#ditmar awards

[fromthedust]

NIVEN'S GARDEN GAME

Virginia slate, fossiliferous Indiana limestone, Georgia foliated serpentine/talc, sandblasted glass, brass, stoneware

10"x 14½"x 1½"

What I imagine the game might be like in the metaphorical interstellar garden of author Larry Niven . . . an homage.

Larry Niven is an American science fiction author whose best-known work is Ringworld, which received Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards. His work is primarily hard science fiction, using big science concepts and theoretical physics (see Freeman Dyson for the genesis of Ringworld). The creation of thoroughly worked-out alien species as protagonists in his novels is recognized as one of Niven's main strengths.

Larry Niven (American, b.1938 Los Angeles, California)

[tanaudel]

The paperback of the US edition of Flyaway (by me, and illustrated by me!) is now available for pre-order!

(And from 25-27 January 2023, B&N is offering 25% off preorders with code PREORDER25).

[petermball]

Eclectic Projects 005

Eclectic Projects returns after a short hiatus with four original short stories and more from Aurealis and Ditmar award-winning author Peter M. Ball. Dive into this issue to find: A young boy fighting to free his mother from the subterranean prison of the underesea in The Last Stairman.    Friendship and teenage angst put the test beneath hovering alien vessels in Life In The Shadow. A rockstar…

[fozmeadows]

I won a thing! :D #australiansff #sff #ditmars #award #fanwriting

[mynameistakengeez]

Ditmars, Oz SF awards

The Ditmar Award is Australia's oldest and best-known science fiction, fantasy and horror award. The 2020 nominations and results (listed in boldface) were announced yesterday: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ditmar_Award_results#2020:_Swancon_2020,_Perth

[rivqa]

CoNZealand schedule and Ditmar nomination

CoNZealand schedule and Ditmar nomination

[insert unnecessary apologies and obligatory platitudes about COVID-19]

I’m on two WorldCon panels this year, which is next week! One on science fantasy and one on medicine of the future. I’m looking forward to these. If you’re interested in joining in, you’ll need a CoNZealand membership.

I’m also pleased to announce that my story “Whom My Soul Loves” has been nominated for a Ditmar Award

[laurenmitchellwrites]

Awards and Accolades

Australian Science Fiction Foundation Amateur Short Story Competition 2014: won with ‘Latency’ (published in Continuum X conbook)

Bisexual Book Awards 2015, Erotic Fiction category: finalist with The Triad Trial, Less Than Three Press.

Ditmar Awards 2017, Best Collected Work category: co-winner with ‘Tea Party’ in Defying Doomsday, eds Tsana Dolichva and Holly Kench, Twelfth Planet Press.

The Norma K Hemming Award 2018: nominated with ‘Tea Party’ in Defying Doomsday, eds Tsana Dolichva and Holly Kench, Twelfth Planet Press.

Mitchell reminds us that anxiety and depression are also disabilities, and create complications for those trying to survive the apocalypse. [Their] story trades the general pessimism of this genre for bright optimism and reminds us that, though humans might die, humanity will survive.

The James Tiptree, Jr. Award 2018: Honor List: ‘Island, Ocean’ in Capricious Magazine: The Gender Diverse Pronouns Issue, ed. A. C. Buchanan

[zenashapter]

2017 Ditmar Awards – Nominations Open!

2017 Ditmar Awards – Nominations Open!

For anyone who doesn’t know, the Ditmar Awards celebrate achievements by Australians in speculative fiction writing. Nominations for the awards are currently open and can be made by anyone who (a) has been to a recent speculative fiction convention / event OR (b) is otherwise active in the speculative fiction world as a fan, writer, editor, etc. That means you! This is the one time you get a say!…

[tachyonpub]

The extraordinary Brian Aldiss was born 94 years ago

Photo: John Lawrence

Science Fiction Grandmaster Brian W. Aldiss’ prodigious output of over 100 books included the science-fiction masterpieces Hothouse, Greybeard, Frankenstein Unbound, The Malacia Tapestry, and the Helliconia Trilogy. The short story “Super-Toys Last All Summer Long” served as the basis for the Stanley Kubrick-developed Steven Spielberg-directed film A.I. Artificial Intelligence.

His numerous short stories and essays have been collected in Space, Time and Nathaniel, The Book of Brian Aldiss, Science Fiction Blues, Programme Book, Supertoys Last All Summer Long and Other Stories, CULTURAL BREAKS, The Invention of Happiness, The Brian Aldisss Collection: The Complete Short Stories, and many more. 

