks, most of the names or twice. I was hoping that he’d win last year, but Best Fan Writer ballot mentioned being Bloggers of various stripes. In Mr. Hies took the Rocket. He’s a great writer, his I like Tansy’s writing quite a bit. She’s also a couple of cases, they seem not to be unhappy stuff is really well-researched and drawn almost a part of the Galactic Suburbia team. Yes, she’s a with us as getting nominated, just that the same perfectly. I hope he gets a Hugo soon. The man professional writer, but she certainly does do fan people get nominated and we just happen to be deserves it! writing (and I have proof, in these very pages!) those same people. I get that, don’t agree with Odds – 10-to-1 I hope that she’ll write more for zines! I think it, but I get it. Still, I think that this is a list that she’s got a great deal of exposure and that’ll help has some good variety. James writes for many Third Place – Christopher J Garcia her end up in the top. different places, including the Forbidden Planet Previous Nominations – 7 Odds – 5-to-1 blog, Steven writes all over the place, I tend to Best Finish - 2nd in 2011 stay within the zines, and Tansy and Mark have Has he appeared in The Drink Tank – Once in a Winner – Mark Oshiro their blogs and so forth. while. Previous Nominations – None I am terrified that Claire falling off the My Favorite of his 2012 pieces – I’m partial to Best Finish – See above. ballot is a harbinger of the future. Claire’s still the piece I did for Exhibition Hall on Jack the Has he appeared in The Drink Tank – Not yet easily the Best Fan Writer in the World, with Ripper. What’s my favorite of his 2012 pieces – His only Taral Wayne approaching her, and he’s not Pros – writes a lot... reading of Feed was good stuff! on the ballot either. I hope that Taral will get on Cons – ...not particularly well Pros – A HUGE following (He’s done a Reading the ballot next year, and I’m pretty sure Claire Let’s face it: I’m not the best writer in the Tour of the US!) will be on the ballot in London (since it’s her world. I like to write, I do it as much as I can, and Cons – Some Hugo voters might not have heard hometown) and I hope that folks read Taral’s th I love it. I don’t think I’ll ever win one of these, of him. 100 Drink Tank piece. It’s EXACTLY the kind and I’m at least a little surprised to still be on From what I understand, Mark was of writing that I hope Hugo voters will honor. the ballot. Last year, finishing up the 52 Weeks helped along by a blog post by Seanan McGuire. to Science Fiction Film Literacy, I didn’t write as I’d heard of Mark Watches, but didn’t know Major Contributors – Claire, Mark, and a lot of Odds – 12-to-1 Best Fanzine other folks. Last Year’s Winner – SF Signal Pros – BRILLIANT fanzine dealing with fannish Third Place – journey Planet Most Wins in Category – Locus with 8 matters. Number of Nominations – 1 Not on the ballot – File 770, Challenger, Chunga, Cons – Not widely distributed Best Finish - 5th Inca, YIPE! Banana Wings is probably the best fanzine Editors – James Bacon & Chris Garcia, with Pete First time on the Ballot – Elitist Book Reviews in the world that is still primarily distributed on Young, Emma King, and Helen Montgomery paper. I think Claire’s writing is the best in the Major contributors – Chris, James, Pete, Emma, Fifth Place – The Drink Tank world, which I think is backed up by the fact Helen, and a HUGE number of contributors in Number of Previous Nominations – 6 that she’s got one of those rockets for Best Fan 2012 Best Finish – WON in 2011 Writer, and Mark is probably the best fan writer Pros – Well-written material by a bunch of Editors – Chris Garcia & James Bacon who has never been nominated. I love the stuff writers, both pros and fans, on themes. Major Contributors – James Bacon, Chris Garcia, they’ve been doing and I would love to say they’ll Cons – Didn’t do well last year. Taral Wayne, Mo Starkey finish higher, but I just don’t see it happening. I really think that Journey Planet is one of Pros – A former winner, did well last the best fanzines in the world right year now. I know that sounds weird Cons – Folks seem to have tired of it, coming from one of the editors, almost 0 response. but if you take a look at the issues The Drink Tank. Oh how (http://journeyplanet.weebly.com/) mighty ye once were! you’ll see what we’re trying to do. OK, that’s not true, but I’ve The contributor list last year was seen many people note that it’s no huge, largely do to the Gender longer what it was, and even I admit Parity issue where we had nearly that it’s not particularly consistent. 50 contributors. It’s a really good On the other hand, it’s still a fun zine, and last year we got more read, and 2012 was the completion notice than any other year. Still, of the 52 Weeks to Science Fiction not gonna be enough. Film Literacy. We’ve had some great Odds – 10-to-1 art and writing over the last year, but I don’t expect to make it any higher Second Place – SF Signal than 5th on the list. Number of Nominations – 1 Odds – 20-to-1 Best Finish – Won in Chicago Editors – John DeNardo, JP Frantz, Fourth Place – Banana Wings & Patrick Hester Number of Nomination – 7 Major Contributors – Also a ton Best Finish - 2nd a couple of times of contributors Editors – Claire Brialey & Mark Pros – BIG name site Plummer Cons – Won last year. Photo Copyright (C) 2011-2013 Richard Man http://richardmanphoto. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a what Fanzines allow for can be illustrated by the repeat in Best Fanzine, PLOKTA was the last Gender Parity issue of Journey Planet. There was one to manage it back in 2005-06. I like SF Signal, an outcry about Gender Parity, going in both LastBest Year’s Winner Semi-Prozine – Locus though I don’t read it often. It’s still one of the directions and scattered across blogs and sites Most Wins in Category – Locus with 22 touchstone sites for SF readers and fandom. It’s around the world. You could go and comment Not on the list – Weird Tales, Electric Velocipede, not gonna win, but it’ll be close. on what was almost always a single opinion of New York Review of Science Fiction, On Spec Odds – 4-to-1 the matter. In Journey Planet, there were more New to the Ballot – Strange Horizons, Beneath than 30 opinions, many of them echoing one Ceaseless Skies Winner – Elitist Book Reviews another, but they did not look on one side, they Previous nominations – o were spread out across the issue. THAT is where Fifth Place – Beneath Ceaseless Skies Best Finish – None Zines have it all over blogs. Previous Nominations – None Editor – Steve Diamond Next year will be interesting. I’d suspect Been around since – 2008 Major Contributors – Vanessa, Shawn, Bryce Banana Wings to be on the ballot, and... well, How Many 2012 issue - 25 Moore, Nick Sharpe who knows. It’s the UK, so I’m hoping that one You can find it at - http://www.beneath-ceaseless- Pros – a big ol’ site of reviews with a big following. or more of the impressive English zines right skies.com/ Cons – Some have said they’re turned off by now, like Inca, will make the ballot. Pros – Frequently published with some great the campaigning of Larry Correira for it, I think names called the Sad Puppy Campaign or something Cons – First time on the ballot, Fantasy-focus(?) like that. Elitist Book Reviews is a damn good It’s a good little mag, one that I don’t read site, no doubt, and it’s got a strong following and every time it comes out, but a few times a year. It I’m thinking that it’ll take it, though it’ll be close. did publish The Book of Locked Doors, a story Odds – 3-to-1 that was one of my faves from last year. One thing that BCS shows is that magazines aren’t The harshest critics on Best Fanzine just magazines anymore, with Podcasts and the are pretty loud, including George RR Martin. like coming up and about within the magazine Some make decent points. Most point to the itself. Also, there are folks who want more SF idea that there are too many of the same names content to their Best Semi-Pro mags, so there’s nominated again and againOther complaints are that. that there are still too many Fanzines when Blogs Odds – 8-to-1 are obviously the dominant force. My major disagreement there is it’s called Best Fanzine. Fourth Place – Strange Horizons There was the re-definition movement that Previous Nominations – 0 culminated in last year’s Business Meeting that Been around since – 2000 appears to have had no effect. I’ve said it before, How many 2012 issues – 51 I’ll say it again, it’s time for a Best Amateur Blog You can find it at - http://www.strangehorizons. category. Fanzines ARE still an important part com/ of fandom, and I think the best illustration of Pros – Great magazine around for a long time.

