The Drink Tank Issue 207

Handicapping the Hugos First off, thanks. I’ll be saying Joyce, John Toon, Anders, Nic Farey, that for the rest of my life, even if I Kat Templeton, Peter Sullivan, Peter Best Fan Artist never get another accolade of any form. Weston, Niall Harrison, Kevin Standlee, - Brad Foster Why? Because everyone has been too Cheryl Morgan, Bryan and Mette, Liz Last Year’s Winner - Steve Stiles kind to me to ever really be expressed. Batty, all the wonderful people I met Who’s Not on the List (who has said that he declined hoping I’ve got the smallest audience of any at Eastercon and all the wonderful that Taral would win), Dan Steffan, zine that’s been on the Hugo ballot people who came and hung around Craig Smith, Teddy Harvia, Kurt in the last couple of decades, quite at WorldCon, BayCon and every other Erichsen, Marc Shirmeister, Genevieve, possibly longer. I’m just lucky that I Con we’ve been to. And of course, the Mo Starkey, Ditmar, Alison Scott have a ton of friends who are willing Lovely and Talented Linda. I love you, to nominate me and that’s kept me on darlin’! th the ballot and has made me a terribly So, now what? Well, here’s this 5 Place- Alan F. Beck Pros- A popular artist around art happy little boy. I thank y’all for all year’s version of what I thought was shows. you’ve done for me. last year’s best issue. I’ve been lucky Cons- Not the biggest name on the I should say specific thanks enough to have a bunch of good folks ballot when it comes to International to Steve Green, Dann Lopez. James (who know what they’re talking about recognition. He’s not the Fan Guest of Bacon, Taral Wayne, Steven Silver, far better than I do) write in and give Honor. Lloyd Penney, Eric Mayer, Kevin Roche, me their thoughts on the various Andy Trembley, Ken and Jerry, John categories. I’m also not commenting on I really like Beck’s stuff, and this is the Purcell, Mo Starkey, Genevieve, Leigh the Campbell Award because it’s not first time he’s made the ballot. I also Ann Hildebrand, Espana Sheriff, Frank a Hugo. Perhaps I’ll do a Calling the have to give it up to him for having Wu, Brianna SpaceKat-Wu, John Campbell Award issue. made the ballot and being another ‘The Rock’ Coxon, John ‘The Human BArea resident. He’s a regular in the Tornado’ Hertz, Jason Schachat, BayCon Art Show. Still, I don’t think Kate Kelton, Tom Becker, Jean he has the overall recognition, plus, Martin, David Moyce, Kurt Erichsen, this year ain’t going to be normal for Milt Stevens, Ed Green, Miko, Steve this category. Stiles, Evelyn, Cousin Claire, Mark Plummer, Randy Byers, Arnie and Odds- 10-to-1 even more visible than he has been 4th Place- Sue Mason Odds- 7-to-1 in recent years. He’s a superstar fan Pros- Very popular British artist who artist and he’s never won the Rocket. appears in well-loved fanzines. Has 2nd Place- Brad Foster This is his year, and if you don’t believe won two of the Rockets in the last 6 Pros- Last year’s winner who has me, go and check out The Drink Tank years. continued dong great stuff all over 188 where he sent me tons of art and Cons- Profile is slightly lower this year fanzines. He’s also designed the mascot wrote about them. He’s a deserving than it has been in the last few. Not for the Reno bid, had one of the most winner, no question, and I’m nearly the Fan Guest of Honor. gorgeous covers of the year and has certain that it’ll be by a big margin. been doing it all for years and years. Sue Mason is a wonderfully talented Cons- Is NOT the Fan Guest of Honor. Odds- 4-to-5. artist. I think she does some good stuff and has been the Best Fan Artist Almost any other year, Brad would be The names not on the list of nominees before. She may well be the most at least 3-to-1, but this year is weird. is interesting as what happens next recognized British Fan Artist. I just Brad’s color work has really taken a year? Will Alan F. Beck be back if don’t see it happening this year. lot of notice and he’s been everywhere. Stiles comes back? Will Frank Wu be Still, weird year. He’s had stuff in The replaced by Brianna? Will Taral defend Odds- 8-to-1 Drink Tank and Claims Department with the Hugos in Australia? It has me and I think he’ll have something in the all a-tingle just thinking about it. Of 3rd Place- Frank Wu next Journey Planet. Then again, it course, I’m sorta over-looking this one Pros- Three-time winner who declined might be easier to list what Fanzines because I’m pretty sure that Taral will last year and is back this year. he HASN’T had pieces in. be winning. Cons- Hasn’t been as active as he was over the previous decade or so. Ain’t Odds- 6-to-1 the Fan Guest of Honor. Winner- Taral Wayne Everyone knows that Frank Wu is one Pros- He’s the Fan Guest of Honor and of the reasons that The Drink Tank he’s been doing fantastic stuff, both has managed to do so well. Frank was written and drawn, all over the place the first artist to give me art, one of the as well as winning the Rotsler Award. most frequent contributors of art and Cons- None. writing. Sadly, this isn’t going to be his year, I think. Most of his work that’s Taral is the Fan Guest of Honor at shown up this year has been dual Anticipation and that might make him covers with Brianna, including some of seem like he’ll win simply because of the best of the year for The Drink Tank that. Well, that’s not at all fair because and File 770. Taral’s done great stuff and has been Pros- He’s been writing fantastic stuff for zines by himself and others for Best Fan Writer decades. Last Year’s Winner- John Scalzi Cons- His writing is not as widely read Not on the Ballot- Taral Wayne, Lloyd as the Top 2’s. Penney, James Bacon, Frank Wu, Claire Brialey, Mark Plummer, Peter John Hertz is a fannish legend. If there Weston, Leigh Ann Hildebrand, Jay was a Fandom Hall of Fame, he’d be lake, John Scalzi (who campaigned a first Ballot Sure-Thing! I love John, not to be on the ballot), Niall Harrison, and his piece on the back of Banana John Purcell, Bruce Gillespie. Wings 36 is one of my faves from 2008. His Haiku tend to be awesome. If he th 5 Place- Chris Garcia had a regular Gen-ishzine, I think he’d 4th Place- Steven Silver Writing in The Drink Tank?- Less and finish higher. It’s good to see him on Writing in the Drink Tank? Yep, a less, thankfully... the ballot again. couple of great articles including a really good one on Ghengis Khan. Pros- Has written in various fanzines Odds- 6-to-1 around the World, written Locs to most zines and has even written a TAFF Pros- Well-liked dude who writes in a lot of high-profile areas. Also has a report. 2nd Place- Cheryl Morgan nominated zine, Argentus. Cons- Chris who? Seriously, far and Writing in the Drink Tank? Yes, a Cons- Not as big a name as the Top away the least known member of the couple of pieces including a fine piece Three on this list. nominees list. Not actually a great of Faan Fiction in early 2008. writer. This is one of those things. Silver will Pros- Has been on the ballot a few probably win this category one of these OK, there’s something to be said for times and came very close. Has one of years, but not this year. He does really honesty, and honestly, I’m 100% the most widely read blogs in fandom. good stuff, but he’s not all over the certain I’ll never win one of these things Used to do Emerald City, which I still place. I love getting to run pieces from until the year after I die. I’ll be in miss. Steven and I’m hoping that he’ll send decent company if that’s the case. This Cons- Emerald City isn’t around more my way. was not my best year. I know it, you and that’s why she came so close to know it, so let’s admit it. I was much winning. better and much more active in 2007. Odds- 8-to-1 It’s OK, I don’t mind. I’m hoping that Cheryl’s fantastic. I love her stuff, 3rd Place- John Hertz I will beat No Award. If I manage that, and she’s written some of the most Writing in The Drink Tank? Yes, and I’ll be happy. insightful con reports ever. There are poems and such in various other folks who say that Cheryl’s take on Odds- 20-to-1 Garciazines. Torcon in 2003 was the best piece of in this category. There are many, many fan writing so far this decade. That’s fine fanwriters out there: Mark a big statement, but I have to say that Plummer, Claire Brialey, Peter Weston, Best Fanzine I’m almost in that camp myself. and Andy Hooper are names which Last Year’s Winner- Mike Glyer’s File stood out in paper fanzines this year, 770 Odds- 4-to-1 for a start. Then there’s the Not on the list- PLOKTA (and this was many fan writers producing great work a serious surprize), Prolapse/Relapse, online, on blogs and journals: eI, Askance, Steam Engine Time, Winner- Dave Langford Niall Harrison, Abigail Nussbaum, Procrastinations, Science Fiction San Writing in The Drink Tank- A couple of Graham Sleight, James Nicoll, Jo Francisco, Chunga pieces, notably a fine Eastercon report. Walton, to name just a few. I would love th to see a few of these new names 6 Place- The Drink Tank Pros- He’s won a metric shitload of pop up in this category. Meanwhile I Amount of Chris Garcia Material- Quite Hugos and Ansible is still the most think this is once again Dave a bit. widely read zine around. Langford’s category to lose. Cons- He’s won a metric shitload of Liz has a point. All of Scalzi’s Pros- A fun zine that has had a few Hugos already. posts did not bring in a first-time good issues. nominee, which would be nice (and I Cons- By far the least-read of the zines He won 19 of these in a row. I honestly wouldn’t even mind getting bumped on the list. Not terribly polished or do hope that he’ll step-back and deny for someone like Lloyd Penney, Niall, flashy. a nomination some year, but until he Mark or Claire. Still, I have to say that does, he’s going to keep winning this Langford’s gonna keep on winning. Again, it’s not the best year for The award. And I don’t know if I can say Drink Tank (and someday I should he doesn’t deserve it. He’s done some figure out if it’s Drink Tank, the Drink great writing. I like him, too. He’s a Tank or The Drink Tank) though the nice guy and one of the best parts of Handicapping the Hugos issue and the my TAFF trip was meeting the guy. I issue of Taral Wayne’s art were both almost got a contact Hugo. strong. I still pride myself on using stuff from folks who don’t show up Odds- 2-to-1 many other places. The issues right around Eastercon were both decent Let us start with the thoughts of Liz as well. Still, nothing