Awkward Annual Award Eligibility Post (for Your Nerves?)
Hello, everyone! (And an extra hello to many new people!)
Here is the awkward embarrassing evergreen-ly weird and cringey post where I tell the internet what I had published last year that's eligible for various awards this year.
If you nominate for these things, please consider giving this stuff a look! If not, please consider doing so, many SFF awards, like the Locus, are free to nominate and vote, and many more require a simple small fee or membership at a convention or in a group.
Erm. So yes! Onward. Maybe. (Honestly my brain is made of cream cheese and despair right now so if I forgot something you know I did last year, seriously, remind my dumb ass and I'll add it.)
Novel (Especially Lodestone, Andre Norton Nebula, Locus YA, etc)
Osmo Unknown and the Eightpenny Woods
Now...without getting into details, this book, meant for both kids and adults, did not exactly get a wide readership, in large part because...let's just say it had very little support from the...er...universe. I was gutted to find out that support would not be manifesting, and I'm terribly proud of this book. It is what I made of my pandemic dread. Please do give it a read--I'll even provide a review ecopy if you like. At this point, while I don't expect it, some kind of nomination is the only thing that might give this poor baby a little life. However! That's not actually your responsibility so if you don't care or didn't like it, that's completely fine!
Novelette
The Difference Between Love and Time
I genuinely think this is one of the best things I've ever written, and whether you nominate it for anything or not, I just want you to read it--my whole mixed-up jumbled garbage heart is in there.
Graphic Story
Precious Things, Little Earthquakes 30th Anniversary Graphic Album
Best Related Work/Fan Writer
Now, I'm not saying any of these things are necessarily worthy or good, but people have talked about nominating them so I'm listing them in case you want to. I am not always the best judge of my own related works! Awkwardness intesifying! Escape hatch!
Sebastian's Rocketship (Build thread and all photos under the link. If by some chance this carboard love letter does get nominated I'll do a big flashy How and Why essay)
Stop Talking to Each Other and Start Buying Things: Three Decades of Survival in the Desert of Social Media (Long-form essay on the history of social media, geek culture under capitalism, and how to move forward from disaster)
The Great American Farscape and the History of Television Essay
Thank you in advance if you do read or nominate or in any way care about my work, and thank you if you don't, but for some reason got this far into a post anyway.
Now that jetlag has mostly finished flaying me and I've put out almost (not all!) of the fires that ignited while I was gone, regular posting will commence shortly! Thanks for your patience as well.
Comments (7)
I pre-ordered Osmo so the hardback has been with me since it came out but I tend to save up your books for a bad day. You know, like a treat for myself. I did start reading it yesterday and am already in love!! Plenty of time left to nominate it for a Lodestar. ♥️
Not sure how I managed not to acquire Osmo before now, but that oversight has been rectified and I look forward to reading it. I very much suspect a copy will also need to be added to my niece’s bookshelf, and if the local library doesn’t already have it, they’ll be getting a recommendation shortly
I admit that I have kept forgetting that Osmo was there. Whenever I remember, I want to read it, and whenever I get to buying books I forget. I would still love to read it, and if you're serious about those review copies, may I ask for one of them? Things are a little tight right now. If not, please forgive the presumption and I will go buy one as soon as I 1) can afford to and 2) remember to, at the same time! ❤️
You've had an amazing year, Cat. I'm bummed that Osmo hasn't gotten more traction - I'll try to put word about it, because it really is beautiful, in the best fairy tale tradition. I have one and my library now has one, too, so I hope it helps a mite.
Agreed. Osmo was terrific! I intend to recommend it for my niece in a year or so (she may not be quite ready for it, or maybe she is…)
Oh Cat, it makes me sad that Osmo's story didn't get more support. For whatever it's worth, I bought, read and loved this book when it came out. Not only that, I needed it. At a time when I was feeling overwhelmed by Very Serious Advice that felt as much about the business of publishing as it did the craft of writing, Osmo reminded me (for the second time, Fairyland being the first) that I could also write from my wild, whimsical heart. And yeah, maybe the marketing budgets want something different, but you doing you reminded me that I have to do me. Thank you so much.
I am sorry to hear that Osmo isn't getting the attention it deserves. I somehow managed to pre-order three copies (I guess I was a little overzealous and just kept placing orders every time I came across it), so I was delighted to have the opportunity to put two copies into the hands of other readers who may otherwise not have discovered it on their own. I hope that this story turns out to be a kind of slow burn in the readership department. It really is lovely.