Photo Copyright (C) 2011-2013 Richard Man http://richardmanphoto. Cons – Not the biggest magazine in the world. many issues any other year I read it. Still, bigger Cons – Not many I’ve enjoyed Strange Horizons off-and- names up above it! I love Apex, and they even lowered their on over the years, and Niall Harrison, who Odds – 6-to-1 standards enough to publish me last year! I’ve SHOULD be on the Best Fan Writer ballot one been a big fan for a while, and I’m glad they’re on of these days, is a friend and a fine Editor-in- Third Place – Lightspeed Magazine the ballot. Lynne Thomas, Jason Sizemore, and Chief. Last year was really good stuff. I know that Previous Nominations – 2 Michael Thomas, are a great team and put out for sure because I don’t think I read mearly as Been around since – 2010 a great product. Still, it’ll come close, but I don’t How many 2012 issues – 12 think it’ll win. You can find it at -http:// Odds – 3-to-1 www.lightspeedmagazine. com/ Winner – Clarkesworld Pros – Great magazine with Previous nominations – 3 a large readership and a fine Around since – 2006 editor! How many 2012 issues – 12 Cons – Not the biggest You can find it at - http://clarkesworldmagazine. magazine in the world. com/ On the ballot for Pros – Previous winner and a great magazine the third time, Llightspeed Cons – None? is a great magazine that gets I gotta give it to Clarkesworld. It’s a great nominations in the fiction magazine, it actually had an article from me WAY and editor categories. I back in the day, and it’s one of the best things to thought 2011 was better go out and read. Wonderful stories, and while than 2012, but it’s still top- not the first, was really the semi-prozine that notch. With the exception broke out and started to get nominations in the of F&SF, I thought it was the Fiction Hugo categories. It’s a wonderful mag, best magazine in SF last year! and I can’t recommend it enough. Odds – 5-to-1 Odds – 2-to-1

Second Place – Apex Semipro almost went away a few years ago, Magazine and now it looks much stronger than ever. Still, it’s Previous Nominations – 1 not got Locus in the mix anymore, which is sad Been Around since – 2005 because I think Locus does great stuff, but these are How Many issues in 2012 – five very good nominees. I am kinda bummed not to 12 see Interzone on the ballot, or the New York Review You can find it at - http:// of Science Fiction, but this list is really impressive. If www.apex-magazine.com/ I had to name 5 Semi-Prozines, these would all be Pros – Great folks, big name among the first seven or so that I’d name! authors and editors Photo Copyright (C) 2011-2013 Richard Man http://richardmanphoto. books. He does great Best Professional Artist covers, not quite iconic Last Year’s Winner – JOHN PICACIO!!!!! covers, but they’re both Most Wins in Category – Michael Whelan has 13 easily recogniseable and Not on the list – Fiona Staples!!!!! Michael totally evocative. I’m a big Whelan, Bob Eggleton, Phil Foglio, Vincent Di fan his stuff, spent a fair bit Fate, Veronica Jones of time on his site, but I’m http://richardmanphoto. New to the Ballot – JULIE DILLON!!!!! Christian not sure he’ll break through McGrath, Vincent Chong to a win this year. Odds – 8-to-1 Fifth – Vincent Chong Previous Nominations – 0 Third – Julie Dillon Best Finish – None Previous Nominations – 0 Where can you find his art - http://www. Best Finish – None vincentchong-art.co.uk/ Where can you find her art Pros – A wonderful artist - http://www.juliedillonart. Cons – who might not have the level of exposure com/ that others on the ballot do Pros – an instantly Man Richard (C) 2011-2013 Copyright Photo I really like Vincent Chong’s work, though recogniseable style before the nominations I had never heard of Cons – might not be too him. I went to his site, found some great stuff, well known yet. and spent a fair bit of time enjoying it. Now, I’m Julie’s stuff, especially not an art expert, though I try to keep my eyes her Steampunk stuff, is open, and the fact that I hadn’t heard of him amazing. I love it, and the one does make me think that we’ll not see him finish called Planetary Alignment highly, though is work is top-notch! is the very essence of what Odds – 10-to-1 Steampunk should look like. She was Artist Guest Fourth – Christian McGrath of Honor at Convolution, Previous nomination – 0 and was a favorite at the Best Finish – None. Art Show at Reno. Her stuff is so great, and I Best finish – Second Where can you find his art - http://www. would not be shocked to see her on the ballot Where can you find his art - http://www. christianmcgrath.com/ and taking home a rocket in the near-ish future! dandossantos.com/ Pros – an artist that is highly attached to a Odds – 6-to-1 Pros – Often nominated, recogniseable artist popular series Cons – Not many Cons – I’m not sure he’s that widely known. Second – Daniel Dos Santos I really enjoy Danny Two Saints’ art. It’s I instantly knew who Christian McGrath Previous Nominations – 4 one of those things where I associate an author, was because of his attachment to Jim Butcher in this case Patricia Briggs, with the art of their of the Big Three. Still, this is not his year. covers, in this case Dan’s. I love many of his Odds – 0 covers, White Trash Zombies for example, and I think he’ll win on of these soon. Fourth Place – John Joseph Adams Odds – 4-to-1 Previous nominations – 2 Best finish – nd2 in Chicago Winner – John Picacio Best known for editing – Lightspeed Previous Nominations – 8 Pros – A wonderful editor of a well-regarded Best Finish – He won in Chicago! mag. Where can you find his art - www.johnpicacio. Cons – Not Stanley Schmidt com/ I love JJAdams (pronounced Jajadams) Pros – Great artist, hugely popular, Hometown and I’m hoping he wins one of these in the near guy future, but this is a special year and one in which Cons – Won last year. I bet he’ll do OK in the voting. I’ve picked John a few times, and I was Odds – 0 RIGHT last year! That made me incredibly happy. Almost Mo-winning happy. His work, including Third Place - Jonathan Strahan the amazing Game of Thrones calendar, is Best Professional Editor – Short Form Previous nominations – 5 spectacular. He’s from San Antonio, and in Last Year’s Winner – Sheila Williams Best finish – Second in 2010 addition to that, he does great work, so I have Most wins in category – Gardner Dozois when Best known for editing – Anthologies including no doubt that he’ll take it home! it was just Best Editor, Best Editor Short Form The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year specifically Ellen Datlow, Sheila, and Gordon Van Odds – 5-to-4 Pros – does great anthologies Gelder all have 2 wins each. Cons – Not Stanley Schmidt I love Best Professional Artist, and I am Not on the ballot – David Hartwell, Liza Trombi, Best Science Fiction and Fantasy is a so happy John won last year. I love that there Gordon Van Gelder, Ellen Datlow wonderful series and he’s done a great job with are three new nominees, all of them wonderful New to the ballot – No one. it. Still, not his year, though I think we may see stuff. I think that Julie Dillon is a great addition, as it the next time we get a WorldCon in OZ, or are Vincent and Christian, and of course, there’s Fifth – Neil Clarke maybe Japan. Previous Nominations – 1 John and Daniel. I love this ballot! Odds – 0 There is one thing that I believe is missing Best Finish – 4th Best known for editing – Clarkesworld from here, and from all the ballots of recent years, Second Place – Sheila Williams and that’s representation of comic book artists. Pros – Editor of a fine magazine that has multiple Number of Previous nominations – 7 Fiona Staples, the artist for Saga, is the biggest nominations in the fiction category Best Finish – Won in 2011 and 2012 missing artist I can think of. There hasn’t really Cons – Not Stanley Schmidt Best know for editing – Asimov’s been a comics artist since Phil Foglio (2008) and Clarkesworld is, in many ways, the Pros – the only one of the Big Three to have a I think that’s something we need to think about. posterchild for the current Semi-Prozine world, story nominated in the Fiction Categories this and is one of the best magazines in the world. It year, two-time previous winner has eclipsed at least one (and possibly all three!) Cons – Not Stan Schmidt Apex, and the other Semi-Pros have come along Sheila Williams is a damn fine editor, and grabbed a larger number of eyeballs than Best Editor: Long Form though I’ll always have to compare her to they ever did before. 2012 Winner – Betsy Wollheim Gardner’s run on Asimov’s and there ain’t no And this is a year where it’s obvious who Most Wins in Category – both PNH and David one who can stand up to that. Still, she’s won a the winner is. Stan Schmidt has enjoyed a long- Hartwell have 2 pair of these, has championed some of the most run at a top-tier magazine and has always been Not on the ballot – Beth Meacham, Ginjer impressive writers in the field today, and seems in the shadow of one Voter favorite or another. Buchanan, Juliet Ulman, Nick Mamatas, Teresa to be the only one keeping any of The Big Three He deserves this win, deserved it a long time Nielsen Hayden, Betsy Wollheim relevant these days! Still, not Stan Schmidt. ago, and I can’t wait to see him walk up on that New to the Ballot – Toni Weisskopf!!!, Sheila Gilbert Odds – 4000-to-1 stage.

