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Category Archives: Awards

Reposted from the HWA blog:

At long last, the anticipation is over. The Horror Writers Association announced the winners of the 2011 Bram Stoker Awards™ at its annual awards banquet. This year’s presentation was held in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the World Horror Convention, and marks the 25th Anniversary of the awards.

Twelve new bronze haunted-house statuettes were handed over to the writers responsible for creating superior works of horror last year. This year’s winners are:

Superior Achievement in a NOVEL
Flesh Eaters by Joe McKinney (Pinnacle Books)

Superior Achievement in a FIRST NOVEL
Isis Unbound by Allyson Bird (Dark Regions Press)

Superior Achievement in a YOUNG ADULT NOVEL (tie)
The Screaming Season by Nancy Holder (Razorbill)
Dust and Decay by Jonathan Maberry (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

Superior Achievement in a GRAPHIC NOVEL
Neonomicon by Alan Moore (Avatar Press)

Superior Achievement in LONG FICTION
“The Ballad of Ballard and Sandrine” by Peter Straub (Conjunctions: 56)

Superior Achievement in SHORT FICTION
“Herman Wouk Is Still Alive” by Stephen King (The Atlantic Magazine, May 2011)

Superior Achievement in a SCREENPLAY
American Horror Story, episode #12: “Afterbirth” by Jessica Sharzer (20th Century Fox Television)

Superior Achievement in a FICTION COLLECTION
The Corn Maiden and Other Nightmares by Joyce Carol Oates (Mysterious Press)

Superior Achievement in an ANTHOLOGY
Demons: Encounters with the Devil and his Minions, Fallen Angels and the Possessed edited by John Skipp (Black Dog and Leventhal)

Superior Achievement in NON-FICTION
Stephen King: A Literary Companion by Rocky Wood (McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers)

Superior Achievement in a POETRY COLLECTION
How to Recognize a Demon Has Become Your Friend by Linda Addison (Necon Ebooks)

Works can be recommended by any member of the HWA. Juries in each category also compile their top picks, and members with Active status then vote works from both the member recommendations and the jury selections onto a preliminary ballot. From there the field is narrowed to the final ballot and Active members choose the winners from that. The award is named for Bram Stoker, best known as the author of Dracula. The trophy, which resembles a miniature haunted house, was designed by author Harlan Ellison and sculptor Steven Kirk.

Vampire Novel of the Century Award

HWA, in conjunction with the Bram Stoker Family Estate and the Rosenbach Museum & Library, also presented the special one-time only Vampire Novel of the Century Award to: Richard Matheson for his modern classic I Am Legend.

This award was voted on by a jury chaired by Dracula expert Leslie S. Klinger and was sponsored by Jeremy Wagner.

Lifetime Achievement and Specialty Press Awards

In addition, HWA presented its annual Lifetime Achievement Awards and its Specialty Press Awards. Rick Hautala and Joe R. Lansdale were both on hand to accept their Lifetime Achievement Awards.

The Specialty Press Awards went to Derrick Hussey of Hippocampus Press and Roy Robbins of Bad Moon Books.

Silver Hammer and President’s Richard Laymon Service Awards

The Silver Hammer Award, for outstanding service to HWA, was voted by the organization’s board of trustees to Guy Anthony DeMarco.

The President’s Richard Laymon Service Award was given to HWA co-founder Karen Lansdale.

Samhain Publishing served as the Platinum Sponsor for the event.

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America awarded Clarence Howard ‘Bud’ Webster the 2012 Service to SFWA Award for his outstanding work on behalf of the organization.

Bud has had a long history in the science fiction and fantasy community. He is a contributing editor and columnist for the SFWA Bulletin, the poetry editor of Black Gate Magazine, and well-known for the Bubba Pritchert series, published by Analog Science Fiction and Fact magazine. However, it is his work with the Estate Project that SFWA particularly wishes to acknowledge with this award.

The Estate Project is designed to track and distribute information pertaining to deceased members of the community. Bud has worked extensively with agents, executors and heirs to track this valuable information. Due to his patience and perseverance, this information is now available to the industry at large.