Among his several volumes of nonfiction are the pioneering book of science fiction criticism Billion Year Spree (revised as Trillion Year Spree [with David Wingrove]), ... And the Lurid Glare of the Comet, The Detached Retina: Aspects of SF and Fantasy, and An Exile on Planet Earth: Articles and Reflections. As an anthologist Aldiss produced many influential collections such as Penguin Science Fiction, Years Best Science Fiction (with Harry Harrison, Volumes 1-6), Space Opera, and A Science Fiction Omnibus. His amazing output included eight volumes of poetry. 

John Brunner, Brian Aldiss, Carol & Fred Pohl, and Walter Ernsting at LonCon II, the 1965 World Science Fiction Convention

Aldiss’ works garnered him a myriad of awards and accolades, including the Hugo, Nebula, Campbell, Locus, British Science Fiction, Ditmar, and Eaton awards. In 2005, he was awarded the title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to literature. The electronic pop duo Echoes In Rows released a song entitled “Brian Aldiss” in 2010.

For more info on CULTURAL BREAKS, visit the Tachyon page.

Cover by John Picacio

[annarellix]

Murder in Myrtle Bay by Isobel Blackthorn

When feature writer Ruth Finlay and her elderly neighbor Doris Cleaver visit an antique and collectibles market in the small town of Myrtle Bay, they get a lot more than they bargained for. After Ruth's old tennis coach is found dead, they discover that there's no lack of people who harbor a grudge against the victim, and a tangled web of family ties and lies begins to unravel. But can Ruth and Doris find the killer in time to avert a second murder? A quirky feel-good mystery laced with intrigue, Murder in Myrtle Bay is the first book in Isobel Blackthorn's 'Ruth Finlay Mysteries' series. Set in small town Australia, it is a sure pick for any fan of classic whodunits and cozy mysteries!

My Review: This is the entertaining and compelling start of a new cozy series. It’s set in Australia, one of the few set in this continent, and I thoroughly enjoyed as the mystery is solid and kept me guessing. Ruth and Doris are a well matched copy of detective as they are able to collaborate and share their skills. The setting is lovely and there’s plenty of mouth-watering descriptions of food. I read this book at the beginning of a very strict diet and I can tell you I suffered. This is the start of a new series and there will be soon another instalment as this story was very enjoyable and a good introduction to characters and setting. Many thanks to Isobel Blackthorn and Rachel's Random Resources for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

Purchase Links: UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Murder-Myrtle-Ruth-Finlay-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0B5VRZX2Q/ US - https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Myrtle-Ruth-Finlay-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0B5VRZX2Q/

The Author: Isobel Blackthorn is a prolific novelist of unique and engaging fiction. She writes across a range of genres, including gripping mysteries and dark psychological thrillers. The Unlikely Occultist: A biographical novel of Alice A. Bailey received an Honorable Mention in the 2021 Reader's Favorite book awards. A Prison in the Sun was shortlisted in the LGBTQ category of the 2021 International Book Awards and the 2020 Readers' Favorite Book Awards. Her short story 'Nothing to Declare' was shortlisted for the Ada Cambridge Prose Prize 2019. Her dark thriller A Legacy of Old Gran Parks won a Raven Award in 2019. The Cabin Sessions was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award 2018 and the Ditmar Awards 2018. Isobel holds a PhD in Western Esotericism from the University of Western Sydney for her ground-breaking study of the texts of Theosophist Alice A. Bailey. Her engagement with Alice Bailey’s life and works has culminated in the biographical novel The Unlikely Occultist and the full biography Alice A. Bailey: Life and Legacy. Isobel carries a lifelong passion for the Canary Islands, Spain, her former home. Five of her novels are set on the islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. These standalone mystery novels are setting rich and fall into the broad genre of travel fiction. Isobel has led a rich and interesting life and her stories are as diverse as her experiences, the highs and lows, and the dramas. A life-long campaigner for social justice, Isobel has written, protested and leant her weight to a range of issues including asylum seekers and family violence. A Londoner originally, Isobel currently lives in rural Victoria, Australia.

