This past weekend, the Hugo award nominations were announced, with some great things on the ballot. The full list can be found here, and it’s well worth checking out some of the entries on there.
Novels: I’m annoyed that Soft Apocalypse, by Will McIntosh didn’t make the cut; it’s the best novel that I read last year, and it’s one of those books that blew me away twice. I’m also a little surprised that Charles Stross’s Rule 34 didn’t make an appearance, as well as Ready Player One, by Ernie Cline. (That’s not a bad thing, because RPO really isn’t a good book.) Of the ones on the list, I haven’t read Among Others, Deadlines or Dance with Dragons, but I’m betting that Embassytown will take the trophy. I do hope, however, that Leviathan Wakes will be the winner: that book drips with awesomeness. Edit: Another novel that was overlooked? Lev Grossman’s The Magician King. I’m stunned that that novel didn’t make the cut.
I can’t say much about the Novella and Novellette categories: I hope that Ken Liu takes Novella, and I hope that Charlie Jane Anders takes it for Novellette: the only stories that I’ve read on the list, but they’re both excellent.
Best Short story: I’m sad that none of Lightspeed’s stories made the cut, because there were some excellent ones there, but I’m rooting for Ken Liu’s The Paper Menagrie, which is an absolutely brilliant short story. If you haven’t read it, you really should do yourself a favor. John Scalzi’s April Fool’s Joke, Shadow War of the Night Dragons: Book One: The Dead City: Prologue is a hilarious nomination, because it’s technically a fun bit of writing. I liked Liu’s story much better though.
Motion pictures: I wish that people would stop nominating Doctor Who every year for short form: there’s quite a bit more when it comes to science fiction television. The pilot for Outcasts would have done nicely, as would several episodes of Fringe. I desperately want to see the episode of Community win, because that was one fantastic episode. Long form, I’ve no doubts that the entire run of Game of Thrones will win that one, although I would like to see Source Code win.
And, most exciting, Lightspeed Magazine picked up two nominations: Best Semiprozine and Best Editor, Short Form – John Joseph Adams. I’ve known about this for a couple of weeks, and while I’m not surprised, I think it’s fantastic that the outfit has been recognized for the fantastic stories that it’s put out. Being part of the Lightspeed team for just about all of 2011, it’s also great to contribute to such an outlet.
I also write for SF Signal, mainly with book reviews, but also some columns, Mind Melds and Podcasts, and I was beyond excited to see the site nominated for the first time for Best Fanzine, and Best Fancast (SF Signal Podcast). Likewise, it’s fantastic to have contributed a small part to such a fantastic site.