Greg Bear, Drew Magary, China Miéville, Jane Rogers, Charles Stross and Sheri S. Tepper are the six authors shortlisted for this year’s Arthur C. Clarke Award, the UK’s premier prize for science fiction literature.

The six shortlisted books are:

  • Greg Bear, Hull Zero Three (Gollancz)
  • Drew Magary, The End Specialist (Harper Voyager)
  • China Miéville, Embassytown (Macmillan)
  • Jane Rogers, The Testament of Jessie Lamb (Sandstone Press)
  • Charles Stross, Rule 34 (Orbit)
  • Sheri S.Tepper, The Waters Rising (Gollancz)

This year’s six shortlisted titles were selected from a long list of 60 eligible submissions put forward by twenty-five different publishing houses and imprints.

The winner will be announced on Wednesday May 2nd at an award ceremony held in partnership SCI-FI-LONDON Film Festival. More information is available at the award web site.

Finalists have been announced for the 2011 Aurealis Awards, honoring SF, fantasy, and horror by Australians. Winners will be announced on May 12, 2012 at the 17th Annual Aurealis Awards ceremony at the Independent Theatre in North Sydney, Australia. Details at the Aurealis Awards website. For further information about the awards please contact the convenors at convenors@aurealisawards.com.

Best Science Fiction Novel

  • Machine Man, Max Barry (Scribe)
  • Children of Scarabaeus, Sara Creasy (Harper Voyager)
  • The Waterboys, Peter Docker (Fremantle)
  • Black Glass, Meg Mundell (Scribe)
  • The Courier’s New Bicycle, Kim Westwood (Harper Voyager)

Best Science Fiction Short Story

  • “Flowers in the Shadow of the Garden”, Joanne Anderton (Hope)
  • “Desert Madonna”, Robert Hood (Anywhere but Earth)
  • “SIBO”, Penelope Love (Anywhere but Earth)
  • “Dead Low”, Cat Sparks (Midnight Echo)
  • “Rains of la Strange”, Robert N. Stephenson (Anywhere but Earth)

Best Fantasy Novel

  • The Undivided, Jennifer Fallon (Harper Voyager)
  • Ember and Ash, Pamela Freeman (Hachette)
  • Stormlord’s Exile, Glenda Larke (Harper Voyager)
  • Debris, Jo Anderton (Angry Robot)
  • The Shattered City, Tansy Rayner Roberts (Harper Voyager)

Best Fantasy Short Story

  • “Fruit of the Pipal Tree”, Thoraiya Dyer (After the Rain)
  • “The Proving of Smollett Standforth”, Margo Lanagan (Ghosts by Gaslight)
  • “Into the Clouds on High”, Margo Lanagan (Yellowcake)
  • “Reading Coffee”, Anthony Panegyris (Overland)
  • “The Dark Night of Anton Weiss”, D.C. White (More Scary Kisses)

Best Horror Novel

No Shortlist or Winning Novel – Two Honorable Mentions Awarded to:

  • The Broken Ones, Stephen M. Irwin (Hachette)
  • The Business of Death, Trent Jamieson (Hachette)

Best Horror Short Story

  • “And the Dead Shall Outnumber the Living”, Deborah Biancotti (Ishtar)
  • “The Past is a Bridge Best Left Burnt”, Paul Haines (The Last Days of Kali Yuga)
  • “The Short Go: a Future in Eight Seconds”, Lisa L. Hannett (Bluegrass Symphony)
  • “Mulberry Boys”, Margo Lanagan (Blood and Other Cravings)
  • “The Coffin Maker’s Daughter”, Angela Slatter (A Book of Horrors)

Best Young Adult Novel

  • Shift, Em Bailey (Hardie Grant Egmont)
  • Secrets of Carrick: Tantony, Ananda Braxton-Smith (black dog)
  • The Shattering, Karen Healey (Allen & Unwin)
  • Black Glass, Meg Mundell (Scribe)
  • Only Ever Always, Penni Russon (Allen & Unwin)