Winner – Stanley Schmidt Fifth – Sheila Gilbert Previous Nominations – 33 Previous Nominations – None Best Finish - 2nd Best Finish – None Best known for Editing – Analog for more than Edits for – DAW Books 30 years! Pros – A fresh name on the ballot. Pros – He’s deserved a win for decades, has just Cons – Not as widely-known as others on the retired so it’s his last chance, and is one of the ballot nicest guys you’ll ever meet. DAW is a wonderful imprint, and Sheila’s Cons – Maybe the rest of the world isn’t been a big part of their success over recent sentimental? years. Still, I don’t see her crossing over to a win Stanley Schmidt is an amazing editor, has this year! the Susan Lucci Award for most nominations Odds – 10-to-1 without a win, and has finally come to the point where we either have to give him the rocket or Fourth – Liz Gorinsky he’ll never likely win one. He’s great, and if he Previous Nominations – 3 hadn’t come up against the Era of Gardner, he’d Best Finish – She’s always finished 4th probably have at least one or two Rockets. He’s Edits for – Tor gonna win it, and I’m happy. Pros – Is the editor of many of my favorite books. Cons – She always comes in fourth... Odds – Mortal Certainty. I love Liz, she’s a wonderful person and The sad fact is that The Big Three aren’t a great editor. I’m not 100% certain the rest of nearly as important as they were even a few years Fandom sees the novels she edits as awesome ago. Sheila Williams has kept Asimov’s important, as I do, but she does wonderful things. Still, she and maybe it seems that F&SF has dropped off comes in fourth, no matter how many nominees the radar, and Analog hasn’t been the Big One there are! in at least a decade. Clarkesworld, Lightspeed, Odds – 8-to-1 Art by Teddy Harvia Third place – Patrick Nielsen Hayden I’ve had Toni on my nomination ballot for Best Dramatic Presentation – Short Form Previous nominations – 7 a number of years now, and it’s great to see her Last Year’s Winner – The Doctor’s Wife from Best Finish – He’s won twice on the ballot. I’m shocked it took a long while Doctor Who He edits for – Tor to get onto the ballot. She’s gonna win. Baen has Most Nominations – It’s gotta be Dr. Who with a Pros – Long-standing editor and beloved been a successful imprint for a long time and Whole Bunch! member of fandom. I think this’ll be the first sign that folks really Not on the Ballot – Archer – Space Race, Conversations Cons – Has won a couple of these things. love it. I mean, it’s the publisher that’s given us all About Cheating With My Time-Traveling Future Self, I love PNH and he’s deserved his wins. those Bujold novels! Paperman, The Neighbors Pilot I’ve always thought he was the best known Odds – 2-to-1 First time on the Ballot - Fringe, Game of Thrones example of a fan skyrocketing through the ranks to becoming one of the biggest names in the Well, it’s a wonderful ballot, and while it’s Fifth Place – Fringe - Letters of Transit genre. Still, I don’t think it’s this year for him to missing a couple of folks (I’m going to assume Pros – A popular series that is finally getting a win another. that Betsy Wollheim declined a nomination) and nomination Odds - 4-to-1 it has a few folks who may not have a novel on Cons – Fringe ain’t Doctor Who, and I didn’t the Best Novel ballot, but it’s strong. think it was a great episode. Second Place – Lou Anders One thing that I want to see more of is I’ve never been a big fan of Fringe, though Previous nominations – 6 recognition of smaller publishers. I’ve had Jeremy there have been some decnet episodes. On the Best finish – He won in 2011 Lassen and Nick Mamatas on my ballot over the other hand, there was a big reveal at the end... kinda. He edits for – Pyr last couple of years, and Nick did make it at one Odds – 12-to-1 Pros – Lou IS Pyr Books! time, and I don’t think we’ll see any nominations Cons – Won recently and doesn’t have a novel for Night Shade in the near. Still, Good stuff and Fourth – Doctor Who – The Angels Take on the ballot this year. I’m thinking next year we’ll see some of the Manhattan I love Pyr, it’s easily my favorite publisher European/English editors on the ballot. I’m really Pros – It’s Doctor Who right now. Lou works magic all over the place surprised that we haven’t seen many Gollancz Cons – It’s the weakest of the three nominated and I think that he’s the most impressive editor editors on the ballot. I only recently watched it and it wasn’t today. Not having a nominee on the ballot is a my favorite episode, but it was OK. Yeah, it was mark against him. the last Rory and Amy episode, and there was Odds – 3-to-1 some emotion to it, but it just felt like they were going over old ground. I have to admit, I’m gonna Winner – Toni Weisskopf miss Pond and Rory! ON th eother hand, I Previous nominations – o don’t really have the emotional connection with Best Finish – None anyone in Who (save for K-9!) She edits for – Baen Books. Odds – 6-to-1 Pros – She’s well-known in fandom and has run one of the most important imprints for a good long while Third – Doctor Who - Asylum of the Daleks Cons - ? Pros – DALEKS! Cons – Second best episode of Who on the Unicorn and the one with Shakespeare) and it’s several short films that deserved nomination. ballot. a great episode and I’m hoping that it takes it all! The problem is, they’re harder to get to see Skaro! This was a lot of fun, though the Odds – 2-to-1 (save for things like Dr. Horrible’s Sing-along Rory-Amy stuff was a bit odd. I did enjoy the Blog and things like Fuck Me, Ray Bradbury that episode quite a bit, thought that it was among There are folks who complain that this are released via the net. I see several hundred the best I’ve seen, since I never fail to catch the is the Best Doctor Who Episode category, and I short films a year, and at least a hundred of them opening episode of every season, though I don’t get that, but on the same note, I don’t think that’s are Science Fiction or Fantasy. Last year, we had often see too many of the others. And I think a bad thing. Star Trek was dominant at times, Conversations About Cheating with My Time- they managed to make the Daleks important including one year where everything nominated Traveling Future Self (you can read my review and kinda scary again. was a Star Trek episode. These things happen. at http://amazingstoriesmag.com/2013/01/a- Odds – 5-to-1 It’s not so much the dominance of Doctor Who conversation-about-cheating-with-my-time- that bothers me (and remember, I lost to a Who traveling-future-self-by-pornsak-pichetshote/) Second – Game of Thrones – Blackwater episode last year!) but it’s the lack of non-TV or AutoDrive (http://amazingstoriesmag. Pros – Game of Thrones has a lot of fans who episodes on the ballot. com/2013/04/autodrive-by-rory-odonnell/), or vote in these things. Las year, had one of the nominees denied Amelia (http://amazingstoriesmag.com/2013/01/ Cons – It’s not Dr. Who! the nomination, The Fabulous Flying Books of Mr. amelia-by-frank-lucatuorto/) or LIFELESS: I don’t regularly watch Game of Thrones. Morris Lessmore would have been on the ballot. #beingkindadeadsortasucks or Exoids or It’s not my thing, really, but this was a fascinating That would have been a wonderful nominee, Paperman or any number of other shorts. episode centered around a single battle. If this and it was a beautiful film. This year, there were Because of the way that film distribution works, was the first episode I’ve seen since the second- shorts can appear on the Festival to-last episode of the first season. Yes, I know I Circuit, but a lot of them if they want missed a lot of intrigue, and that’s actually part to make back the money they put of why I’m not a big fan of the series. Too much into them, have to avoid being on the going on! I have to say that this was a versy web. That’s a shame because it’s in strong episode and if anything’s gonna battle it short film that some of the best stuff out with Doctor Who, it’s gonna be Game of is happening at the moment. I get it, Thrones. lots of folks don’t have a chance to Odds – 3-to-1 see ‘em, so they never get nominated. The answer to that is to get them on- Winner – Doctor Who – The Snowmen line, and the problem with that is how Pros – Hugely popular Christmas episode. do you monetize that without putting Cons – There are folks who just don’t want to up a pay system, which will again limit vote for Doctor Who viewership and that will defeat the The Christmas episodes haven’t gotten purpose. the love they deserve, and this one was by far It’s a shame, but it is what it is. my favorite Doctor Who episode of the reboot. Also, no Community, no Wait, third favorite (After The Wasp & The Archer. Go figure. Photo Copyright (C) 2011-2013 Richard Man http://richardmanphoto. Best Dramatic Presentation – Long Form and it told a very smart story, though it was though it’s only one part of the three, I thought Last Year’s Winner – Game of Thrones Season 1 reliant on a bit of hand-waving, which it did with it was an entertaining movie. Also, you can not Not on the ballot – IRON SKY!!!!!, SHUFFLE!!!!!, class! Still, I don’t think this is a year when the go wrong with Singing Dwarves! THE GHASTLY LOVE OF JOHNNY X!!!!!Game plucky underdog wins it all against bigger name Odds – 3-to-1 of Thrones, Chronicle, Spider-man, Dark Knight competition like when Moon won. Rises, Chronicle, The Amazing Spider-Man Odds – 15-to-1 Winner – The Avengers Pros – Biggest movie of the year and a find piece of Joss Whedon storytelling. Fifth – Looper Fourth – The Cabin in the Woods Pros – A very smart film with an obvious Philip Pros – It’s got Joss Whedon and was one of the Cons – Some might not want to celebrate a K. Dick influence best horror films in years comic book movie. Cons – Not as widely popular as the others on Cons – it’s a horror film on the Hugo ballot I loved The Avengers. It was brilliantly the list and had a fair amount of negative reviews There is no question that The Cabin done, had actual emotional depth, and was one So, this was a really good little movie, in the Woods was a great film, well-plotted, of the best movies of the year. The acting was brilliantly directed, and super-smart. But it’s a good, the effects awesome, and the story smart horror film, and it’s also not nearly as big a film and moving. It’ll be interesting to see if Marvel as the top three on the ballot. fans can out-distance Tolkien fans. Odds – 10-to-1 Odds – 5-to-2

