By now, the whole world knows who won the Nebula Awards. But just in case you’ve been under a rock somewhere, the winners were:
- Short story: “Ponies” by Kij Johnson and “How Interesting, A Tiny Man” by Harlan Ellison (TIE)
- Novelette: “That Leviathan Whom Thou Hast Made” by Eric James Stone
- Novella: “The Lady Who Plucked Red Flowers Beneath the Queen’s Window” by Rachel Swirsky
- Novel: Blackout/All Clear by Connie Willis
- Bradbury Award went to Inception
- Andre Norton Award went to I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett
- Service to SFWA Award went to John E. Johnston, III
- Solstice Awards went to Alice Sheldon/James Tiptree, Jr. and Michael Whelan
Our table had an award winner. Michael Whelan and his wife sat with us and that was a little bit overwhelming. Kelly and Michael’s wife hit it off and talked about pregnancy and babies and kids the whole time. But I can remember spending my hard earned coin in college on The Art of Michael Whelan and it was disconcerting to think that now I was sitting a table having dinner with him. Also at our table was Mike Zipser and his wife, the latter being the one who put the whole banquet together. Ellen Asher was also at our table.
When we got to the hotel the cocktail hour had just started. We saw Steven Silver in his tuxedo, and I proceeded to introduce Kelly to various people. I introduced her first to Scott Edelman because I’m not sure Scott really believed she existed. Gordon van Gelder was with Scott when so both Kelly and I got to meet him as well. We saw Alethea Kontis, and Mary Robinette Kowal. I introduced her to Allen Steele and while we were chatting Geoffrey Landis joined us. I knew who he was but he didn’t know me. It was great to meet him and the four of us stood around talking until they opened the doors for dinner.
It was a surreal experience, truly, and I wasn’t even up for an award. I can only imagine what it was like for the nominees and winners. After we were seated (a great table, close to the action with a good view) Connie Willis and her husband came up to say hello. I spent several hours in the Capclave bar talking with Connie’s husband and it was nice of them to come by and say hello. I introduced them to Kelly and wished Connie good luck. (Clearly, she didn’t need it.) Just seeing all the people at the surrounding tables: Joe and Gay Haldeman, Jack McDevitt, Stan Schmidt, Gardner Dozois, so many luminaries, it was hard to believe that I was actually there, despite the fact that I was actually there.
Michael Swanwick did a great job as toastmaster. The speeches by the various honorees and winners were all great. And two of the pieces for which I voted, including Connie’s book, won Nebulas. I think Kelly thought it was “interesting”, but for me it was spectacular.
And it’s not quite over, either. I’ll be back tomorrow morning to attend the last of the programming and say goodbye to people. Fortunately, I’ll have Balticon to attend next weekend to help keep the motivational juices flowing.
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Fantastic. I wish I had the resources to have gone, although I am not a member of the SWFA and probably never will be eligible to be.
Paul, never underestimate your ability. I used to think that way and indeed it took me 14 years of brute force trying and more than 100 rejections before I sold my first. Those 2 additional sales came much more quickly.