Young Adult Short Story

  • “Nation of the Night”, Sue Isle (Nightsiders)
  • “Finishing School”, Kathleen Jennings (Steampunk)
  • “Seventy-Two Derwents”, Cate Kennedy (The Wicked Wood: Tales from the Tower Volume 2)
  • “One Window”, Martine Murray (The Wilful Eye: Tales from the Tower Volume 1)
  • “The Patrician”, Tansy Rayner Roberts (Love and Romanpunk)

Best Children’s Fiction (told primarily through words)

  • The Outcasts, John Flanagan (Random House Australia)
  • The Paradise Trap, Catherine Jinks (Allen & Unwin)
  • “It Began with a Tingle”, Thalia Kalkapsakis (Headspinners, Allen & Unwin)
  • The Coming of the Whirlpool, Andrew McGahan (Allen & Unwin)
  • City of Lies, Lian Tanner (Allen & Unwin)

Best Children’s Fiction (told primarily through pictures)

  • The Ghost of Annabel Spoon, Aaron Blabey (author and illustrator) (Viking)
  • Sounds Spooky, Christopher Cheng (author) & Sarah Davis (illustrator (Random House Australia)
  • The Last Viking, Norman Jorgensen (author) & James Foley (illustrator) (Fremantle)
  • The Deep: Here be Dragons, Tom Taylor (author) & James Brouwer (illustrator) (Gestault)
  • Vampyre, Margaret Wild (author) & Andrew Yeo (illustrator) (Walker)

Best Collection

  • Bad Power, Deborah Biancotti (Twelfth Planet)
  • Last Days of Kali Yuga, Paul Haines (Brimstone)
  • Bluegrass Symphony, Lisa Hanett (Ticonderoga)
  • Nightsiders, Sue Isle (Twelfth Planet)
  • Love and Romanpunk, Tansy Rayner Roberts (Twelfth Planet)

Best Anthology

  • Ghosts by Gaslight, Jack Dann & Nick Gevers, eds. (HarperVoyager)
  • Year’s Best Australian Fantasy and Horror 2010, Liz Grzyb & Talie Helene, eds. (Ticonderoga)
  • Ishtar, Amanda Pillar & K.V. Taylor, eds. (Gilgamesh)
  • The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year: Volume 5, Jonathan Strahan, ed. (Night Shade)
  • Life on Mars, Jonathan Strahan, ed. (Viking)

Best Illustrated Book/Graphic Novel

  • Hidden, Mirranda Burton (author and illustrator) (Black Pepper)
  • Torn, Andrew Constant (author) & Joh James (illustrator) additional illustrators Nicola Scott, Emily Smith (Gestalt)
  • Salsa Invertebraxa, Mozchops (author and illustrator) (Pecksniff)
  • The Eldritch Kid: Whiskey and Hate, Christian Read (author) & Michael Maier (illustrator) (Gestalt)
  • The Deep: Here be Dragons, Tom Taylor (author) & James Brouwer (illustrator) (Gestalt)

The five Philip K. Dick Award judges for distinguished science fiction published in paperback original format in the United States in the 2012 award year are:

  • Bruce Bethke
  • Sydney Duncan
  • Daryl Gregory
  • Bridget McKenna
  • Paul Witcover

Publishers who issue eligible titles during the calendar year 2012 are encouraged to provide copies to each of the judges as the books are published during the year.  (All works of science fiction published originally in the United States as paperbacks during the year 2012 are eligible.) The nominees will be announced in January 2013.

The Philip K. Dick Award is presented annually with the support of the Philip K. Dick Trust for distinguished science fiction published in paperback original form in the United States.  The award is sponsored by the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society and the award ceremony is sponsored by the NorthWest Science Fiction Society.  The 2010 award was given to THE STRANGE AFFAIR OF SPRING HEELED JACK by Mark Hodder (Pyr) with a special citation to HARMONY by Project Itoh (Haikasoru).  The 2011 awards will be announced at Norwescon 35 on April 6, 2012.