Third – The Hunger Games This is an interesting year, as we’ve got Pros – Visually stunning and very well-made worthy films, including two huge moies that adaptation of the book would walk to the Rocket in most other years. I Cons – some didn’t cotton to it as much as I did like this ballot, though Iron Sky isn’t on it, which I think The Hunger Games was the top is sad. The funniest, most exciting and different SF/F film of last year, and it was totally robbed SF film of the year is not on the ballot. of a nomination in the Oscars for Best Hair/ And there were a ton of Festival Circuit Makeup. I thought it was a visual feast and an films that didn’t make it either. Shuffle, by Kurt engaging film, but it’s also not one of the two Kuenne, is one of the most touching, inspiring biggest films on the ballot. and beautiful time travel films I’ve ever seen. Odds – 7-to-1 It’s worth every minute of any search to go and see it. The Ghastly Love of Johnny X is a campy, Second – The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey delightful, and well-made SF Musical that really Pros – A hugely popular franchise and a decent got me goin’! It’s this that I want to get at in the film. future. Let’s see more films from outside of the Cons – Some didn’t love it, and it’s not a complete multiplex onto the ballot. story yet. Especially Iron Sky II! I really enjoyed The Hobbit, thought that it was a good movie, told a smart story, and of this storyline as well. Still, it’s a good comic, close, but I think if we’re taking Hugo-winning, Best Graphic Story there’s smart writing, and I really think that the you’ve got Brian K. Vaughn vs. Paul Cornell... Last Year’s Winner – Digger by Ursula Vernon art is top-notch. Odds – 3-to-1 Most Wins in the Category – 3 by Girl Genius Odds – 7-to-1 Not on the Ballot – Dial H! Before Watchmen Silk Winner – Saucer Country Spectre, Before Watchmen Minutemen, Action Fourth – Grandville Bete Noir Pros – A GREAT comic, written by a Hugo Voter Comics, Godzilla, Doctor Who/Star Trek Next Pros – Like the other installments of the favorite Generation, Fables Grandville books, Bete Noir is exceptional. Cons – None? Cons – Grandville did not do well last time. Sadly, Saucer Country was cancelled this Bryan Talbot is a great artist, and year, which sucks because it was my favorite title. Grandville is spectacular stuff. It’s easily the best It was great stuff and I would have loved to have Furry Comic I’ve ever read. That’s right, I said seen so much more of it, but alas, no. Still, this is Furry! OK, maybe Angel & The Ape, but still, it’s the one chance for the Hugo crowd to give Paul amazing, and it’ll be either first or second in my a Hugo for it, and I am betting it’ll happen. voting order, but it won’t win. Odds – 2-to-1 Odds – 6-to-1 There has been a lot of talk about the Third – Schlock Mercenary Random Access Best Graphic Story Hugo, and I think it’s starting to settle out a bit. I am shocked that there is http://richardmanphoto. Memorabilia Pros – Nominators’ favorite and a fun strip no Fables on the ballot! Easily my favorite issue Cons – Hasn’t gotten close to winning yet. of that series was released in 2012, issue 124, I like Howard’s stuff, and this year I read which was just spectacular. I wish it was on the more of his work than any year before. Have I ballot. mentioned that we’re both going to be Guests And I do think it should be for a Comic of Honor at Westercon next year? It’s true! title instead of an arc or an issue, but what are Anyhow, I’m sure Schlock Mercenary will win you gonna do? one of these days, but it ain’t this day. There’s a lot of great comic stuff that Odds – 5-to-1 could be nominated, and we’re seeing some more turn-over in titles, but still, Grandville Second – Saga needs to win! Photo Copyright (C) 2011-2013 Richard Man Richard (C) 2011-2013 Copyright Photo Pros – Probably the best reviewed comic of the Fifth Place – Locke & Key Clockworks last year Pros – A good title from IDW. Cons – None realy Cons – Not as widely read as the others? I like Saga a lot, but I LOVE Fiona Staples’ I have to admit that it was hard to jump art more than is reasonable. I really think she in on the middle of the story of Locke & Key last should have been on the Best Professional Artist year, and it ended up hampering my enjoyment ballot. Still, Saga is a great title, and it should be two continents, from Norwescon in Seatle, to James Bacon talks about the Hugo EightSquared in Bradford, the Hugo Nominations Nominations for Best Graphic Story for 2012 were announced. Originally at http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2013/ Joe had already spoken about his own hugo-nominations-for-best-comic-james-bacon- favourites and had called two, while I also reports/ reckoned the same two were worthy (in the latest issue of Drink Tank, pdf here) James Bacon, reporting for us from London…. Hugo nominees for Best Graphic Story are: The Hugo Nominations for Best Comic • Grandville Bête Noire written and illustrated are…. a pretty damn good selection. This by Bryan Talbot (Dark Horse Comics, Jonathan evening at four science fiction conventions on Cape) • Locke & Key Volume 5: Clockworks written by Joe Hill, illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez (IDW) • Saga, Volume One written by Brian K. Vaughn, illustrated by Fiona Staples (Image Comics) • Schlock Mercenary: Random Access Memorabilia by Howard Tayler, colors by Travis Walton (Hypernode Media) • Saucer Country, Volume 1: Run written by Paul Cornell, illustrated by Ryan Kelly, Jimmy Broxton and Goran Sudžuka (Vertigo) Locke & Key Volume 5: Clockworks Grandville Bête Noire written and written by Joe Hill, illustrated by illustrated by Bryan Talbot (Jonathon Gabriel Rodriguez (IDW) Cape) This penultimate volume of this wonderful series, Grandville Bete Noir is a blindingly beautiful about the Locke family, and there incredible crime adventure comic in which Bryan Talbot home the Keyhouse, has seen some interesting manages to satirically reflect many of the twists and turns. This volume, is where the story modern quandaries that we are faced with, while pauses in a way, and actually goes backwards, in making art itself an important and fascinating time to answer so many questions that readers element of the story. The third in the series of may have been wondering about. Everything a fantasy alternative history world, filled with from the keys, to the ominous black door, to the anthropomorphic characters, we follow the house itself and more, is laid open to the reader. badger, Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard on Hill’s real skill is his ability to create characters his latest adventure as he goes to Paris, to help of depth that are convincing and feel real, while investigate a murder. Talbot is not only skilled Gabrielle Rodriguez’s artistic ability especially with this intelligent story, but his art is brilliant in regard to portraying the characters faces, is as his his post script that adds so much insight, fantastic, he really brings the words to life. really all encompassing in his skill at story telling. Saga Volume One written by Brian K adventures of Tagan’s Toughs, the mercenary way with wide exterior views as well as with Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples crew of Captain Kaff Tagon and their intergalactic character movement, the comic felt broad. It is (Image Comics) adventures in the 31st century. The level of indicative that just as the comic is prematurely humour is high, and there is an element where ended, as explained by Cornell himself, that it This amazing mix of Fantasy in a space setting has it is giving a wry look at the likes of Star Trek receives this honour. been a huge hit with comic fans, and obviously and sometimes the more serious with those