Social Media Links: https://twitter.com/IBlackthorn https://www.facebook.com/Lovesick.Isobel.Blackthorn/ www.isobelblackthorn.com https://twitter.com/IBlackthorn https://www.facebook.com/Lovesick.Isobel.Blackthorn/ www.isobelblackthorn.com

[astoriawest]

5 Common Questions To Ask Before Considering Luxury Astoria apartments for Rent

It’s only natural for you to have several questions before renting a luxury apartment. After all, most standard apartment leases are year-long. You don’t want to sign a rental agreement with any lingering doubts. Most people looking for rental apartments often think of Brooklyn or Manhattan. However, they sometimes overlook one excellent location - Astoria, Queens.

Astoria has emerged as one of the premier neighborhoods in Queens, NYC. Like neighboring Long Island City, Astoria has become a much-coveted neighborhood for many renters due to several reasons. The area is home to a culturally diverse demographic, making it a hotbed for fantastic food options and cultural exhibits.

A Rich History

It’s also a popular option with many renters in New York because of its storied history and museums. Numerous historic landmarks exist within the neighborhood, including the Astoria Park War Memorial. The park itself - bordered by Ditmars Avenue and Hoyt Avenue - also features an Olympic-sized swimming pool for visitors to enjoy during the summers. 

Other points of interest include the Steinway Mansion where the famous piano makers were raised and the Steinway Clocks on Steinway Street - for those who prefer an off-the-beaten-path experience.

A Cinephile’s Dream

Cinephiles will also revel in joy after discovering Henry Hill’s house in GoodFellas - the critically acclaimed cinematic masterpiece from Queen’s very own Martin Scorcese (Born in flushing). Likewise, you will also enjoy a trip to the Museum of Moving Image located on 35th St. Kaufman Studios (Home of Sesame Street)  is another popular landmark for cinephiles to visit on 36th St. The studio was initially constructed in 1920; however, serving as the setting for blockbuster movies like Gone With the Wind and Titanic make it a historic production studio.

 An Ideally Located Neighborhood

Another reason behind the neighborhood’s burgeoning popularity is its location on the map. The Upper East Side lies across the river from Astoria’s stunning and iconic waterfront development in LIC and Hallett’s Point.

In addition, the New York Ferry system connects Astoria to other districts, like Roosevelt Island on the East River and the Brooklyn Navy Yard - home to over 500 businesses and employing more than 11,000 people. 

The neighborhood is also well-connected to other parts of Queens, like Jackson Heights and East Elmhurst through the 31st Ave. Real estate in the area has become a hotbed for buyers because it provides an easy commute to Long Island City, Midtown Manhattan, and Brooklyn.

A Shopper’s Paradise

Astoria also has some fantastic shopping options. Broadway and Ditmars have emerged as shopping hubs, including Lockwood Style and the Brass Owl. 

A Foodie’s Delight

The neighborhood is also home to some must-try eateries, particularly for food lovers and gastronomes. 

Sweet Afton (30th Avenue) and The Bonnie (Just off the Ditmars stop on the N) are critically acclaimed gastro-pubs with outdoor dining. An evening here, sipping on your favorite cocktail, sangria, or craft beer, is a chance to meet your neighbors and make a few new friends.

The Last Word is another speakeasy located on 43rd St. which was started by the same folks who created Raine’s Law room in Manhattan so expect the best cocktails in the neighborhood.

Hoja Santa is a Mexican restaurant on the corner of  30th Ave and 41st St. It is a neighborhood favorite because of its vibrant dishes and easygoing ambiance.  

The Rooftop Bar at the Boro Hotel on 27th St. is a crowd-pleaser with unparalleled views of NYC’s iconic skyline. 

Time Out New York also recently awarded 30th Ave the “coolest street in New York” distinction.

Whether you’re looking for a spacious studio apartment, one-bedroom or a larger 2 bedroom, you’ll want to ensure you ask your potential landlord some common questions. These include:

How Long is the Rental Agreement?

As we stated above, most standard rental agreements run for twelve months but you may find that a longer lease could garner you a better price or at the very least lock in a 

Do I have to Pay Broker Fees?

In a housing market as competitive as New York City’s, most tenants have to pay broker’s fees when renting an apartment. While that’s especially true for Brooklyn and Manhattan apartments, Astoria is slightly different. You’re more likely to find no-fee apartments in Astoria and LIC with new units coming online every month.

Is It Pet Friendly?

Americans love their pets. Whether you’re more of a dog person or a cat lover, you don’t want to move into an apartment that doesn’t accommodate your beloved four-legged friends. Hence, it’s a good idea to inquire if the property you’re surveying is pet-friendly or not. If the answer’s no, you might want to consider other pet-friendly apartments in the neighborhood. Historically, Astoria has always been a safe location with numerous pet-friendly apartments. 