like The Corset Batty! issue of The Cocktail issue that both I was hoping that after Scalzi’s dropped in 2007. win, and his excellent posts exhorting the nominators to pick someone else Odds- 10-to-1 this year, that we’d have a shakeup 5th Place- Argentus Banana Wings is fantastic. I love it, Challenger is a lot of fun. I love it and Amount of writing from Chris Garcia- A one of my three faves and I’m totally I’m happy with the things that I’ve had piece of my TAFF report was in it. proud of the fact that I’ve had writing in it. Last year, I think that Challenger in there. In a perfect world, this would was right up there with the best of Pros- A good zine that was second in be winning the Hugo every other year them. I think that 2007 was the best first place votes last year, which are or so (kinda like The Novas or FAAn year for Challenger, but 2008 was a the only things that count. Awards, of which BW has won several great year too. In the next couple of Cons- Not as wide a distribution as of both). Still, I don’t think it’s got a years, I’m betting that Challenger will others on the list and it only comes out wide-enough readership to win the finally win it all. once a year. thing. Odds- 4-to-1 Argentus is a popular zine. It’s well Odds- 7-to-1 made, has good art and has some Second Place- Electric Velocipede really strong writing, including some Writing from Chris Garcia- None. I gave stuff from folks who aren’t regularly in up writing fiction ages ago. fanzines. Still, only coming out once a year makes it slightly harder to win. I Pros- A Fiction zine that pays think it’ll do really well next year in OZ. contributors and only barely avoids being a Semi-prozine. Some really good Odds- 6-to-1 fiction in there too. Cons- It’s a fiction zine in a category where that hasn’t traditionally won. 4th Place- Banana Wings Still, probably the widest read of the Writing by Chris Garcia? A bunch, zines on the ballot. including a portion of my TAFF trip that I thought was one of the best This is a big deal. With the Best Semi- things of mine that saw print, probably Prozine likely going away, it’s likely because Mark and Claire can edit me 3rd Place- Challenger that we’ll see more of them popping better than just about anyone. Writing by Chris Garcia? I’ve certainly back into Best Fanzine. I would fully had several pieces, but I’m not sure expect Ansible to be back. I’m also Pros- Probably the best written I’ve had any in 2008. pretty sure that’ll spell the end of The fanzine in the world right now. Strictly Drink Tank on the ballot. Still, EV is awesome. Pros- A great fanzine with great writing good at what it does. I’d say that it will Cons- Not on the Web, which I swear and some phenomenal art. come very close, but not take the ring would put it over the top into the Cons- nothing big. Maybe smaller this pass-by. winning realm. readership than the top two. Odds- 2-to-1 Winner- File 770 common with Clarkesworld Magazine, will likely return to the Best Fanzine Writing by Chris Garcia- Yep, LoCs and Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet, or category. an article on Presenting a Hugo. Helix SF, all of which have been Of course, I’m a big fan of nominated in the semiprozine category Banana Wings, too. You’ll find some Pros- A long-running zine with a great in recent years. The solution I would of the best writing in the world there, history of winning. Had some strong favour is a complete revamp of the but File 770 is very popular and I contributors, including three of the five magazine categories, possibly to the think it’ll take it. Of course, I’m always Hugo nominees. suggestion I saw to split it into wondering why PLOKTA wasn’t on the Cons- None. fanzine, fiction ‘zine, and newszine, but ballot. They had a good year, put out I’m sure that would bring its two or three issues, I think. It’s odd to File 770 is awesome. Over the last 30 own problems. see the zine that came in second last years, it’s won 6 or so times. That’s Back to the actual nominees year completely fall off the ballot. 1/5 of the time. It won last year, and rather than griping about the Hugo it’ll win again this year because it’s categories, I am pleased as ever to see still great. Well-written, wonderfully Banana Wings in there, the only illustrated and smartly laid-out. It’s fanzine which has made me miss my taking it again. stop on public transport because I was too engrossed in an article; a shame not Odds- 3-to-2 to see Chunga or Prolapse on there, which have both produced More from Liz Batty excellent work in 2008. I would love to I thought this might be the year see Banana Wings win, but I think Mike that a blog makes it onto the best Glyer and File 770 will take the fanzine shortlist, but instead it is the prize here. year that Electric Velocipede I’m not sure a blog would makes the cut. Now I think Electric technically be eligible for Best Fanzine, Velocipede is a fine magazine, from but who knows. Once again, I’m the few issues I have seen, and clearly not totally pleased with the lack of a labour of love for John Klima, definition within the Hugo Awards. but I think that a small fiction Maybe it’s just that I like definitions magazine, which pays contributors, and strong administrators. That’s not carries advertising, and is available for a popular stance, as I understand it. a cash payment only is a Anyhoo, I’m not bummed that EV is in completely different beast to the rest of the running largely because it’s pretty the fanzines which are darn good and technically it fits. Of traditionally nominated in this category, course, the flood of formerly Semi- and seems to have more in Prozines is about to begin and Ansible they do well and increase circulation Best Semi-Pro Zine and sales, but in this climate, that’s Last Year’s Winner- Locus hardly a smart bet. Still, there’s good Who’s not on the ballot- Ansible, stuff to find in Weird Tales. The Internet Review of Science Fiction, Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet, Odds- 8-to-1 Apex & Abyss, Realms of Fantasy rd 5th Place- Clarkesworld 3 Place- Interzone How often does Chris Garcia read it? How Often Does Chris Garcia Read It- I’ve at least glanced at every issue and Very rarely. have had an article in there too. And it was non-fiction. Pros- Long-running zine that’s won this category before. Pros- Some great fiction from some Cons- Not the strongest year from what big names (Jay Lake, Mary Robinette I’ve heard. Is not Locus. Kowal, Robert Reed, Mike Resnick) and some good non-fiction. I haven’t read a current issue of Cons- Not as widely read as the others. 4th Place- Weird Tales Interzone in ages. They gave one out Hasn’t been a regular nominee in the How often does Chris Garcia Read it? at Denvention, but I think that was category. Isn’t Locus. I tend to read pre-1940 Weird Tales an older issue. It wasn’t as good as I more often than the current version, remember it being. Why? I’m not sure. So, Clarkesworld is a really good but I’ve read an issue or two. It just didn’t impress me that much. publication that I will likely put at the Still, there’s big name recognition and top of my personal ballot. It’s a fun Pros- Good magazine with strong folks seem to love it. Plus, there’s the zine, has some really great fiction and editors. Long-standing name whole English thing. some very nice non-fiction too. In fact, recognition helps. Ann VerderMeer is this issue has a fine article about re- highly visible these days. Odds- 7-to-1 makes written by Daniel Kimmel that Cons- not as widely read as the others is the highlight for me. It’s got good on the list. Isn’t Locus. nd visual sense, very strong writing and 2 Place- New York Review of sadly, little chance of winning the I’d love to see Weird Tales win Science Fiction category. someday, but I doubt it’ll happen. The How often does Chris Garcia read it? real problem isn’t that it’s not a good Once every year when they announce Odds- 10-to-1 mag, it is, but it lacks the impact on that it’s on the Hugo Ballot. the general SF community that mags like Interzone have. I’m hoping that Pros- Long-standing Semi-Pro with a very popular editorship. of Locus despite having some friends This may be the last year for Cons- How many times do I have to say who write for it and genuinely liking the Best Semi-Pro, which worries it: it ain’t Locus. that Charles Brown fellow and having me because that’ll release a number loved the early issues. Sadly, the track of zines back into the fanzine I can’t say that I ever get the itch to they’ve taken to where fandom no competition. There’s the Locus read NYRSF, it just ain’t my bag. I can longer matters to it bothers me. Still, standard win, which I hope ends see that a fair segment of the SF world it always wins unless the Hugos are someday when they’re voting in the would be into it, but for me, there’s not voted on in England. USA. Who knows what’ll happen once much there. Still, between Hartwell the change happens. and Cramer, you’ve got serious talent Odds- 3-to-2. on the editorial side, as well as a list of writers that’s just fantastic. Niall Jay Crasdan had a Harrison and Graham Sleight and few things to say. Joe Sanders and Adam Roberts and While we Michael Bishop all do reviews, plus were in Finland, we John Clute and Gwyenth Jones have had access to more done some nice reviews too. It’s got magazines than we a strong list of writers, but sadly, it’ll ever had while living always play second fiddle to the Big in Santa Barbara. We Dog. could get Interzone, Locus, Weird Tales, Odds- 4-to-1 F&SF, Analog, Asimov’s and about two dozen others Winner- Locus from the bookshop How ofter does Chris Garcia stoop to in downtown. This read it? About 3 issues a year. Usually was a great year by accident... for Interzone. All the issues around the Pros- It’s Locus. Everyone who counts house are trashed loves it. because we’ve read Cons- Well, personally, I’m not a fan. them over and over. The Forry Ackerman Death Notice that It’s got my vote, was premature was a black mark, as though M still loves was the recent Locus Awards debacle. Locus, despite your disgust. I’ve got a long-standing disapproval like to see his work nominated Best Professional Artist in the Best Graphic Story, but Last Year’s Winner- Stephan that’ll have to wait to see if it Martiniere becomes a regular category. Not on the list- Phil Foglio (a total crime), Jim Burns, Michael Whelan, Odds- 6-to-1 Stephan Martiniere