who also vote in the Hugos. Brian of space opera, as in too serious. K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples have produced a This is volume 12 of the series, clever and delightful comic, as we watch two and includes the reaction of lovers, from either side of a Planet Vs its Moon Commander Andreysan as his war, try to escape, with their newborn child Hazel, subordinate, Sergeant Schlock, an under pursuit by forces. The Landfall Coalition is amorph alien, orders a concoction all technology while its moon, Wreath is about after seeing a Guinness depth magic. The interaction between the two main charge, so I had to laugh. Howard characters, Marko and Alana their dialogue and Tayler is writer and artist on the normal difficulties is at times hilarious, while cartoon, and his style is clean and Hazel’s narration can be very wry. The humour neat in this volume. only adds to this very neat story. Saucer Country, Volume Schlock Mercenary: Random Access 1: Run written by Paul Memorabilia” by Howard Tayler, Cornell, Illustrated by colors by Travis Walton (Hypernode Ryan Kelly (Vertigo) Media) The mythological elements of This is the fifth Hugo Nomination for Schlock Saucer Country, the way that Mercenary, a daily webcomic, that follows the the main protagonist is such an unusual character, in the world of comics and the appreciation that Cornell has for the ‘history’ of the UFO phenomena has meant that this comic has had a serious following. With Arcadia Alvarado, governor of New Mexico running for president, her personal struggle, with political shenanigans, a pretty unfortunate husband and the missing night where she believes she was abducted by aliens, Cornell had quite the character. Ryan Kelly has a very fine line and a wonderful librarian to order it from a neighboring library Best Related Work system to get to look at it! Last Year’s Winner – The Encyclopedia of Science Odds – 10-to-1 Fiction Most wins in category – John Clute’s won Four of Third - Chicks Unravel Time: Women Journey ‘em Through Every Season of Doctor Who Not on the Ballot – Sword & Laser Podcast, Pros – DR. WHO! The Forrest J Ackerman Oeuvre, Katniss the Cons – Not the best of ‘em on the ballot Cattail: An Unauthorized Guide to Names and I wasn’t as impressed with this one as I Symbols in Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games, was the other the other Mad Norwegian books, The History of the Universe in 100 Objects, A particularly Chicks Dig Comics. I did like the Steampunk’s Guide to Sex way they went through EVERY season, including, as Abed of Community would say, ‘the worst Fifth Place – I Have An Idea For A Book – The season ever.’ I did enjoy it, it was a fun read, but Bibliography of Martin H. Greenberg I wouldn’t rate it nearly as highly if it weren’t Dr. Pros – A Hugo-voter favorite. Who-related. Cons – Not easy to come by. Odds – 6-to-1 It’s not my thing, and of the Bibliographies I read last year, this was the second best of two. I Second – Chicks Dig Comics think it’s useful, but not nearly as exciting as the Pros – COMICS! LYNNE THOMAS! CHICKS! others on the ballot. COMICS! Odds – 12-to-1 Cons – Folks might not love comics as much as Let us take a moment for James Bacon to they do Dr. Who. talk about Chicks Dig Comics... Fourth Place – The Cambridge Companion to I love Chick Dig Comics, and James did Fantasy Fiction a great review of it for Journey Planet 12. It;s a Chicks Dig Comics Pros – Edited by a Hugo multi-time Hugo nominee really good read, a lot of fun and really smart, (Farah Mendelsohn) and an exceptionally useful too. Mad Norwegian is an excellent press and It’s nice to have books dedicated to piece of work that I know I’ll be referencing the stuff they do is awesome, but I think this year Comics. I am one of those comic readers who again and again. is gonna be a little different. cherishes Frank Plowright’s Slings and Arrows Cons – Academic work in a category with the Odds – 3-to-1 Guide to Comics, Paul Gravett’s All you need to know strongest popular non-fiction books. about Graphic novels and Alan Moore: Storyteller by I love this. I am a big fan of the study Gary Millidge Spencer, so it was a real pleasure of fantasy and SF, and this one will be hugely when I heard that the Hugo-winning editor hopeful to me in my studies and work. Now, Lynne M. Thomas (Chicks Dig Timelords) teamed the problem is, of course, that it’s not going to up with Sigrid Ellis to do this collection. be competitive with the really strong popular With over thirty pieces, by a variety of press pieces largely because of the fact that it’s contributors, it is a wide range of comic book not nearly as widely available. I had to get my readers, but it is also nice to read what people the commardarie that is cosplay, the feelings of Of course, Alan Moore wrote the story really think. That the contributors are mostly being part of something, the appreciation people that saw Gordon paralysed, and although he women is an added bonus as it reinforces my give. I love cosplayers and really feel people make may have also spearheaded the British Invasion, belief that women do enjoy reading comics of all a fantastic effort for comic conventions, and he himself thought, ‘...I’ve never really liked my sorts, and that women creators exist and want Erica somehow justifies my sentiments through story in The Killing Joke. I think it put far too much to be part of the business. her own experience. melodramatic weight upon a character that was With so much to choose from, it’s hard Amanda Conner is stylishly interviewed never designed to carry it. It was too nasty, it to pin point why I devoured this book so quickly, and it had considerable insight, which is hard was too physically violent. There were some pencilling in notes on the margins as I went. I was sometimes, but when I read her say that comic good things about it, but in terms of my writing, interested in every single word, even words that art should ‘make the reader understand the it’s not one of me favourite pieces.’ and I can see annoyed or confounded me. I secretly wished, story as if it had no words.’ I knew that this was that it was a dark story, that lead to a popularity I could chat with all these writers, or the ones so true. of griminess that has not always had quality, who wrote essays, in person, in a bar next to As a teenager, we used to judge the but when one reads the script for the first 12 a comic shop. Of course, I cannot speak about greatest comics by this method, is the story pages, one can only wonder where Moore was all the articles, as there are just too many, but I there, with no words, and that is the measure at, as he is one of the greatest writers of female choose some of my favourites. of a great artist. I also really loved her take on characters in the industry, which is rather ironic The way pieces were pitched, it was Power Girl, a character that I have generally been in this instance. stunning, so when posed with ‘Who do you think put off by, mostly by her slightly accentuated And Ms. Simone’s opinion is slightly at Cyclops should end up with? Jean Grey or Emma physique, but since reading this interview, I have odds with Tammy Garrison’s experience, where Frost’ Seanan McGuire goes into explaining with given it a go and it has proven worth it, proving she felt that Barbara Gordon is awesome, but real depth and understanding. The battle that is that one should never judge a comic by its cover. I wondered was that awesomeness somehow Jean and Emma both in the hearts and minds of In a similar behind-the-scenes way, Dark attributable to the hated incident that put her in the readers, and within the pages of the comic Horse editor Rachel Ediden spoke marvellously a wheelchair. is lovingly discussed, with passion, and I just was about what her job entails, and I really enjoyed it. It’s good reading when it makes me think transfixed. Alisa Bendis, Greg Rucka and Louise Simonson all this much. I had seen Tara O’Shea, who co-edited continue the rich vein of unique and considered the Hugo award winning book, Chicks Dig opinions. I especially enjoyed the interview with One thing I wondered about is that Timelords, talk about how she is a Wonder Terry Moore. I do not have a problem with boyfriends Woman fan, but also how big an impact Amanda One of the enjoyable elements of the recommending comics to girlfriends. I used to Waller (Checkmate, Suicide Squad) and Barbara book is how it made me think, and question. Gail make tapes as a teenager and more recently Gordon as Oracle had on her as a comics reader, Simone for instance wrote strongly of the effect CD’s, and it was just about sharing an interest. at C2E2, and her writing on comics, or rather of Batgirl/Barbara Gordon being paralysed. How I have recommended Preacher to many women her experience as a comic reader and fan. This she felt she was ‘chumped into buying a product who I have been with or known, as a great comic was brilliant writing, and as eloquent as she was made by people who actively loathed me and my story, finite in its sixty six issues, and in Tulip a on stage. gender’ and then she speaks highly of the ‘raft brilliant character, which to my surprise, some Erica McGillivray who is involved with of British writers’ who seemingly heralded in a have connected with and many girlfriends have GeekGirlCon, somehow captures the essence of change. shared their interests with me. So I was a bit perturbed by what is wrong with that, but then perhaps there is a cliché or patronisation that I am missing, as I apply much judicial thought to all comics I recommend to whoever the reader. But on recommendations, I definitely would recommend this book to both well-informed comic readers and perhaps readers new to the media. http://fourcolorheroes.home.insightbb.com/killingjokescript. html Kurt Amacker interview with Alan Moore. Www.mania.com http://madnorwegian.com/424/books/chicks-dig-comics-a- celebration-of-comic-books-by-the-women-who-love-them/`