Does It Have the Necessary Amenities? 

The Winter season in New York can be a challenging time. The last thing you want to do is take your laundry to a laundromat while battling the elements. Likewise, the New York summers can be hot and humid. You don’t want to be cooped up in your apartment without central air conditioning. Ideally, you’ll want an apartment that features an in-unit washer and dryer. In addition, ask if the building features a fitness center you can privately book for working out. 

Does It Have Enough Space for Your Needs?

Cramped apartments are a hallmark of New York City, especially Manhattan and Brooklyn. You’ll want to avoid those issues by seeking an apartment with a well-designed floor plan. Whether your needs call for a studio apartment or a three-bedroom apartment, you’ll want to add a spacious floor plan to the top of your list. 

Find the Ideal Rental Apartment in Astoria West NYC

Are you looking for Astoria apartments for rent? Astoria West NYC is a new Corcoran development that offers 534 units from the studio, one-bedroom apartments, and two-bedroom apartments to fit any lifestyle and is a fair housing company. In addition, Astoria West also offers over 40,000 sqft of indoor and outdoor amenities. Astoria West is located between 30th Rd. and 31st St, a stone’s throw away from Hallets Cove Beach, Queens. 

[thebooknearme]

MAGE OF FOOLS by Eugen Bacon (March 14 thru 25, Book Tour) (Book Review)

Welcome, welcome! Make yourself at home. Yes! This is the book tour for the long awaited MAGE OF FOOLS, by Eugen Bacon, the same author that created the very masterpiece, Claiming T-Mo.. I am super excited, so without further ado, let’s get to it —

RELEASE DATE: March 15, 2022

GENRE: Speculative Fiction / Dystopian / Afrofuturist

BOOK PAGE: Mage of Fools – Meerkat Press

SUMMARY: In the dystopian world of Mafinga, Jasmin must contend with a dictator’s sorcerer to cleanse the socialist state of its deadly pollution.

Mafinga's malevolent king dislikes books and, together with his sorcerer Atari, has collapsed the environment to almost uninhabitable. The sun has killed all the able men, including Jasmin’s husband Godi. But Jasmin has Godi’s secret story machine that tells of a better world, far different from the wastelands of Mafinga. Jasmin’s crime for possessing the machine and its forbidden literature filled with subversive text is punishable by death. Fate grants a cruel reprieve in the service of a childless queen who claims Jasmin’s children as her own. Jasmin is powerless—until she discovers secrets behind the king and his sorcerer.

BUY LINKS:  Meerkat Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

BOOK REVIEW: As a long-time fan of Claiming T-Mo, I was more than excited to review this new highly-anticipated work, MAGE OF FOOLS. When I started becoming a book reviewer, not many publishers would offer a free ARC — much less a physical one. I will always owe a lot to Meerkat Press!

Claiming T-Mo is not only of my favorite books; it is also the second ARC I received when I launched this thingamajig one calls a blog. It is not a lot on the surface.. However, time and effort is pushed (tirelessly) out that people rarely think of.

Again, a huge thanks to Meerkat Press and Eugen Bacon for giving me an opportunity — so without further ado, let us get into it!

Speculative fiction is one of those lesser-known genres not many people are willing to try out, much less read a book on.

What's so captivating about Bacon's work is her purpose, the characters, the story, and the world-building. All done with extraordinary detail and description, which can be understandingly hard to describe for someone unfamiliar from Bacon's books.

There's a reason why I had to reread Claiming T-Mo!

While I can sympathize with readers turned off by the dominant complexity of the piece itself, MAGE OF FOOLS is a gem worthy of 4.75. It's something you should check out, especially if you're looking to branch out! Specifically, I was awed at the natures of Jasmin, the queen, and Atari. Jasmin, our main protagonist, is a mother of two children who get(s) captured for using a forbidden story machine. The queen, a soft-spoken but deadly, feminine royal under Atari's control, Atari being an alien with regenerate powers, seeks to destroy civilian kind by mining. It's the relationship dynamic, emotional / avoidant situations, and let's not forget, epic world-building that causes a satisfying "end"

In conclusion, I loved it! Expect a slow start and whoosh! You'll be done in a couple of days. Highly recommended 😊

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Eugen Bacon is African Australian, a computer scientist mentally re-engineered into creative writing. She’s the author of Claiming T-Mo by Meerkat Press and Writing Speculative Fiction by Red Globe Press, Macmillan. Eugen’s work has won, been shortlisted, longlisted or commended in national and international awards, including the Bridport Prize, Copyright Agency Prize, Australian Shadows Awards, Ditmar Awards and Nommo Award for Speculative Fiction by Africans.