For more information, contact the award administration:

Gordon Van Gelder (201) 876-2551
John Silbersack (212) 333-1513
Pat Lo Brutto (845) 516-4412

For more information about the Philip K. Dick Trust: http://www.philipkdick.com

For more information about the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society, http://www.psfs.org/:

Contact Gary Feldbaum (215) 665-5752

For more information about Norwescon,  http://www.norwescon.org/:

Contact NorthWest SF Society: (425) 686-9737

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America are pleased to announce Octavia Butler and John Clute as the recipients of the Solstice Awards for 2012. The Solstice Awards are granted to up to three persons, living or dead, who have consistently had a positive, transformative influence on the genre of science fiction and fantasy.

Octavia Butler (June 22, 1947 – February 24, 2006 ) was a giant in the field of science fiction and fantasy; her work was awarded Nebula and Hugo awards, and she was the first science fiction writer to be granted the MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant. Butler’s fiction delved into sociological, political and religious issues, explored gender, sexuality and cultural identity. She looked for the problems in the world, and tried to find answers and solutions. Butler’s works include the Nebula Award winning novel Parable of the Talents, Fledgling, Kindred, the Patternist series, the Lilith’s Brood series and numerous short stories.

Butler passed away in 2006. SFWA is proud to posthumously award her the Solstice Award for her influence in science fiction and fantasy.

John Clute (born 1940) is a Canadian-born author and critic. Clute’s most notable contribution to the field consists of his work on a trio of reference works: the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, the Encyclopedia of Fantasy, and the Illustrated Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, all of which won Hugo Awards in the category of Best Related Work. Clute is also the author of several collections of criticism and critical essays on the genre, as well as the 2001 space opera, Appleseed, which was listed by the New York Times as a Notable Book for the year.

The Solstice Awards were created to acknowledge members who have had a significant impact on the science fiction and fantasy landscape. It is especially meant for those who have made a consistent, positive, major difference in the genre.

The award is given at the discretion of the president, with the majority approval of the SFWA Board of Directors. Up to three awards may be presented each year, awarded to any person, living or deceased, with the exception of recipients of the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award, or those who have been named Author Emeritus. Both members and non-members are eligible.

The Solstice Awards have previously been awarded to Alice B. Sheldon/James Tiptree Jr, Michael Whelan, Kate Wilhelm, Tom Doherty, Terri Windling and Donald A. Wolheim

The 47th Annual Nebula Awards Weekend

The awards will be presented at SFWA’s 47th Annual Nebula Awards Weekend, to be held Thursday through Sunday, May 17 to May 20, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia, near Reagan National Airport. As announced earlier this year, Connie Willis will be the recipient of the 2011 Damon Knight Grand Master Award for her lifetime contributions and achievements in the field. Walter Jon Williams will preside as toastmaster, with Astronaut Michael Fincke as keynote speaker.

Founded in 1965 by the late Damon Knight, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America brings together the most successful and daring writers of speculative fiction throughout the world.

Since its inception, SFWA® has grown in numbers and influence until it is now widely recognized as one of the most effective non-profit writers’ organizations in existence, boasting a membership of approximately 1,800 science fiction and fantasy writers as well as artists, editors and allied professionals.  Each year the organization presents the prestigious Nebula Awards® for the year’s best literary and dramatic works of speculative fiction.

SFWA did an interview of last year’s ICFA guest of honor and this year’s Nebula Award winner! Take a look at the SFWA website.

The Heinlein Society is pleased to announce that for the 2012-2013 academic year we will be offering the first of many scholarships. There will be two $500 scholarships awarded to undergraduate students of accredited 4-year colleges and universities majoring in engineering, math, or physical sciences (e.g. physics, chemistry), or in Science Fiction as Literature. Applicants will need to submit a 500-1,000 word essay on one of several available topics.

To apply, fill out the form below and print or email. Deadline is May 15, 2012.

Heinlein Society 2012 Scholarship Application

(If your browser has compatibility issues, right-click and download the form)
  1. Deadline for scholarship applications is May 15, 2012.
  2. Refer to criteria below for eligibility requirements.
  3. Refer to application process below for a list of the supporting documents needed (i.e., reference forms, essay, etc.
  4. Please type or print legibly.
  5. If you have any questions about the application, please email scholarships@heinleinsociety.org.