Winner – Writing Excuses Season 6 Pros – A great podcast with a bunch of excellent and popular folks. Cons – it’s not Dr. Who? I am calling this the winner. It’s not only got some great names (Joran Sanderson, Brandon Sanderson, Dan Wells, Howard Tayler, and Mary Robinette Kowal, and did I mention that they’re all Guests of Honor at Westercon next year where I’m the Fan GoH?) and they do great stuff and I think this is the year they break through and win one, which is well-deserved. Odds – 2-to-1

OK, this ballot isn’t as diverse as last year, but still we’re looking at a podcast, a pair of fun books, an academic reference guide, a bibliography. While these might not have been on my personal ballot (Well, a couple of them would have been), they’re a good bunch. And that’s something that’s always discussed. This is a catch- all, and too often it catches the same kind of things. There are folks who want to have this be a book category, and others who want it to be a not-book category. I like it as a catch-all because it keeps us from going from the Oscars (the perfect number of categories) to the Emmys (WAY TOO MANY categories). I think that Writing Excuses is exactly the kind of thing that should be winning Best Related once in a while. A Podcast could win Best Fanzine, and yet not Best Related? Interesting... Winner – Mantis Women by Kij Johnson Best Short Story Opening Line - “Eventually, the mantis women Last year’s winner – The Paper Managerie by Ken Liu discovered that killing their husbands was not Most Wins in the Category – Harlan’s got four, inseparable from the getting of young.” which I’m sure he’ll remind you of! Pros – GREAT story! Not on the ballot – Maxwell’s Demon by Ken Liu, Cons – None One Breath, One Stroke by Cathryne Valente, If I love Kij Johnson’s stuff, ever since I the Stars Reverse Their Courses, If the Rivers read Spar, but this is easily my favorite of all of Run Back from the Sea by Alter Reiss, Where her works. This one, which reminds me of The the Summer Dwells by Lynda A. Rucker, Portrait Cartographer Wasps and Anarchist Bees, it the of Lisane da Patagnia by Rachel Swirsky kind o fstory that sticks with you, even if there’s First time on the ballot – None not a lot of ‘story’ to it. I love it, and it certainly stuck with me, and I came back to it again and Third - Mono no Aware by Ken Liu again. Opening Line - “The world is shaped like the Odds – Even money Kanji for umbrella, only written so poorly, like my handwriting, that all the parts are out of OK, so this year there are only three proportion.” nominees. It happens. It’s OK, but it does show Pros – Another great story from the winner of that there are a LOT of short stories out there Last Year’s Best Short Story Hugo. that folks are nominating and it goes a little thin. Cons – A Kinda Hard-to-Find anthology. To me, that’s not the big deal here. It’s the I love Ken Liu’s stories, and I really think lack of any of the Big Three. Yes, the number of he’s going to become one of the defining writers nominations for F&SF, Asimov’s, and Analog have of this period. He’s awesome, and he’s the kind been dropping for years, but this year there are of writer who makes me wish I had half the Second – Immersion by Aliette de Bodard none in Best Short Story, and only one overall writing ability of one-fifth of Ken! Opening line - “In the morning, you’re no longer in the fiction categories. I think it’s interesting, That said, while The Future is Japanese quite sure who you are.” as there were a lot of great stories (especially in is a great anthology, and I probably heard more Pros – Great story in a great venue Clarkesworld F&SF), and there are a lot more on-line venues about it than any other anthology this year (and Cons -Not the best story on the ballot now that have largely eclipsed The Big Three The Sound of Breaking Up by Felicity Savage While I love Aliette’s work, this one just (and I heard someone at Loscon refer to Apex, was EASILY the best story of the year, and didn’t connect as well as several of her other Clarkesworld, and Lightspeed as the Big Three!) The Indifference Engine by Project Itoh and works. It’s got a catchy opening, but really, I wasn’t and I’m hoping to see a bit more spread of the especially Cat Valente’s One Breath, One Stroke in for it. I can see why folks would nominate it. love in future years. great) but it also wasn’t the story I walked away I did love the idea of the Artificial Literature Plus, I’m saying next year will see a couple thinking about, even though it was the opener. Writer, though! of European outlets getting nominations. Still, it’s really good, and the prose is great, and Odds – 3-to-1 the opening line is amazing! Odds - 4-to-1 usually love. It’s a lighter fantasy, and one that Third place – Seanan McGuire’s In Sea-Salt Tears Best Novelette involves characters interacting in a way that’s Opening Line – “These are the things every Last Year’s Winner – Charlie Jane Anders’ Six neither showy nor too plain. The story has Selkie-child knows; these are the things we’re Months, Three Days a minimalist feel to it at points. I love the way taught long before we learn whether or not Most wins in Category – Poul Anderson and Heuveldt comes to the reader naturally, and at we’ll ever be chosen to receive a skin, before we Harlan both have three. no point did it feel forced as often happens with know whether our aching need for the tides will Not on the ballot – Holmes Sherlock: A Hwarhath stories about characters talking to an audience. ever be answered.” Mystery by Eleanor Arnason, The Telling by While I did wander a bit from the story in the Pros – AWESOME story, widely available on her Gregory Norman Bossert, The Ghosts of middle, I found it pretty damn touching! website. Christmas by Paul Cornell, Ninety Thousand Odds – 6-to-1 Cons – Just over-shadowed by two other stories Horses by Sean McMullen, Electrica by Sean on the ballot McMullen, Crooks by Paul Carlson In many years, this would have been a winner. The fact that it’s self- Fifth Place – Rat-Catcher by Seanan published, something that has never McGuire made the ballot in the fiction section, Opening Line - “London is burning.” is amazing. What was that about Pixel- Pros – It’s Seanan and a story about a cat! stained technopeasants? Cons – Just about the only thing I had a The fact is, I had a harder time hard time finding. with this one than I thought I would. It’s a shame that this one wasn’t in It’s a exceptional story, told with all the an anthology that had wider distribution. It hallmarks of a Seanan McGuire story, was not easy for me to get ahold of. I think and she powers through intelligent that it was as good a story as you’ll find in content, but when it slows a bit, it ties the world today, and a part of a series that me up. Still, highly popular and most people apparently love! Tybalt is pretty years this would be my pick to win. awesome and it’s told in such a way that Odds – 4-to-1 anyone can come to it and it works. Odds - 8-to-1 Second – The Girl-Thing Who Went Out for Sushi by Pat Cadigan Fourth Place – The Boy Who Cast No Opening Line - “Nine DECs into her Shadow by Thomas Olde Heuveldt second hitch, Fry hit a berg in the Opening line – My name is Look. main ring and broke her leg.” Pros – an amazingly smart and digestible Pros – An exeptional story by a story that reminds me of a couple of favorite writer of a lot of folks different stories from the Dangerous Cons – Not many Visions anthology. Pat Cadigan is a writer I’ve not Cons – Perhaps not a widely-known writer read nearly enough of, but what I’ve This is the kind of story that I encountered has been exceptional, Photo Copyright (C) 2011-2013 Richard Man http://richardmanphoto. and I think this might be my favorite of her pieces I’ve read. Where Cadigan goes terribly, terribly Novelette is the hardest length as far as right is in the foreign ways and talk she manages I’m concerned. It takes a special kind of story “...the sad fact is to make us accept. I had a few portions I had to to fill the length and not go any further. I think that I’m terrible at re-read to get it right, but it did reward me for these all manage it, even if they’re not all the kind it. The story draws one in, and the characters of thing I dig. Again, these are five very different predicting these sorts weren’t the kind that you fall in love with, but the stories from very different sources and you’ll kind you get on a level that is deep. It reminded notice that there’s not a lot spread between fifth of things” me, in a way, of China Mieville’s Embassytown, and first. Maybe I’m hedging my bets. but that might just be me... I do that, you know? – John DeNardo Odds - 3-to-1

