Am I the only one who likes the shortened form of “nomination” because it reminds me of food? Nom nom nom.
Anyway.
I’ve been sitting on this news for a while, but now that it’s public and I can talk about it, it’s finally sinking in, and I’m even more excited: Fair Coin was nominated for the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy!
Deep breaths.
Just like the Nebula Awards, the Norton Award is voted on by members of SFWA, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. It is more than an honor to have my first novel recognized by writers — it’s freaking awesome is what it is. I have wanted to be a member of SFWA since I started writing, and Fair Coin is the fiction sale that finally made me eligible. And ever since I found out that there was an award for middle grade and young adult SFF (which by the way, is a great thing and very progressive, are you paying attention, Hugo Award committee?), I’ve wondered what it might be like to be nominated for it. Now I know! Freaking awesome.
I’ll admit though, I didn’t really think it would happen this year. As you know, Bob, I was on the committee that added three titles to this somewhat longish shortlist of nominees, and of course, mine couldn’t be one of them. And so many wonderful books for children and teens were published in 2012, which is good for everyone who loves fiction… even the author hoping someone will notice his little novel. After all, I’m not just a writer, I’m a reader, and I’m thrilled that so many of my favorite books made it onto the ballot this year:
Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy
Iron Hearted Violet, Kelly Barnhill (Little, Brown)
Black Heart, Holly Black (S&S/McElderry; Gollancz)
Above, Leah Bobet (Levine)
The Diviners, Libba Bray (Little, Brown; Atom)
Vessel, Sarah Beth Durst (S&S/McElderry)
Seraphina, Rachel Hartman (Random House; Doubleday UK)
Enchanted, Alethea Kontis (Harcourt)
Every Day, David Levithan (Alice A. Knopf Books for Young Readers)
Summer of the Mariposas, Guadalupe Garcia McCall (Tu Books)
Railsea, China Miéville (Del Rey; Macmillan)
Fair Coin, E.C. Myers (Pyr)
Above World, Jenn Reese (Candlewick)
If you’ve read even a few of those novels already, you’ll know how amazing it is for me to see Fair Coin listed anywhere near them. If you haven’t read some of these yet, don’t just take my word that they’re great—a lot of other writers think so too. I love reading and writing YA so much, and this ballot is a solid representation of the best that the genre can offer both kids and adults. *blushes*
I’m bouncing around a bit about all the other nominees for the Nebula Awards, many of whom are personal friends and/or writers I admire and also just swell people. (Don’t worry, I’m not gonna name-drop.) Congratulations to everyone, especially my fellow Norton nominees. I, for one, am going to go practice my knot-tying skills and archery to prepare for the arena. There are twelve of us, after all.
Meanwhile, even though I’ve read all the novels on the Norton ballot already (did I mention how great they are?), I still have a lot of reading to catch up on.
In other news…
I just joined the League of Extraordinary Writers! Here’s today’s introductory post in which I have annotated my author bio.
And speaking of reading and things being freaking awesome, if you have the March issue of F&SF, check out the book review section. I’ll blog more about that news later…
David Mack
I don’t know if you remember this, but a few years ago, before FAIR COIN was published (maybe even before it was sold), I introduced you to an editor friend of mine at one of the SFWA receptions, in the Times Square Planet Hollywood. And I said to him, “Keep an eye on this guy”—meaning you—”because he’s an up-and-comer. A few years from now, everyone’s gonna know this guy’s name.”
I also recall predicting to some of our friends last summer that FAIR COIN would be nominated for a Nebula.
Thank you for vindicating my predictions. :)
Congratulations and good luck!
ecmyers
Thank you! I’ve never been more happy for someone’s prediction to come true (re: the Nebula), and I’m still working on the rest :)
Christina (A Reader of Fictions)
So many congratulations for you! That is so amazing, and you’re in some impressive company too (hello, Seraphina!). Good luck!
ecmyers
No kidding! I love a lot of these books and authors, so I feel like everyone wins, no matter who actually takes home the prize. Thanks!