th 5 Place- Daniel Dos Santos 3nd Place- Bob Eggleton Pros- An artist of book covers and Pros- A legend. Has won this trading card whose work can be seen category more than once. at http://www.dandossantos.com Cons- Not anything I can think Cons- not as much name recognition of. Maybe slightly less visible as the rest of the folks on the list. than other years.

I have to admit, I didn’t know much I finally met Bob at Denvention about Daniel Dos Santos until I went and he was a really nice digging for this piece and found his guy. I often say that Bob is a website. It’s good stuff, not only book powerful force for good and covers, but trading cards as well. He’s awesome. Still, I can’t think of got a beautiful style and he could many pieces I’ve come across easily win this category in the future, by him this year, which is but this being his first year on the kinda weird because even ballot, I don’t think it’ll happen. Still, though I’m slightly sheltered, his website alone is worth a nice long most years I come across and visit. thing or two.

Odds- 8-to-1 Odds- 5-to-2

Second Place- John Picacio th Daniel Dos Santos’ cover of Patricia Briggs’ Bone Crossed 4 Place- Shaun Tan Pros- A great artist with a Pros- The Arrival was nominated I love Shaun Tan’s stuff, bt I’m not strong fanbase. last year and sadly didn’t do too sure if he can overcome the large lead Cons- He’s fighting an up-hill battle well. His wide-ranging group of the rest of the field has on him this against two former winners. images can found on his website- year. The Arrival is one of the best www.shauntan.com things to come down the pipe in ages, I think John Picacio’s cover for A Cons- Didn’t do very well in the Best and though it came in dead last as I Canticle For Leibowitz is probably the Related Book voting last year. remember it, it was still a marvel. I’d best thing I’ve seen in years. There are various other covers that I appreciate stepped away, in which case, good for year. too, including a Star Trek triptych that him. It’ll be a close race, I think. Still, I blew me away this year. I like John, miss Phil Foglio on this list. I tried my damnedest, but I can’t really I think he’s a real talent and he gets think of any reason that I’d vote for my vote this year without question. Beth. She’s good people from what I His stuff is fantastic with a smoke- understand, but I couldn’t come up like quality to many of them that just with a single novel that I read that she draws me in. He did manage to come had edited. in second last year in the category and I don’t see him back-sliding. Odds- 12-to-1