Winner – Fade to White by Catherynne M. Valente Opening Line - “ZOOM IN on a bright-eyed Betty in a crisp green dress, maybe pick up the shade of the spinach in the lower left frame.” Pros – AMAZING story by a hugely popular writer! Cons – It does take a certain bit of mental gymnastics! This is the kind of story I really enjoy. It made me think, and re-read, and then think some more. It opens so simply, with so much promise, but moves beyond what I thought would be the initial concept and goes so much further and smarter. In fact, I can point to an exact phrase that made me give in all the way and accept Fade to White as the greatest story ever - “Better safe than assign a Husband to a woman as barren as California.” That one made me stop and think. This one flows and is beautiful and wonderful, and I think it’s gonna walk with the Rocket. Odds - 2-to-1

Photo Copyright (C) 2011-2013 Richard Man http://richardmanphoto. I’ve never been able to put my finger on why, it characters. I especially loved the cadence of her might be that she has a bit of that sense of prose characters dialogue. More than anything, that set WinnerBest Last YearNovella – The Man Who Bridged the not mattering as much as the story, but I could up the universe for me. Mist by Kij Johnson be wrong. Odds - 5-to-1 Most wins in the category – Connie Willis with It might also be aliens... Four! Here, she tells a strong story about Not on the ballot – Katabasis by Robert Reed, The exceptions; you now, those characters that are Second - San Diego 2014: The Last Stand of the Weight of History, the Lightness of the Future somehow apart from the rest of the world. Here, California Browncoats by Seanan McGuire by Jay Lake, The Moon Belongs to Everyone by there’s six of ‘em and they’re OK characters, but Opening Line - “Lorelei Tutt is a harshly attractive Michael Alexander & K.C. Ball overall, it didn’t connect with me. I think it’ll do woman in her forties, tall and lean, with scars OK with the voters, but it’s not my cup of tea. from her combat gear on her hands and elbows.” Fifth Place – The Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Odds – 6-to-1 Pros – A lot of fun and a great writer writing Sanderson great! Opening Line - “Gaotona ran his fingers across Third – On A Red Station, Drifting by Aliette de Cons – Well, it’s not exactly the biggest story of the thick canvas, inspecting one of the greatest Bodard Seanan’s on the ballot. works of art he had ever seen. Unfortunately, it Opening Line (of the Excerpt) - “Linh arrived It’s a story about COMICON! Well, not was a lie.” on Prosper Station blown by the winds of war, exactly, but it’s so big a deal and it’s so good and Pros – a good little story from a very popular amidst a ship full of refugees who huddled it’s so wisely paced. PLUS the word ‘Browncoats’ writer in the year of his biggest release. together, speaking earfully of the invading armies: appears in the title, so that’s gotta help. Cons – It’s good, but not great. the war between the rebel lords and the Empire What I really wanted from this story I Brandon Sanderson is a GREAT WRITER had escalated, and their war-kites had laid waste got: it was a look at what happens after. Seanan’s (and did I mention he’s one of the Guests of to entire planets.” great at the After, and this story really proves Honor at Westercon in 2014 in Salt Lake City Pros – What I read of it was really really that. where I’ll be the Fan GoH?) and this isn’t my interesting, and may be some of my favorite of Odds – 2-to-1 favorite of his stories, but it’s good. I read it her writing. pretty fast, which is a very good sign, and it had Cons – Well, you see, I ran out of money so I Winner – The Stars Do Not Lie by Jay Lake a couple of sections that I really loved. couldn’t buy it, it didn’t have an eBook, but it Opening line - “Morgan Abutti; B.Sc. Bio.; Odds – 7-to-1 might not have the widest of distribution. M.Sc. Arch.; Ph.D. Astr. & Nat, Sci.; 4th degree I really enjoyed the excerpt (http:// Thalassocrete; Member, Planetary Society; and Fourth – After the Fall, Before the Fall, During aliettedebodard.com/2012/12/18/preorders- Associate Fellow of the New Garaden Institute, the Fall: A Novel open-for-on-a-red-station-drifting/) and it was stared at the map that covered the interior wall Opening Line - “It wasn’t dark and it wasn’t light. so good and made me want to read the rest of of his tiny office in the Institute’s substantial It wasn’t anything except cold.” it, but alas, it’s not cheap buying all these books brownstone in downtown Highpassage.” Pros – A Nominator favorite and a damned fine at once! Pros – A great story, Jay is one of the most writer. What I enjoyed was not just the re- respected writers of SF/F out there today, and Cons – Well, I wasn’t a fan.. branding of the future, but the way that she the only story from one of the Big Three, or a Nancy Kress isn’t my favorite of writers. wrote the reactions to the actions of her Magazine at all! Cons – Larry Correia I think said it... The Hugos issues. How many times have I said based publications that are doing it! If you look Jay’s got cancer. Everyone knows that, “...would normally win this one?” in these pages? at 2008, for example, every one of the nominated everyone has heard, and he’s fighting a good Never, well at least exactly if the Command-F is Novellas were from one of the Big Three. Now, fight and sharing that. As Larry Corriea has to be believed, but you get my point. these are four published by various houses, and pointed out on his blog, Jay’s going to win. His The fact is, Jay has cancer, and I’m betting there’s one from Asimov’s. Asimov’s won five of reasoning: Jay’s got cancer and everyone knows. this will play with some voters (the fact that Jay’s the last seven, so there’s that... In fact, his exact phrasing was - “Mira Grant never won a Hugo will likely add to that vote at Next year, I’ve got a favorite already, would normally win this one because of how least a little), but let’s look at the record of the Cathrynne Valente’s Six-Gun Snow White! many WorldCon fans she’s got, but Jay Lake will last few years for outside situations. Kage Baker. win this category easily. Sure he’s very talented, She wrote a helluva story in The Women of Nell but he’ll win because he’s fighting cancer, and the Gwynne’s, and it was nominated in the Best votes aren’t decided on the actual books. Once Novella category after her death. It ran third. I again, I’ll be surprised if half the voters actually deserved better, I’d say. On the other hand, I’ve read the stories.” always thought at least a bit of Peter Watts’ win First off, that’s some view of the voters for The Island was largely based on the fact of his he’s got, no? Back in the day, before the internet run-in with the border folks. You could probably gave away many of the stories for free on find more, but those two pretty much show writer’s blogs or magazines websites, before the what I wanna impress here: it can go either way. Voters’ Packet or any of those things, he may There are a lot of factors that enter into well have been right, and that number of Half what wins an award. Personal factors, general would probably have been generous. Now, I’d popularity, a feeling of ‘It’s been long enough’ or say the number is greatly increasing. The thing the Hometown Favorite factor (which I know about awards like the Hugo is that it don’t take personally) and it all boils down to one thing: too much to get on the ballot, but you at least what will people be made to feel like voting for? have got to get the stuff seen. How many people Let me say this here and loud: This is have already read it? Well, it was in Asimov’s, a Hugo-Worthy story (though, oddly, not my and it was also on-line before, I think, so there’s favorite Jay Lake novella of the year!) and I really a possibility of a lot of folks. Just getting a wanna join the Planetary Society. What always nomination and being available on-line bumps gets me about Jay’s prose is that it rides exactly things up. Hell, Journey Planet’s website has gone between showiness and simplicity. It makes for from 1-or-2 hits a day to 20-to-30 a day since exceptional reading, and that’s why he’s gonna the announcements, and that’s without even win the Rocket. being mentioned as having a link on The Mary Odds – 3-to-2 Sue! Jay’s a friend, but I’ve slagged on my friends’ Again, a great category, I’d say it was the chances before, and in a funny way Larry was most fun reading these nominees. It’s interesting doing exactly what I do with the Handicapping to see that maybe it’s not only the Internet-

Photo Copyright (C) 2011-2013 Richard Man http://richardmanphoto. And now... THE MAIN EVENT!