Website   |  Twitter  | Facebook

GIVEAWAY: $50 Meerkat Giftcard

GIVEAWAY LINK: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/7f291bd831/?

EXCERPT: It happens in slow motion. Jasmin runs inside the castle that stands atop a hill. She races up the winding staircase, hands moving along its mahogany rail shimmering with sheen. The Heidi dress she’s wearing, a flowing thing that plunges down her waist and touches just above her knees, rises and falls with her running. No belt, just front buttons going down, down. She lights up a flight, up another, up, up. She rises with such thrill, such rush, all the way to the nursery in the northeast tower of the marble-coated monolith.

She flings herself into the rotary room—it slowly moves, revolves: a sundial or a snail-paced merry-go-round. It’s a tavern with faint music in the background, an odd melody. The hiss of a snake, a soft clash of cymbals. Arched doorways, pillars rimmed with gold. Bracelets of orange-flamed candles at half-mast. Along the walls, dimly lit paintings inside veils of cloud, each with a version of the Garden of Eden: Eve leaning toward a behemoth serpent. Eve offering a glowing red apple to Adam. Eve and Adam running naked from an ash-haired god—a voluptuous woman full of breasts.

Jasmin catches sight of the children and her heart swells. Two-year-old Mia in her unicorn pajama set, tiny shorts and a T-shirt. Four-year-old Omar in his all-over flying dragon jammies. They lie on the floor, head-to-head, as the nursery spins.

“My goatlings.”

Mia puckers up at the sight of Jasmin. Omar’s eyes fill with reproach. Days and days of their mother’s absence. She drops to her knees, throws her arms wide. The children yank out of their moment, soar within reach, fall into her breast.

. . . Pause.

Pause for a moment because that’s not the beginning of the story. Rewind, back, back down the stairs. Jasmin tearing backward, down a flight, down another, down, down. Her rush, her thrill ebbing, as she moves away from the nursery, out of the castle with its white walls and white doors, mirrors everywhere. She walks backward along light-splashed lawns and their gardens full of bloodred flowers. She moves, not at a furious pace—just faster than slow. Back, back beyond the Ujamaa monuments of togetherness, sculpted hands of a village holding aloft a naked, black toddler with fat legs and plump cheeks. Back past the courthouse and its long windows, golden drapes in hourglass shapes, bound at the waist by melancholy ribbons. The courthouse splashed with lights from a trail of monster eyes hanging off the ceiling. A dais where the royals sit to give judgment. People go through the entryway peaked with spikes, they never walk out.

Rewind all the way to the egg shuttle—it has no wings—where you enter coordinates into the console and the vessel takes you for an intergalactic ride. The same shuttle that once saw the Neutral Zone, where you gazed at planets like Peridot and Tourmaline and they blinked brighter than jewelry. The shuttle that once lived in the land of Exomoon that had no shortage of xeriscape plants. Its wild blooms, cacti and succulents. Its sky of gargantuan rings by day, tiny moons by night. There, citizens changed color in more spectrum than chameleons.

Same shuttle that airlifts Jasmin to her execution.

Granite enters Jasmin’s stomach as the vessel glides to height, then bullets forward. As the starlit night stretches into the horizon, Jasmin is a prisoner in a silent egg in the sky. She looks down and sees the people of Ujamaa Village in a gather. They gaze up at the egg flickering with incandescent lights as it climbs higher into the skyline with its cargo. Jasmin wonders if, on the face of it, despite the crowd’s helplessness, some question what dies, what lives, and the power of a crowd. She wonders if, one day, a turning point will swing without warning in Mafinga. And when that happens if the same mob—that now stands with limp hands and gazes with bleak eyes at dusk and the egg soaring up the sky toward its scatter of stars—will reach the edge of its stupor, finally tremble and come to life in a murmur that lights to a roar.