Odds- 2-to-1 4th Place- Ginjer Buchanan Pros- Long-lasting figure in the world Winner- Donato Giancola of Science Fiction. Pros- He’s also a legend and has done Cons- I can’t think of what she edited some amazing work. He’s got two Best this year that I enjoyed. Professional Artist Hugos in the last 5 years. I don’t know if I’ve ever met Ginjer. I Cons- None that I can think of. Maybe probably have, I know my Dad met folks wanna spread the wealth a little? her a couple of times, but I think she’s one of the most talented editors I’ve always been a big Donato fan. He around. She’s also got a great stockpile was the Artist GoH at the Philcon I of books of the past. That said, finally went to in 2002 and he was a really seeing her list of books edited in 2008, nice guy. We even did a panel together this was not her best year. which was fun. He declined his Best Editor- Long nomination in 2008. I think he’ll take Odds- 10-to-1 it. Form Last Year’s Winner- David G. Hartwell Odds- 3-to-2 Who’s not on the list- Teresa Nielsen 3rd Place- Lou Anders Hayden, Juliet Ulman, Toni Weisskopf Pros- Edited a couple of really fun Mike This is a good list, probably Resnick books last year. the best in a few years. I’d love to see 5th Place- Beth Meacham Cons- edited an Allen Dean Foster Picacio take it home. I love Donato, Pros- Long-standing name in the field, book. Meh. but I think John’s got a great style. It’s former Tor Editor-in-Chief. interesting to note that Martiniere isn’t Cons- I can’t seem to remember Looking over Lou’s list from the last on the ballot, but it could be that he coming across her name at all last few years, I have to say that he’s got I met Patrick Odds- 2-to-1 last year at Eastercon. Nice This is always a category that I feel guy. He’s a weird about. I really don’t like the long-time fave ones where you’re giving an award to of voters and the person instead of the work. I’ve a former TAFF been saying for ages that I’d rather see winner (along the Best Novel Hugo award go to the with his wife Author with some sort of secondary Teresa). He mention to the Editor. It’s much like might get swept with the Oscars where the Award for up in a Scalzi Best Picture is given to the Producers fever, too. It’ll with various other mentions. Of be tight. course, that’s a bigger deal.

Odds- 7-to-3

some good stuff up there. Including Winner- David Hartwell last year’s best SF novel: Brasyl. This Pros- Long-standing figure in the field year, none of his novels were up for the who is on the ballot twice this year. big one, and I don’t think he’ll take it Won last year, oh, and he’s the Editor this year. Guest of Honor for Anticipation. Cons- Maybe they wanna spread Odds- 8-to-1 things around a bit?

I like David Hartwell. I’ve never talked Second Place- Patrick Nielsen to the man, but I appreciate his Hayden wardrobe, the stuff he’s edited for TOR Pros- Edited two of the Nominees for and his anthologies. He’s a very well- Best Novel. Lots of big names under liked guy and I’m betting he’ll take it his belt, including Scalzi, Doctorow, home. I couldn’t find a listing of what Goodkind and Walton. He won this he’d edited in 2008, though, and that award in 2007. might work against him, giving it to Cons- Well, I’m having trouble thinking Patrick. of any. art by Genevieve wide-spread of the nominees. 3rd Place- Stanley Schmidt Best Editor- Short Pros- He’s been doing this for a long The Starry Rift and Eclipse Two are time, has been on the ballot a couple of Form both great anthologies. If there was dozen times and has never won. a Best Anthology category, they’d be Cons- Well, this was not the best year Last year’s Winner- Gordon Van my number 1 and 3 votes. The fact is, for Analog. Gelder anthologies ain’t getting grabbed up as Who’s Not on the List- David much as they used to be. Still, this had The quality of the big science fiction Hartwell, Andy Cox, Cat Rambo (if only one story on the Hugo nomination list. mags has slipped serious over the last for that awesome name!), Kelly Link couple of years. I can’t say that I read Odds- 6-to-1 much Analog this year, I wasn’t much 5th Place- Sheila Williams interested in the stuff I did read. Still, Pros- Edits a big name magazine. I really wanna see him holding a Hugo Has several stories nominated from someday. Asimov’s on the ballot this year. Cons- A big name magazine that’s been Odds- 5-to-1 nearly unreadable for the last couple of years. Second Place- Ellen Datlow It’s a shame that Asimov’s has slid so Pros- She’s a Hall of Famer. far down the ladder. There was a time Cons- Well, she’s not put out her best when it was one of the best fiction stuff this year. magazines out there. Of course, at the time it was being edited by George This is an odd one. Everyone loves Scithers and when it made a comeback Ellen, she’s won Hugos before in the 1990s, it was being edited by and she’s really good. None of her Gardner Dozois. Still, I don’t think anthologies this year struck a chord many would say that Sheila’s got a with me, which is fine, and I personally chance. didn’t feel her influence on The Year’s Best Fantasy & Horror. I dunno, Odds- 15-to-1 maybe there’s enough love of her spread around that she’s get it, but I 4th Place- Johnathan Strahan don’t think so. Pros- is the reviews editor for Locus, which is big exposure, and he does Odds- 3-to-1 some great anthologies. Cons- well, aside from the Locus connection, he’s probably the least Winner- Gordon Van Gelder Best Dramatic Presentation- episode of Who. I find it interesting Pros- Is the editor of the last regularly that Moffat’s episodes always win, readable magazine of fantasy and Short Form which means that this one by Russell science fiction, oddly enough called, Winner Last Year- Dr. Who Blink T. Davies gets the bump. The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Not on the List- The Venture Brothers Fiction. The Trail of The Monarch (Brilliant Odds- 8-to-1 Cons- He won last year. stuff that was the funniest thing all-year), The Simpsons Halloween Let me say that F&SF is easily the best Special, Anything from Pushing Third Place- Battlestar Galactica of the prozines right now. No question Daisies, Anything from Torchwood, The Revelations in my eyes that it earns the prize for Season Finale of LOST, Me eating that Pros- BSG just ended its run and went Gordo. He’s done a great job. I totally cake at BASFA out on something of a high note. thought that the January 2008 issue Cons- Still, no Dirk Benedict or Lorne was the best issue of any magazine 5th Place- LOST The Constant Greene. I’ve read in ages, including Pride & Pros- LOST has a strong fanbase. Prometheus and Mystery Hill. Cons- It’s still a sort-of opt-in show I’m not a fan of BSG other than the which requires fans to come in with 1970s original. Still, it’s very popular Odds- 2-to-1 some clue to get any specific episode. and got a lot of press for its finale. I’m expecting it to do pretty well, probably This is a category that I wish would I loved LOST last season, and this not winning, but finishing kinda high. go away. What? You’re not serious, season too, in fact. I’m pretty sure that are you, Chris? I certainly am. I’d it won’t win. You can walk in on any Odds- 5-to-1 much rather they get rid of Editor of the other pieces on the ballot and Short Form and replace it with Best they’re all reasonable stand-alone. It Magazine (also solving the Best Semi- seems harder for something to win 2nd Place- Dr. Who Silence in the Pro problem) and Best Anthology. It when it requires more episodes of Library/Forest of the Dead think that’d really be a good way to go. interaction to really come to grips with Pros- It’s Moffat writing Dr. Who! It’s I don’t like giving awards to individuals it. Plus, it’s not a Dr. Who episode. also a very powerful set of episodes when there’s a perfectly good way to and Alex Kingston is hot! give it to a work. Sadly, the decline of Odds- 8-to-1 Cons- Dr. Who’s streak may turn some Analog and Asimov’s hurts, but it’s folks off. Not an internet phenomena. F&SF that’s gone bi-monthly. There 4th Place- Dr. Who Turn Left ain’t no justice! Pros- It’s Dr. Who! This was easily the best Dr. Who for Cons- It’s a less flashy episode that the me last year. It’s a two-part episode other one that’s on the ballot. that really panders to the Science Fiction fan. I mean, there are books, This is a good, but not quite great the Doctor, Alex Kingston. It’s got everything, man! Still, I don’t see it whether Doctor Horrible can stop Moffat series instead of an arc and individual winning. making it four straight wins. I episodes. Still, I think that the list think I’d give Doctor Horrible the edge. is pretty strong. And The Venture Odds- 3-to-1 Brothers. That needs a nom some Pushing Daisies was more of an day! It was the funniest series of last Winner- Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along across-the-board kind of show, which year and The Trial of the Monarch was Blog is another reason to just nominate a pretty damn awesome. Pros- an Internet sensation that had its release perfectly timed. It’s a wonderful piece of work and a hilarious accomplishment from a Hugo favorite. Cons- It’s not a Dr. Who.