Odds – 5-to-1 series from an exceptionally popular author. Best Novel Cons – Perhaps there’ll be a Seanan backlash? Last Year’s Winner – Among Others by Jo Walton The Newsflesh series was great stuff, Most Wins in Category – Robert Heinlein... meh. Fourth Place – Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance by which is a bit exciting considering that I didn’t Not on the ballot – THE GIRL WHO FELL Lois McMaster Bujold feel it so much with the first novel, FEED. Here, BENEATH FAIRYLAND AND LED THE REVELS Opening Line - “Ivan’s door buzzer sounded Mira/Seanan works some real magic, especially THERE BY CATHERYNNE VALENTE!!!!! at close to Komarran midnight, just when he with Georgia Idaho. OK, that was a bit of a Cuttlefish by David Freer, Blue Remembered was unwinding enough from lingering jetlag, his stretch (and a gift to my Dune-reader friends!) Earth by Alastair Reynolds, The Woman Who screwed-up diurnal rhythm, and the day’s laors, Any character who has memory of her own Died a Lot by Jasper Fford, The Killing Moon by to consider sleep.” death is a challenge and she totally makes it N. K. Jemesin How long did it take me – I gave up after two work. She passes between points of view and reading sessions. gives us the best finish I think we could have Fifth Place – Throne of the Crescent Moon by Pros – Bujold. asked for. There are people who want ed Mira Saladin Ahmed Cons – Meh. to go back to the FEED feeling of the series, the Opening Line - “Nine days. Beneficient God, I I tried. I really did. I could have tried heavy exposition, which is what bugged me, so beg you, let this be the day I die.” harder, maybe, but I had so much more pressing this is much more what I’m looking for. How long did it take me – 3 or so weeks, back material to get through. I just don’t cotton Odds - 2-to-1 in September. to Bujold’s writing and I especially HATE the Pros – A great novel by one of the best novelists Vorkasian Cycle. Still, she’s a big time writer and Second Place – 2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson working in the field. folks seem to love her stuff, so she’s going to do Opening Line - (I gave it back to Chuck before I Cons – Not the biggest name on the ballot. pretty well. wrote it down!) I got a copy of this through the SF Odds - 3-to-1 How Long did it take me – I got through about Outreach stuff at ChiCon and it’s a really good 150 pages and skipped around a bit later. novel. The magic that Ahmed created for the Third Place – Blackout by Mira Grant Pros – A Hugo favorite author writing a book novel is great, and his timing in how to use it had Opening Line - “People say things like ‘it wasn’t that is hyper-post-modernist a Bret Hart-type of precision. Older characters supposed to go this way” and “this isn’t what I Cons – A bit difficult for some. used wisely, a world that is every bit as rich wanted.”” I love KSR, and think that The Years of Rice as anything a fantasy author of any generation How Long did it take me – I started in September, and Salt was robbed (as was Gallileo’s Dream) would create, and all together a spectacular I think, but really didn’t charge into it until and this was a fascinating construction of a book novel. December, and finished just before the Hugo and one that feels so much more impressive The only reason it’s fifth is that someone announcements. when you look at the range of stories that are has to be, and the others on this list have Pro – The very good finale in a very popular up for Hugos this year. I think it’s distinction is circumstances that place them slightly higher. the strange ways in which KSR sees the world separate out YA novels from the Best Novel in which his stories exist. He picks tiny bits out Hugo (or perhaps it’s Novels and Novellas...) and And now, James’ Thoughts and they stand for much, much bigger things. You put them into their own category. It’s a thought, on the Ballot! are drawn into the world partly by being forced I’m not for it too heavy because it doesn’t take to drag things out for yourself. into account that the target YA audience should What a Hugo list. Isn’t it somewhat mind Odds - 3-to-2 be the ones voting on a thing like that and it’s blowing. 22 of the nominees are on the ballot not what the Hugos are good for. Still, there’s no for the first time. Now there is freshness. Winner – Redshirts by John Scalzi YA on the ballot, and it’s interesting to think of I think the novels are a good slate. I would Opening Line - “From the top of the large what could have, or possibly should have, made have liked to have seen Railsea in there, by China boulder he sat on, Ensign Tom Davis looked it up there. I would like to see more YA-type Mieville, but it is not bad and very close to call. I across the expanse of the cave towards Capt. stuff up for the Hugo, and once in a while it does think Bujoid, Scalzi and Stanely Robinson are all Lucius Abernathy, Science Officer Q’eeng and sneak on, but the one that bothers me the most very strong contenders, while Mira Grant is on CHief Engineer Paul West perched on a second, this year is Valente’s The Girl Who Fell Beneath a roll with nominations, so it is tricky. larger boulder and thought well, this sucks.” Fairyland and Led the Revels There. A really really Is Saladin Ahmed the first Arab-American How long did it take me to read – a week strong novel (as was the first book of the series) to get nominated? Pros – A fun and funny novel that appeals to and it would be nice to see it with the Hugo, but Novella – Despite Brandon Sandersons fandom in a similar way to Among Others (even alas, it’s not meant to be. A specific award for popularity and that I really like Aliette de Bodard’s if they are VERY different novels) YA administered by the Hugo Team but using a novella, I think Mira Grant or Jay Lake may get Cons – It’s a lighter novel than often wins. system for young voters to vote would be ideal. this one. Aliette de Bodard, French Vietnamese, Scalzi’s been circling closer and closer to The fact that Bujold ends up nominated I understand, again, the Hugo’s reaching out to winning the Big One, and here I think he takes every time there’s a new Vork novel kinda bugs places, or is it the publishers. it. Is this his best novel? Not at all. It’s not nearly me, just because I can not get into them at all, Novellette “The Boy Who Cast No as good as Old Man’s War, and I even preferred but I get that people love her. It would be like me Shadow” by Thomas Olde Heuvelt was lauded Agent to the Stars, but it’s so much fun, so very not nominating an Ian McDonald novel. as the first Hugo nomination for someone from funny, that I think it’s exactly the kind of thing a And that’s that. I’ve only done 50% the The Netherlands, but of course Paul Verhoeven lot of folks will latch on to. last couple of years, so if even half of these are has 3 nominations for RoboCop, Total Recall, It’s very different from 2312, or Blackout, right, I’m doin’ OK! and Starship Troopers, so the first netherlands or the Bujold. It’s gonna win, but it’ll be tight. author nominee, which is still great going. Odds – 5-to-4 Ken Liu, is amazing, if so much for his translation as for his work, and I was pleased to A good set of novels! I heard a lot of see him nominated in Best Short Story. folks saying that it was a weak slate, but I like the Dissapointed that Lynda E. Rucker,“Where variation, the breadth, the styles represented. the Summer Dwells.” (F&SF Sept/Oct 2012) or Yes, there were several books I’d have loved to “Red at the End of the World,” which was a very have seen on the ballot, but alas, it was not to be. interesting mash of SF and fairy tale (Daily SF The one thing this does bring up is http://dailysciencefiction.com/fantasy/fairy-tales/ the whole YA Hugo discussion. The idea is to lynda-e-rucker/red-at-the-end-of-the-world )

Photo Copyright (C) 2011-2013 Richard Man http://richardmanphoto. didn’t make it. But then, how many things didn’t Comic Hugo, then something must be wrong. fan. But you know, he got Avengers so good. Like make it here, and to the detriment of each other. Really. I am afraid I do feel they stand apart from really so good. For me there is a rule, and it can be changed, BUT the rest of the worthy nominees. But my opinion Hard to call. Since Looper made it, the I do think the three stories that are nominated is not a Hugo winning one. SO hard to know. biggest disappointment was avoided. have the imprimatur as required. I am sorry that The Boys, Peter Pleased to see Strange Horizons and Despite this stoic approach, I am still Panzerfaust, Captain America, Manhattan Apex Magazine in the mix. I enjoyed a number lamenting the lack of, Yoon Ha Lee’s “The Battle Projects, Hawkeye, Stormdogs all missed the cut. of items that featued in Clarkesworld, so have to of Candle Arc”( http://clarkesworldmagazine. If I pulled anyone in particular, Hawkeye would give Kudos there too. com/lee_10_12/) have to be the shock beauty of the year. Well, so grateful to the fans who voted Lavie Tidhar’s“A Lexicon of Steam Hey Chris, does Anna have a Hugo in Best Fan Writer, and I think that Chris actually Literature of the Third Reich” Nominee section? If so she should have a ‘should had a stunning year last year, and so did Claire http://lavietidhar.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/ have been’ a Hugo Nominee. (Note - I don’t Brialey and Mark Plummer and disappointed fascism-for-nice-people/ and China think Illusive Comics & Games does, they are not on the list. Pleased to see Mark and Mieville’s “3 moments of an explosion but I’ll recommend it!) Tansy there, as well as Steven, although I would http://chinamieville.net/post/31360742827/3- I enjoyed The Hunger Games, The Hobbit have thought Mike Glyer and his output on his moments-of-an-explosion all missed the cut and and The Avengers. But Looper, now Looper File 770 Blog would have been present as well. that was again disappointing. They are bloody really got me thinking. You are in Kansas now. Super pleased to see Journey Plane and brilliant stories. I had not expected Looper to be an Drink Tank nominated. I have to say I am terribly I really liked Chicks Dig Comics: A enjoyable dark story of a cold killer and also a proud of what we did last year, and genuinely feel Celebration of Comic Books by the Women really neat time travel story. It is a lovely concept, that only people who have not actually read JP Who Love Them, Edited by Lynne M. Thomas & well thought out and of course then the story would feel the ability to criticise it. It is a hugely Sigrid Ellis (Mad Norwegian Press) and you can unfolds of a Looper. collaborative work, and it is the amazing array of see that elsewhere, I supposse I am not that big You know, I wondered as I watched this contributors, who need to be looked at. Again a non fiction fan,, but I would hve to say the movie if it was written by Philip K. Dick. I know, very grateful to fans. Pleased Banana Wings is in Medlesohn/James team will be very popular and that sounds really odd, but the movie had the there, thought File 770 would have got in. The Chicks Dig Comics and Chicks Unravel skill and style of his writing, of his brilliance, Steve Stiles, Brad Foster and Mo Starkey Time: Women Journey Through Every Season of of his ability to make one wonder what is real are amazing artists in my mind, and I must say Doctor Who, Edited by Deborah Stanish & L.M. and what isn’t real, what could be going on, to Mo, is just incredible to work with, as an editor. Myles (Mad Norwegian Press) will probably slug question and there was an incredible level of Her montage of various female comic characters it out in a way, or perhaps not. No disrespect depth to the characters that is unusual in movies. last year for a JP was stunning in its ability to do to The Cambridge Companion to Fantasy And I loved that the Time Travel part has been what I needed and it is that can do attitude that Literature but Chicks Dig Comics really caught explained in straws. makes Mo such a generous and kind fan artist. me. Then again, I watched Avengers a number Campbell Award, recognising emerging of times. And loved it. I have only watched limited writers, has author Zen Cho as a nominee – the amounts of Joss Whedon’s work, but really loved first time a Malaysian author is so recognised. Firefly (was disappointed in Serenity) like Dr. If Saga or Grandville do not win the BEST Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog but was never a Buffy