[oceansidemuseumofart]

Downtown Oceanside’s vibrant Farmers Market is the site for one of the organized paint out events during this summer’s Plein Air Festival July 24-31. Artists of all skill levels are invited to participate and enjoy a number of art sales opportunities as well as submit for awards and the juried exhibition to be on view August 1–October 10. Festival registrants receive a 25% discount and have exclusive early access for ticketed workshops to paint alongside featured artists Mark Fehlman (@markfehlman), Danny Griego (@danny.griego), Margaret Larlham (@larlham), and Shuang Li (@shuangli.artist) as well as a lecture with the esteemed Jean Stern. Space is limited, so register for your favorites early. Click on link in bio or visit bit.ly/2021-pa for details and to register now through April 30 at a reduced rate before prices increase May 1. #pleinairpainting #pleinairpaintings #pleinairpainter #pleinairpainters #pleinairartist #pleinairartists #pleinairdrawing #pleinairsketch #pleinairsketching #urbansketchers #pleinairoilpainting #pleinairwatercolor #pleinairart #enpleinair #pleinair #allaprima #allaprimapainting #allaprimaoilpainting #paintoutside #outdoorpainting #outdoorpainter #pleinairfestival #omapleinair #letsgetoside #osidebeatsinside #Repost from @mainstreetoceanside . TODAY! Don’t miss #marketday in #downtownoceanside. Shop and support local farmers and vendors, along with neighboring Downtown businesses, at the no-touch Oceanside Morning Farmers Market. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Pier View Way from Ditmar Street to Tremont Street across North Coast Highway, @mainstreetoceanside’s farmers market is operating in three socially distanced sections. Face coverings are required. This Thursday is the final day to visit the Green Oceanside booth between sections A and B to learn about the Mayor's Challenge for Sustainability, which runs through April 30. Find out more about at @oceanside_water and mainstreetoceanside.com/earthmonth. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/3nxhpAm

[petermball]

Eclectic Projects 005 Ebook

Eclectic Projects returns after a short hiatus with four original short stories and more from Aurealis and Ditmar award-winning author Peter M. Ball. Dive into this issue to find: A young boy fighting to free his mother from the subterranean prison of the underesea in The Last Stairman.    Friendship and teenage angst put the test beneath hovering alien vessels in Life In The Shadow. A rockstar…

[fozmeadows]

I didn’t know until today that the Hugos have a fan writer category and that you’ve been nominated several times! As a lifelong fanfic writer, I was curious what it represents, how one is nominated, etc. because it always felt like fanfic was being looked down on in such circles. Do you have a moment to discuss your experience? I completely understand if not.

Sure! So, first off, the Fan Writer category isn’t unique to the Hugos: I’ve won a Ditmar Award for Best Fan Writer and been nominated for it another two times, and those aren’t the only awards with such a category; and the Hugos also have a Fan Artist award. But while I both write and love fanfic, that’s not what Best Fan Writer is about. Rather, it traditionally refers to critical fan writing, like reviews, blogs and essays, that appear in low or non-paying publications, whether in print or online. That’s the type of thing for which I’ve been nominated, and it’s lovely to see that work recognised. 

As best I can tell, the rules define fan writing as works “related to” science fiction and fantasy, as opposed to works of science fiction and fantasy, so while you could make an argument that real world AUs of SFF narratives would count as being “related to,” I’m not sure the same would hold for anything set in world, and that’s before you factor in the copyright issues.The use of the word ‘fan’ in the category title is traditionally meant to distinguish the award as going to non-professional writers, or professional writers working for little or no pay - in the case of artworks, this is more apparent in the contrast with a category like Best Professional Artist vs Best Fan Artist, with the difference hinged on where their works appear and how much money, if any, they make from them. Similarly, I would argue, the professional writing equivalent of the Fan Writer award would be Best Related Work.

All that being said, while there are certainly many people in the SFF establishment who disdain fanfic as a concept, I’m also aware of a great number who love and encourage it. Off the top of my head, I know that Neil Gaiman, Seanan McGuire, Mark Oshiro and Lev Grossman are all pro-fanfic, so while there isn’t presently an award category devoted to it as a writing medium, it’s still a thing we know about and love.  

[rivqa]

Mother of all award ceremonies

Mother of all award ceremonies

(Yes, I am going to beat that pun into a dead mixed metaphor.)

This week I returned from Continuum 15, where I had the usual fabulous time of attending and presenting on panels, and hanging out in the bar with friends. The undeniable highlight, however, was Mother of Invention taking out three awards:

the Norma K. Hemming Awardfor excellence in the exploration of themes of race,…