This should win because it was the most inventive of all the nominees. I thought that it was funny and obviously they could build a ton of stuff around it. The videos from the Fan competition are hilarious too. I like L’enfant Terrible and Miss Broadway Dork the most. Also, it’s this year’s Gollum speech, in a way. I’m hoping it wins because it’s the thing I quote the most. Odds- Even Money

Let us return to the thought of Liz Batty! Disappointing not to see an episode of the quirky and delightful Pushing Daisies on here, but my guess is that there were no standout episodes for a consensus to form around, and I think The Sarah Connor Chronicles and The Middleman have suffered the same fate. I would have liked to see the Doctor Who episode Midnight on there, but the question this year is 4th Place- METAtropolis characters. Best Dramatic Pros- Some really big names in an Cons- Not many, but animated films Presentation- Long Form audio collection by the Internet’s haven’t been big winners in recent Last year’s winner- Stardust favorite guy. years. What’s Not on the List- Kung Fu Cons- It’s an audiobook and not as Panda, Repo! The Genetic Opera, widely experienced as the rest of the I finally saw it and I thought that it Coverfield, Bolt, The Curious Case of nominees. was wondreful. Pixar does pretty well, Benjamin Button (and Thank Ghod!), but it never seems to win. This might Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the I would love this to win. I don’t think it be the best Pixar film since the Glory Crystal Skull, Journey to the Center of will. I think that a movie will win, but Days of Monsters, Inc. and Finding the Earth this has serious Internet buzz. Still, Nemo. probably not enough. Fifth Place- Hellboy II: The Golden Odds- 3-to-1 Army Odds- 8-to-1 Pros- Guillermo delToro directs a Winner- The Dark Knight popular comic franchise film. 3th Place- Iron Man Pros- One of the single greatest Cons- Didn’t do well in the box office Pros- A very funny movie that was also performances in the history of genre and it didn’t get great reviews. seriously action-y and had a really fun film: Heath Ledger as the Joker. Some performance from Robert Downet Jr. of the most exciting scenes in Comic I love Mike Mignola. I always have. I Cons- It’s not the best comic book book films. An excellent performance didn’t love the first Hellboy, but it had movie of last year. Marvel Comics films by Santa Clara’s own Aaron Eckhart. some decent moments. And how can haven’t done well in the Hugo voting. Great cinematography coupled with a you not love Jeffrey Tambor? Still, I wonderful score. don’t see it having a chance against a I love this film. It was, along with Cons- Kinda violent and some might pair of comic book movies and Pixar. Tropic Thunder and Kung Fu Panda, not find it at all Science Fictional. one of the most fun films of the Odds- 20-to-1 summer. Downey Jr. was great, as This was a magnificent film. I won’t was Jeff Bridges. I thought it was a go much further because I could go really fun ride, and I can’t wait for the on and on. I thought is was one of second film in the series. Still, it’s over- the best films of 2008. I enjoyed it shadowed by a DC movie. more than Slumdog, more than The Wrestler. It was an exceptional film, Odds- 4-to-1 easily the Best Comic Book movie ever.

Second Place- Wall-E Odds- 5-to-7 Pros- One of the best Pixar films with a heart-warming plot and great And now, Liz Batty I really wasn’t impressed with it. I like The Dark Knight is an excellent Best Graphic Story Jim Butcher, his Codez Alera stuff film which isn’t really science fiction, is really solid, but this ain’t his best Last Year’s Winner- There weren’t but a fine superhero twist on a crime work. I wasn’t thrilled with the art, one. The closest would be Watchmen thriller. Iron Man and Hellboy either. It’s just a miss, but there are in Other Forms back in the 1980s. were both entertaining films enlivened Butcher fans and those that love The What didn’t make it? All-Star by brilliant central Dresden Files, so I’m betting it won’t Superman comes to mind, as does the performances, but the winner here come last. recent Flash run. Would 52 count, or should be WALL-E, as there was no was that too long ago? What about more adorable, heartwarming, and Odds- 8-to-1 Tales from the Crypt? wonderful science fiction film released last year. I would have liked to see a Fourth place- Y: The Last Man 6th Place- Schlock Mercenary: The nomination for Juan Antonio Bayona’s Volume 10: Why’s and Wherefores Body Politic creepy Spanish horror film El Orfanato; Pros- Y has been a Vertigo popular Pros- Web comic available for I’m not a fan of audio books so series for ages with a big name writer free download from http:// I don’t know whether METAtropolis is a (Bryan K. Vaughn) at the helm. schlockmercenary.com/ good example of them, but I’m Cons- This was not the best the series Cons- Schlock what-now? glad to see that an original anthology had to offer. gets a nomination somewhere on I had never heard of Schlock the ballot. I was disappointed with the end of the Mercenary until I saw the nominations. Let me say that the series, possibly because I wanted the I went and took a look and it’s pretty performances in Hellboy were pretty real answer to the reason all the men fun. I then looked up Howard Taylor good. I can not argue that Wall-E was died and it wasn’t really there. Still, and saw that the next book in the an adorable, lovely film. I just think I’m betting there’s enough good will to series seems to have an intro done by The Dark Knight is too strong in this keep it in contention, but not enough John Scalzi. That boy’s everywhere! one. to give it the win. Odds- 15-to-1 Odds- 6-to-1

