Breaking News: Hugo Awards
So, I just did something epic. So big, so epic that I couldn't wait until the Weekend Update to share the news with you.
I just registered for WorldCon 2012. Which means...
*drumroll*
I get to vote on who wins the Hugos this year!
Why is this such a big deal? Because I've have been complaining for YEARS about the Hugos. Ever since that fateful year in 2007 when there was only one woman on the ballot for fiction, and that was Naomi Novak for His Majesty's Dragon. Ever since, I've paid CLOSE ATTENTION to the nominees and winners, throwing my opinion around, but not doing jack shit about it.
Last year, I was really bummed that Connie Willis won. Don't get me wrong: Willis is a fantastic author. I love Doomsday Book. I love Passage. I've even come to love To Say Nothing of the Dog. But I found her Blackout/All Clear combo to be overly long and disappointing. It had great moments, but I didn't feel it deserved the award. The award should've gone to one of the other authors. I won't say who, but I will say I'd read the author who deserved the award. This wasn't just me picking recognizable names off the list.
This year, when the nominees were announced, I moaned and groaned about the Best Fan Writer categories as well as the Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form. And while moaning and groaning on other sites, I said that I'd love to buy a supporting membership to vote, but I'd feel bad because I wasn't interested in all of the categories and therefore wouldn't feel right voting in them.
Commenters urged me to reconsider, showing me past stats about how many votes each category received. That made me feel a lot better, and tempted. I did some research, but couldn't find the one piece of info I so sorely wanted: if I voted this year, would I get to nominate next year?
Well, tonight, my question was answered. So I squeezed my eyes shut and signed up for the supporting membership.
Y'all. I'm going to vote for this year's Hugos!
It's tremendously exciting. It's also going to wreck havoc with my reading schedule, but once I get a sense of what I'm in for, I'll work something out, and I'll share that something with you, especially if it affects the way I review and/or blog.
Anyway, if you've ever considered voting, if this year's nominees move you to vote, I highly recommend that you SERIOUSLY CONSIDER getting a membership. You don't have to go to the convention. You get your voter's packet either electronically or in the mail (I'd hate to see that box), and you send in your votes electronically as well. For me, this year's nominees for "Best Novel" make it a great year to jump in: I've read some, and those I haven't read, I plan on reading anyway.
If you're interested, here's the info. If you're not interested, or if the money's tight, that's okay. This is the first year I could justify it, but considering how much I've controlled my book buying habits this year, I consider this an award for good behavior.
At any rate, I'm excited. And if what I want to see win DOESN'T win, at least I've had my say. And I'll get to nominate next year. Be afraid... oh yes, be afraid...
Oh, and one other thing: if you've done this sort of thing regularly (being that you vote in the Hugos), would you let me know? I've got questions. :)
I just registered for WorldCon 2012. Which means...
*drumroll*
I get to vote on who wins the Hugos this year!
Why is this such a big deal? Because I've have been complaining for YEARS about the Hugos. Ever since that fateful year in 2007 when there was only one woman on the ballot for fiction, and that was Naomi Novak for His Majesty's Dragon. Ever since, I've paid CLOSE ATTENTION to the nominees and winners, throwing my opinion around, but not doing jack shit about it.
Last year, I was really bummed that Connie Willis won. Don't get me wrong: Willis is a fantastic author. I love Doomsday Book. I love Passage. I've even come to love To Say Nothing of the Dog. But I found her Blackout/All Clear combo to be overly long and disappointing. It had great moments, but I didn't feel it deserved the award. The award should've gone to one of the other authors. I won't say who, but I will say I'd read the author who deserved the award. This wasn't just me picking recognizable names off the list.
This year, when the nominees were announced, I moaned and groaned about the Best Fan Writer categories as well as the Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form. And while moaning and groaning on other sites, I said that I'd love to buy a supporting membership to vote, but I'd feel bad because I wasn't interested in all of the categories and therefore wouldn't feel right voting in them.
Commenters urged me to reconsider, showing me past stats about how many votes each category received. That made me feel a lot better, and tempted. I did some research, but couldn't find the one piece of info I so sorely wanted: if I voted this year, would I get to nominate next year?
Well, tonight, my question was answered. So I squeezed my eyes shut and signed up for the supporting membership.
Y'all. I'm going to vote for this year's Hugos!
It's tremendously exciting. It's also going to wreck havoc with my reading schedule, but once I get a sense of what I'm in for, I'll work something out, and I'll share that something with you, especially if it affects the way I review and/or blog.
Anyway, if you've ever considered voting, if this year's nominees move you to vote, I highly recommend that you SERIOUSLY CONSIDER getting a membership. You don't have to go to the convention. You get your voter's packet either electronically or in the mail (I'd hate to see that box), and you send in your votes electronically as well. For me, this year's nominees for "Best Novel" make it a great year to jump in: I've read some, and those I haven't read, I plan on reading anyway.
If you're interested, here's the info. If you're not interested, or if the money's tight, that's okay. This is the first year I could justify it, but considering how much I've controlled my book buying habits this year, I consider this an award for good behavior.
At any rate, I'm excited. And if what I want to see win DOESN'T win, at least I've had my say. And I'll get to nominate next year. Be afraid... oh yes, be afraid...
Oh, and one other thing: if you've done this sort of thing regularly (being that you vote in the Hugos), would you let me know? I've got questions. :)