Miscellaneous Information, in Chronological Order

Surfacing to note a few things.

Thing the first: I am super thrilled to find that Ancillary Justice is a finalist for the Kitchies Golden Tentacle Award. That list is amazing, and I’m thrilled that the judges seem to think that Ancillary Justice belongs there. It’s an honor to have my book named alongside the others on that list. Check them out, if you haven’t already! I’ve been hearing great things about Nexus, by Ramez Naam and it’s been on my list of things I’d like to read all year. I’ve also been hearing good things about Mr Penumbra’s 24 Hour Bookstore, and I’m going to have to move both up in the queue, and check out the other Golden Tentacle finalists.

Thing the second: Remember I was all about how you should read Sofia Samatar’s A Stranger in Olondria and maybe nominate her for the Campbell (NOT A HUGO AWARD)? Well, the folks who give out the Crawford award apparently like the book too. See? You should totally check it out if you haven’t already.

Thing the third: Alex Dally MacFarlane is going to be writing a column for tor.com on the topic of post-binary gender in SF. I am definitely looking forward to reading these. There’s some headdesk-worthy foolishness in the comments–my personal favorite so far, the comment declaring that the whole “post-binary” thing has been done to death already in SF, for example, all those stories in which a person of one binary option disguises themselves (or behaves in a way stereotypically characteristic of) the other binary option (I’ll take “Unclear on the Concept” for $500)–but also quite a lot of “This should be really interesting, looking forward to it!”

Thing the fourth: The BSFA shortlist is out! Unconquered Sun, look at that list! What fabulous company! It’s a tremendous honor. I am particularly pleased to see Liz Bourke on that list, for her Sleeps with Monsters column at Tor.com, but the whole list is great. Congratulations to everyone!

I’m not gonna lie, when I was a little baby writer this was exactly the kind of thing I fantasized about, seeing “[Book], by Ann Leckie” on an awards list. I think this is normal. I strongly suspect the vast majority of SF/F writers have that fantasy from time to time.

But most of us, if we want to keep our balance, recognize that for a fantasy. Not something we can pin any hopes on, or actually aim for in any kind of realistic way. And in the end, there are only a limited number of spots on awards lists, far fewer than the number of worthy books or stories. There are always books and stories that for one reason or another get overlooked–not enough buzz at the right time, not quite the sort of thing various juries or voting groups tend to go for, whatever. The list of works nominated for awards is not at all the entire list of works worthy of notice and praise. In the end, in the big scheme of things, awards aren’t something to measure your career by.

Or, you know, that’s what you tell yourself. I’m not gonna lie, though, seeing my book nominated for awards is freaking awesome.

I have felt like I was hallucinating since I first knew I’d sold the book. That sensation has only increased in recent weeks. I’m not sure any of this is real. But it’s amazing and wonderful, so please don’t wake me up.

2 thoughts on “Miscellaneous Information, in Chronological Order

  1. C
    Chaz Brenchley says:

    Did you see that it’s also on the list of NPR’s best books of 2013? (Or did you blog that already and I just missed it? In which case, sorry to be repetitive…)

    1. Ann says:

      I did see that! I don’t know if I blogged it, though.

      I was pretty seriously chuffed, though, I’ll tell you. 😀

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