3rd Place- Serenity: Better Days 5th Place- The Dresden Files: Pros- It’s Joss Whedon and Serenity. Welcome to the Jungle Cons- The previous Serenity comic Pros- It’s Jim Butcher writing in an wasn’t great. Some complain that it’s established universe. just another tie-in. Cons- I picked up a copy and read it. It’s only somewhat better than the I liked Better Days quite a bit. I recent TV series. thought that it was the strongest comic I’ve ever read from Joss (and that I have no idea why... pick for this category. I predict the includes Buffy Season 8). It was that This, to me, is a near-certainty. I really actual winner perfect Joss combination of funny, think this was the best thing put out will be Girl Genius, which seems to be smart, and dark. I’d say it would win if last year, even better than All-Star well-loved in fandom, but the all things were equal, but I don’t think Superman, and that the Foglios have nominated volume doesn’t stand alone they are. really outdone themselves. It also well enough for me to get into it. doesn’t hurt that they’ll be Artist GoHs Odds- 4-to-1 at WindyCon in Novemeber! Agatha Good points. I’m glad we’re trying Heterodyne is a magnificent character it out, and it’s looking like it might and I’m looking forward to the next become a regular category (even 2th Place- Fables: War and Pieces edition. though I’d rather see Best Website Pros- Another very popular Vertigo before Best Graphic Story become a title. Odds- 5-to-4 regular category). I gotta agree that Cons- None that I can think of. All-Star Superman was one of the best Again, the smarter-than-Chris words of things that comics have had in the last Fables isn’t my favourite series. It’s Liz Batty! few years. come and gone from my buying habits A category which (and I rarely buy comics these days, seems well overdue, sadly), but it’s popular and well- I hope that future done. I read a fair chunk of War and Worldcons will retain Pieces at Illusive Comics & Games in it, and it’s nice to see Santa Clara and it was good stuff. I’m webcomics making the hoping that Fables doesn’t turn into ballot as well as something that just bleeds out over it’s print comics. While none edges. Jack of Fables is enough for it, I of my nominations made think. it onto the ballot, the most notable is Grant Odds- 3-to-1 Morrison and Frank Quitely’s quintessential Winner- Girl Genius, Volume 8: Superman series, All- Agatha Heterodyne and the Chapel Star Superman. I haven’t of Bones finished reading Y: The Pros- It’s Phil & Kaja Foglio! It’s a Last Man, but if the fantastic web/print comic and it’s got a quality of the early great following. issues holds up through Cons- Maybe there’s a serious anti- volume Foglio bias. I’ve heard such things, but 10, that would be my Cons- Not as widely pushed as the Best Related Book leading condidates. Last Year’s Winner- Brave New Words: The Oxford Dictionary of Science Farah does an amazing job getting Fiction (and it’s a crime it wasn’t The into the corners and I found myself Company They Keep!) having a very difficult time putting it What’s Not on the List- The Writer’s down while I did my annual “Reading Tale by Russel T. Davies Hugo Books in the Library” afternoon. I think it’s a great book that should, fifth place- What It Is We Do When and probably will, be required reading We Read Science Fiction by Paul for those studying the Fantasy genre. Kincaid Sadly, it’s not wide-spread enough to How long did it take Chris Garcia to win the thing, I’m afraid. I think that’s Read It? I couldn’t actually get my a shame because I’m voting for it and I Art by Jane Mailander hands on a copy. like to vote for the winners. Second Place- The Vorkosigan Companion:: The Universe of Lois Pros- Paul Kincaid is a fairly well- Odds- 10-to-1 McMaster Bujold known name How Long Did It Take Chris Garcia to Cons- I couldn’t get my hands on a 3rd Place- Spectrum 15: The Best Read It? I gave up after about an hour. copy. in Contemporary Fantastic Art by Cathy and Arnie Fenner Pros- McMaster Bujold is hella popular This is published by an English Small How Long Did It Take Chris Garcia To with the reading types. Press, and on short notice, I couldn’t Read? Less than an hour. Cons- I couldn’t get much into it. get a copy to read for this issue. I think that’ll work against it. Pros- A book of lovely Fantastic art in a This is a book that examines the popular series. Universe of one writer. Usually I go Odds- 12-to-1 Cons- It’s an art book. for those. This one had me bored, and while I could see someone who really This was actually far and away the liked Lois loving it, I did not. Still, the 4th Place- Rhetorics of Fantasy by least interesting book to me. I love art, fanbase for McMaster Bujold’s books Farah Mendlesohn I always have, but this was just a dull will probably vote for it, so I give it a How Long Did it Take Chris Garcia to presentation of some good art. Still, distant second. I do have to say that Read It? I didn’t get to read the whole art books are pretty popular and I’m it does make me want to read a little thing, but I did a thorough skim a the betting it’ll do OK. Bujold library for about three hours Odds- 8-to-1 Odds- 7-to-1 Pros- Fascinating look at the Fantasy field. Winner: Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded: A Decade of Whatever. Best Short Story 1998-2008 by John Scalzi Last Year’s Winner- Tideline by How Long Did It take Chris Garcia to Elizabeth Bear Read It? I gave it a couple of hours. What’s not on the list- It’s a Wonderful Life by Michaela Roessner, Pros- It’s John Scalzi, Master of A Ten Pound Sack of Rice by Richard Internet Hype and Bloggery. Mueller (I really loved that story), Cons- There are those who are not Whoever by Carol Emshwiller, Dazzle happy about his win for Best Fan Joins the Screenwriter’s Guild by Scott Writer last year and may hold it Bradford, The Sky that Wraps the against him. World Round, Past the Blue and Into the Black by Jay Lake, A Buyer’s Guide I enjoyed the period I spent reading the to Maps of Antarctica by Catherynne book, but sadly I had so many other M. Valent. things to read, I had to put it down. It was good reading, and with his giant Fifth Place- Article of Faith by Mike fanbase, he should overwhelm this Resnick category and win the whole thing. Pros- Mike’s a favourite of voters. Cons- Not the best story on the list, Odds- Even money nor the best by Resnick.

This entire category is a rough one. It’s good to see something from Baen’s There’s Scalzi who is obviously going Universe nominated, though I’m not to win, though I think the Mendlesohn fully happy that it was this story. On book is my favourite of them. the other hand, even weak Resnick is Interestingly, I think this’ll be Scalzi’s a bit better than good stuff from other only Rocket this year. I thought that writers. this was a weak year for the Related Book, as there was only one other that Odds- 9-to-1 I’d heard off that I gave any time to throughout the year. Now, I do have Fourth place- Exhalation by Ted to say that there were a ton of Comics Chiang things that might have been eligible. I Pros- A Hugo voters favourite and a love to buy Comic reference books. great writer. Cons- Not nearly as good as Chiang’s stories that were nominated previously. I didn’t much care for this story. I Cons- I didn’t like it. know, that’s just me, but it was also featured in Eclipse Two, which won’t This was an interesting attempt at a have nearly the exposure of the other story that might have worked if it were stories on the list. written by Chiang or even Jay Lake. I thought it wasn’t a Swanwick story, Odds- 6-to-1 which some might enjoy, but I go into Swanwick expecting Swanwick and this weren’t that. Still, he’s the biggest 3rd Place- Evil Robot Monkey by name on the ballot, it was in a major Mary Robinette Kowal magazine (Asimov’s) and should take Pros- A really fun and delightful the rocket. piece that manages to pull all sorts of emotions. Odds- 2-to-1 Cons- In an anthology, so less exposure (The Solaris Book of New I like this line-up with Chiang, Science Fiction Volume Two) Resnick, Swanwick all putting out decent stories that I wasn’t thrilled I heard Mary read this at the John and with, but Kowal and Johnson doing Mary Show You Their Shorts reading wonderful, wonderful stories. Stories in San Francisco and it was one of the about Monkeys. I really thought last highlights. I would love for this to win year’s bunch was weak, and while this (and it’s taking my 2nd place vote) and isn’t the strongest category, I have to it’s about monkeys. What’s better than This one’s got monkeys too! I thought it admit that I like it. that? was a really fun and funky story and I was glad that it ended up on the ballot. Odds- 5-to-1 This was the one bright spot for the issues of Asimov’s I bothered to read last year. Still, it’s not quite going to win, which is a shame. 2nd Place- 26 Monkeys, Also the

Abyss by Kij Johnson Pros- appeared in Asimov’s and was Odds- 3-to-1 just about the only thing that made any impact on me from Asimov’s last year. Winner- From Babel’s Fall’n Glory Cons- It’s not by a Hugo Voter We Fled by Michael Swanwick favourite. Pros- It’s a well-liked story from a Hugo Voter Favorite the only voter because it Best Novelette was in Asimov’s. It was yet Last Year’s Winner- The Merchant and the another example of what Alchemist’s Gate by Ted Chiang (and this was I thought was wrong with the best piece of Short Fiction I’ve read since at Asimov’s all year: it was least 2000) almost there, but in the What’s Not On the List? The Twilight Year by end, it left me with nothing. Sean McMullen, Mystery Hill by Alex Irvine (both of these and Pride & Prometheus all Odds- 8-to-1 appeared in the same issue of F&SF)