Purpose: To provide scholarship to 2 deserving full time students attending a four-year college.

Award Components: Two (2) $500 scholarships awarded to students selected by the Heinlein Society Scholarship Committee.

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Applicant must be a full time undergraduate student enrolled in an accredited college that awards Bachelor of Science or Arts degrees.
  2. Major must be Science Fiction as Literature or Engineering, Math or Physical Sciences (e.g. Physics, Chemistry).
  3. Open to residents of any country.

Application Process

Applicant must submit the following items:

  1. Completed application form (if handwritten, please print legibly)
  2. A brief explanation of career goals and biographical (background) information.
  3. A 500 – 1,000 word essay on one of the following subjects:
    1. How Robert Heinlein affected my career choice.
    2. My favorite Robert Heinlein story and why.
    3. The importance of space exploration to the future of the human race.

Deadline for the application is May 15, 2012. Applications postmarked or emailed after this date will not be considered.

Please mail completed application to:
The Heinlein Society
3553 Atlantic Ave. #341
Long Beach, CA 90807-5606

or email to: scholarships@heinleinsociety.org

Heinlein Society 2012 Scholarship Application

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America is proud to announce the nominees for the 2011 Nebula Awards (presented 2012), the nominees for the Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation, and the nominees for the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy Book.

Novel

Novella

Novelette

Short Story

Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation

  • Attack the Block, Joe Cornish (writer/director) (Optimum Releasing; Screen Gems)
  • Captain America: The First Avenger, Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely (writers), Joe Johnston (director) (Paramount)
  • Doctor Who: “The Doctor’s Wife,” Neil Gaiman (writer), Richard Clark (director) (BBC Wales)
  • Hugo, John Logan (writer), Martin Scorsese (director) (Paramount)
  • Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen (writer/director) (Sony)
  • Source Code, Ben Ripley (writer), Duncan Jones (director) (Summit)
  • The Adjustment Bureau, George Nolfi (writer/director) (Universal)

 Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy Book

The winners will be announced at SFWA’s 47th Annual Nebula Awards Weekend, to be held Thursday through Sunday, May 17 to May 20, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia, near Reagan National Airport. As announced earlier this year, Connie Willis will be the recipient of the 2011 Damon Knight Grand Master Award for her lifetime contributions and achievements in the field. Walter Jon Williams will preside as toastmaster, with Astronaut Michael Fincke as keynote speaker.

The Nebula Awards are voted on, and presented by, active members of  SFWA. Voting will open to SFWA Active members on March 1 and close on March 30.  More information on voting is available here.

Founded in 1965 by the late Damon Knight, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America brings together the most successful and daring writers of speculative fiction throughout the world.

Since its inception, SFWA® has grown in numbers and influence until it is now widely recognized as one of the most effective non-profit writers’ organizations in existence, boasting a membership of approximately 2,000 science fiction and fantasy writers as well as artists, editors and allied professionals.  Each year the organization presents the prestigious Nebula Awards® for the year’s best literary and dramatic works of speculative fiction.

Here’s the list that includes the winner, the runners-up and the honorable mentions for the 2012 Dell Magazines Award for Undergraduate Excellent in Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing. An all-time high in both total number of submissions and in quality, which was really amazing. Lots of worthy stories didn’t make the list.

Winner, Runners-up and Honorable Mentions for the 2012 Award

Winner: “Superposition” by Rebekah Baldridge, Newman University

First Runner-up: “Halcyon Days” by Madeline Stevens, Bennington College

Second Runner-up: “The Taste of Salt” by Rachel Halpern, Grinnell College

Third Runner-up (tie): “The Writ of Years” by Brit Mandelo, University of Louisville

“Opus No. 4: Duet for Expressionism and Absinthe” by Anthony Powers, Wright State University

“The Case of the Smitten Magician” by Lara Donnelly, Wright State University

Honorable Mentions:

“Ilse, Who Saw Clearly” by E. Lily Yu, Princeton University

“The Sister Kite” by Rebecca McNulty, College of New Jersey