5th Place- The Gambler by Paolo 3rd Place- Alastair Bacigalupi Baffle’s Emporium of Pros- It’s a great story. Just flat-out Wonders by Mike Resnick great. Pros- a favourite of Cons- Not in the largest market (it was Hugo voters doing a very in Fast Forward 2, which was a good entertaining story in a very anthology). visible publication. Cons- Kinda chatty. This story blew me away. Why am I putting it fifth? Because it’s not in a This was the best Mike high-profile place. True, it can be read Resnick short piece I read on-line, but most folks aren’t going last year. It was a really to make that step and the stuff in the fun story and I’m probably magazines tend to get more attention. going with it for my second Plus, Paolo isn’t exactly the biggest place vote in this category. name you’ll ever find. Still, this is a It’s got a mention of wonderful story that I suggest reading Cons- The opening line says “This is Strangler Lewis and Verne Gagne, two old time ’rasslers from the highly. a story about a ray-gun. The ray-gun 1920s and 50s respectively. It’s a fun will not be explained except to say, “It look at old folks and looking back. Odds- 10-to-1 shoots rays.”” and that’s followed by a I was impressed. Ols guys watchin’ lot of explanation about the ray-gun. ’rasslin’ in a Hugo nominated story. It’s weird. That’s freakin’ awesome! 4th Place- The Ray-Gun: A Love

Story by James Alan Gardner I was not a big fan of this one, though I Odds- 5-to-1 Pros- It’s a very different story that is will admit it was kinda fun. I think that kinda fun. In a very big publication. it will do better than it would if I were Second Place- Pride and Prometheus This is an interesting category. With by John Kessel the exception of The Ray-Gun, I Best Novella Pros- It appeared in the one good thought these were all very good Last Year’s Winner- All Seated on the remaining magazine of The Big Three stories. I thought the Bear story was Ground by Connie Willis and was a really good story. flawed, the Kessel story over-shadowed Not on the List- Arkfall by Carolyn Cons- it wasn’t even the best of the in that particular issue, and the Ives Gilman, Owner Space by Neal stories in that issue! Resnick story just a bit below the level Asher; The Sear and the Silverman by of the rest. I have to say that if I had Stephen Baxter, The Overseer by Albert This is a good story, I really should my way, it’d be Bacigalupi taking home E. Cowdrey re-read it, but I liked it a lot when I the rocket for this category. Actually, read it on BART while traveling back it’d be Alex Irvine if there was any Fifth Place- Truth by Robert Reed and forth to Linda’s for a couple of justice! Pros- A Hugo nominators fave writes a days. Of course, I much preferred Sean story that tackles prison and terrorists. McMullen and Alex Irvine’s stories Cons- I thought it was REALLY long. from the same issue of F&SF. Another story from Analog by an Odds- 3-to-1 author who gets nominations every year and does pretty well. This was a story that just felt like it kept going Winner- Shoggoths in Bloom by and going and going. It wasn’t a bad Elizabeth Bear story, but it was endless. Pros- a great story by a popular writer in a major magazine Odds- 9-to-1 Cons- It was in Asimov’s, but that’s just me. Fourth Place- The Tear by an

McDonald I really did enjoy much of Shoggoths Pros- Another Hugo nominator favorite in Bloom. It wasn’t my favourite, but writing a story in what might have it was OK. It went on a bit too long, been the best anthology of last year. but what are you gonna do? Bear’s a Cons- It wasn’t as good as the Baxter popular writer and she won one last or Asher pieces in the same Anthology year, and I think she’ll have another and it kinda made me remember one this year. Waterworld!

Odds- 2-to-1 This is a story that took me ages to get through, but was a good read. It being in an anthology that’s only in hardcover, as far as I know, will Wage. It’s good stuff, and if it had Odds- 3-to-1 probably hurt it quite a bit. McDonald been in one of the Big Three, I’d have needs to win one of those rockets expected it to win. Winner- The Erdmann Nexus by someday. I thought he’d come close Nancy Kress with Brasyl, but I was wrong. Odds- 4-to-1 Pros- A strong story in a strong venue by a strong author Odds- 8-to-1 Second Place- The Political Prisoner Cons- Nothing too big by Charles Coleman Finlay Third Place- True Names by Pros- This was my first choice for the I didn’t love this story, it was alright, but Benjamin Rosenbaum & Cory award. It’s a great and tough story that I can see why some folks really dig it. Doctorow felt like a Hugo winner kind of story. It’s an old dude physicist story, which Pros- One of my favourite writers Cons- There are a lot of folks out there is good. I’ve read a couple of different (Rosenbaum) and one of the Internet’s who do not enjoy Finlay’s writing. folks say that this is Kress writing as favorites (Doctorow) put together a Connie Willis, and I can see that. I still story that I think is pretty darn tasty. I thought that was one of the best think this isn’t the strongest of stories, Cons- Some might not be able to follow stories of the year at any length. I was but I’m betting it’ll take it based on it and it appeared in Fast Forward 2, most impressed with it, though I can name, venue and story type. not a huge market release. see why there’s a significant contingent that would not appreciate his writing Odds- 2-to-1 This is a tough one. The story is style. Still, this is one of the best actually a bit ponderous, but intelligent stories of the year that appeared in one Let me say that this wasn’t the best and the writing kept bringing me back of the Big Three, so I’m saying it’ll do of the fiction categories, but it’s better to one of my favourite Philip Jose very well. than some years. I think that the Farmer Pieces, Riders of the Purple Finlay piece is really my fave, and the Rosenbaum/Doctorow combination is pretty entertaining. I’d like to read more from the two of them. I wish Baxter and Asher would have made it to the ballot, because I loved that Antholgy and I thought those were my faves. I think Kress takes it, but This one’ll be a fight! Odds- 5-to-1 And Now: The Main Event... 3rd Place- Zoe’s Tale by John Scalzi How Long Did it Take Chris Garcia to Read It? I never finished it, Best Novel though I was about 1⁄2 way through Last year’s Winner- The Yiddish when I stopped. Policeman’s Union by Michael Chabon What’s Not on the List- The Alchemy Pros- It’s Scalzi. I mean, come on, of Stone by Ekaterina Sedia (which was what else do I need to say? one of the best books I’ve read in ages), Cons- The story’s so-so and this Liberation by Brian Francis Slattery isn’t Scalzi’s best. (I haven’t finished it, but I’m loving it roughly 1/3 of the way through), I’ll admit it, I was turned off by Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan, the voice. As accurate as it may Matter by Iain M. Banks have been, it just turned me off. I did think the story was sold, but Third Place- Little Brother by Cory I wasn’t into it. I had to stop. I Doctorow know, bad reviewer! No bisquick! How long did it take Chris Garcia to Still, I think that The Scalzi Army Read it? About 3 days. will buoy it up and keep it in the running. Pros- Fun storyline that moves really well. Another of those crazy authors Odds- 5-to-1 RAH ever was. I love Freya, the sex-bot, with wild internet cred and I thought that it wa a grand world Cons- Cory’s done better. Stross created. I really like Charlie,

Third Place- Saturn’s Children by nice guy who I was glad to get to hang This is a book geared towards teens, Charles Stross around with a little at Eastercon. which is a good thing as it shows in How Long Did It Take Chris Garcia to There’s a lot to like about Saturn’s the fact that it keeps on movin’. It’s Read It? Five days. Children, and there’s a lot to think is also all about the BArea which makes Pros- A very fun, very good novel from weird. Still, I think it’s in a logjam. It’s me happy. It’s also ever-so-slightly a very popular writer. also a book I’ll come back to later when paranoid in the way it presents the Cons- I’m not sure. I’m not trying to power through it to world, which makes it more fun. I say write this issue! it’ll get tangled up with two of the other This is supposedly a tribute to late-era stories. Heinlein, but I think it’s better than Odds- 5-to-1 Second Place- The Graveyard Book Pros- Very strong story that harkens think Stross, Doctorow and Gaiman by Neil Gaiman back to A Canticle for Leibowitz and have all written far better books, and if How Long Did It Take Chris Garcia to Dune. I were making a list of the best books of Read It? 6 days, off-and-on Cons- It’s a big ass book. 2008 they wouldn’t even be in my top ten. I would have liked to see Nick Pros- It’s Neil Gaiman, the most It’s a good story, and it’s been Harkaway’s endlessly entertaining popular author anywhere, the way everywhere, including on Time’s The Gone-Away World on the list, as people seem to talk about him, writing Top Ten Novels and more Top Ten well as Ian R MacLeod’s thoughtful a story that reminded me quite a bit of lists than I can list. Anathem is an Song of Time, and in a year where YA Stardust. And he’s Montreal’s Writer engrossing story and it ends up novels take three of the five spots it’s a GoH. making a very powerful point. It wasn’t shame that Patrick Ness’s The Knife of Cons- None. my favourite novel for the year (That Never Letting Go couldn’t find a place. would be Money Shot by Crista Faust Anathem has to be the front-runner in Neil has been having a good year. for all genres, The Alchemy of Stone this category, and it would be my choice Stardust won Best Dramatic for SF/F) and it was only a short shot as well. Presentation, The Graveyard Book won off those two. Still, it was featured in the Newbury, he was Eastercon’s GoH mainstream magazines, on NPR and Hmmm...I should read The Knife of and he’ll be WorldCon’s Writer GoH various other stations, which I say will Never Letting Go. I started in on Song this year. Don’t you wish you could give it the big win. of Time (cost a fortune!) and it wasn’t have a year like that? In almost any my thing. I agree that Stross, Doctorow other year, I’d say that Neil would be Let’s see what Liz has to say... and Gaiman have all written better, walking away with the Rocket, but not I asked a friend, who hadn’t and I’d add Scalzi there too, but I this year. He’s got a huge following, but seen the Hugo nominations, to guess think Saturn’s Children is probably his I don’t think it’s quite enough to make. who might be nominated for Best Novel. second best novel, though there are a I like The Graveyard Book, but I think I gave him a hint - I told him to couple I haven’t read yet. it’s not his strongest. think of the authors with the biggest internet fanbases. And he came up Odds- 3-to-1 with Cory Doctorow, Neil Gaiman, Charles Stross, and John Scalzi. This Winner, and New isn’t to say I think those authors are Champion...Anathem by Neal unworthy of a Hugo nomination, Stephenson but I do suspect that there is some How Long Did It Take Chris Garcia To element of loyalty and fan support Read It? I didn’t, but I did listen to the in these nominations, because I don’t unabridged Audiobook, which took me think the novels which are nominated the better part of three weeks in the are their best works. I’m not familiar car. with Scalzi’s work to comment, but I OK, I’ve been through them all and now the Traditionalist wing of the party. will sleep (At least until next week when I Traditionalist candidates such as shall start work on the Watchmen issue) George RR Martin, Daniel Abraham but Cheryl Morgan shall close-out this issue like Rob Nenn in the Good Ol’ Days, with a and Steven Erikson all declined to fine and funny piece she sent my way! comment, but a press release issued by the hard line Westeros Group was The Politics of Hugos particularly forthright: By Cheryl Morgan “Traditional Fantasy is all about knights, dragons, epic battles and the In amongst all of the usual oppression of women. Gaiman’s book nonsense accompanying the release contains vampires and werewolves. of the Hugo Award nominees list, one He is nothing but a horror writer in comment on John Scalzi’s blog caught where he was joined by long time disguise. He and his ilk have no place my eye. Someone made a point to the friends and supporters, Cory Doctorow in Science Fiction.” effect that of course all of the Hugo and Charles Stross. Stanley Schmidt, leader of voters always followed their party line “This is a good time to be on the Hard Science party, once again when choosing who to vote for. the Internet,” said Scalzi is his post- achieved nomination in the Editor announcement press conference. Short Form district, but is once again What??? “The people of the Science Fiction unlikely to be elected. He was cheered community are acknowledging our by the success of Neal Stephenson in But then again, what if… innovation and leadership in droves. the Best Novel district. “Lots of people I’d like to particularly mention our think that Neal turned his back on latest success, Mike Glyer, who up our party with his System of the World This is the BBC World Service until recently was a stalwart of the Old series,” said Schmidt, “but really he reporting from Science Fiction where Pharts Party and refused to publish was just talking about the history of the major political parties are once anywhere except on paper, but has science. Anathem is a triumphant again battling it out for control of now been converted to the delights of and formally correct proselytization of the community in the annual Hugo blogging.” the scientific method. Any book that Elections. Last night’s announcement The elections were somewhat contains mathematical proofs in its of the nominee lists were a particular less successful for New Fantasy. appendices is OK by me.” triumph for John Scalzi’s Internet Party leader, Neil Gaiman, achieved It was once again a rough night Party, which scored successes across nomination in the Best Novel district, for the Feminist Party, which failed the board. Scalzi himself achieved but there was little else for the party to get a single nomination in the Best nomination in no less than three faithful to cheer about. Many pundits Novel district. Party leader, Ellen districts, a feat rarely achieved put the failure of the once powerful Datlow, and her long-time ally Sheila before. That included a place on the party down to the vicious infighting Williams, took their safe seats in Editor prestigious Best Novel district ballot, between Gaiman’s followers and Short Form, and they were encouraged by unexpected successes for Ginjer Joss Whedon, who was ousted Buchanan and Beth Meacham in as leader of the Media Party by Editor Long Form. Datlow refused to be Steven Moffat a few years ago, made a downhearted. “I know that Elizabeth surprise comeback with nominations Bear, Mary Robinette Kowal and Cheryl in the Dramatic Short Form district Morgan are standing as members of and the new Graphic Story district. the Internet Party,” she said, “but they “This isn’t about Steven and me,” he all have strong Feminist leanings and I said, “this is about the battle for the expect to work closely with them if they control of Science Fiction. Scalzi may are elected.” think that he has achieved a notable Another party riven with internal success by getting nominated in the disputes is the Old Phart Party. The Dramatic Long Form district, but really feud between party members and long- all he has done is steal our policies by time electoral powerhouse, Charles employing actors. Those Hard Science Brown, is at boiling point with Old guys might be a bit stuck-in-the-mud Phart members not only calling for when it comes to campaigning, but Brown to be thrown out of the party, they have some really great ideas. but actually calling for the Semiprozine Years back, Neal Stephenson won the district, which Brown has represented Best Novel district on the basis of a for so long, to be gerrymandered out of story about the future of the book. existence. Party leader David Langford What he wrote is now coming true. refused to be drawn on the Brown Everyone is talking about ebooks these issue and was characteristically defiant days, and as technology improves, about his party’s chances. “Scalzi’s what we can do with them will party is full of pot-heads and hippies improve also. Eventually no one will from California such as Garcia, Wu want a book that isn’t animated and and the turncoat Glyer,” he thundered, interactive. The future belongs to the Art by Genevieve pounding the podium. “If they have Media Party.” their way, our children will grow up Alright, that’s enough! I’m not even knowing what paper is, let off to slumberland and I’ll be back alone how to read a fanzine! Scalzi with the Watchmen issue which has might have beaten me last year, but All statements ascribed to real people James Bacon co-editing with me. this time he was afraid to even face me! are, of course, fictitious. My apologies I’m always glad to get to work with I’ve beaten Cheryl Morgan every time to anyone who is upset about the James! she has challenged me in the past, and words I put into their mouths. I wanna thank Liz Batty, I shall do so again!” Cheryl Morgan, Genevieve, Frank Wu, and everyone else!