Weekend Update: Hugo Results
Last Sunday night, the 2012 Hugo Awards were announced. I didn't have any big plans in terms of watching or listening to the results live. Usually, I find out who wins by seeing Facebook posts or visiting Tor.com the day after. Often, I forget the awards are even happening until those results are announced! However, I was hyper-aware of the awards ceremony this year, since I voted and all, and ended up watching the results "live" on Tor.com, where I would refresh the page every few minutes to see what was bolded as the winner in each category. I promised I'd do a final post, so to speak, on this year's Hugos, as well as share what I voted for and how I feel about what won instead. So here you go.
Best Novel: Jo Walton's Among Others
Of course it won. Really, there was never any doubt. Walton's book has been a darling among fans and critics, and frankly, I think it would've been a huge upset if it hadn't won. No, I didn't vote for it. Those who read my review know I had a lot of trouble accepting the book for what it was (and I've read interviews since writing that review: it's not meant to be as ambiguous as I read it), but yet I don't begrudge it winning. After all: it's Jo Walton's first Hugo in the category (first Hugo ever, I'm pretty sure), and she's female. That matches my standard criteria of Hugo Best Novel Winners (which must either a) be written by a woman and/or b) not have won the category previously). And honestly, I'm happy she won. I've read her previous work as well, and have another of her books in my immediate TBR. She's a good writer. I look forward to getting more and more from her.
I did vote for Mira Grant's Deadline for my first place. James S.A. Corey's Leviathan Wakes was a ridiculously close second, and I would've been thrilled with either one of them winning. However, Walton got my third place vote, with Miéville getting my fourth place vote, and Martin not getting ranked at all because I didn't have the time to read A Feast of Crows in addition to reading the nominated A Dance of Dragons.
Best Novella: Kij Johnson's The Man Who Bridged the Mist
Honestly, this was the toughest category to vote in. All the novellas were strong, though I thought my first place pick, Catherynne M. Valente's Silently and Very Fast, would be a shoo-in for the Hugo. I was wrong, but I'm not too upset. My second place pick was Ken Liu's The Man Who Ended History: A Documentary, with Johnson's piece being my third place pick. Again, all of the submissions were strong, and I'm better off for having read them, even if my votes didn't line up with everyone else's.
Best Novelette: Charlie Jane Anders' Six Months, Three Days
I love this story to pieces. It was my first place vote, so I'm thrilled to no end that it won. It's even more exciting because I read this story long before the Hugo nominations were ever announced, so it's fun to be ahead of the curve, so to speak.
Best Short Story: Ken Liu's "The Paper Menagerie"
Another win for me, in that this was my first place choice. This story was utterly tragic and bittersweet and touching, and I'm thrilled it won.
The awards themselves were announced from the bottom up, starting with the John W. Campbell Award and moving up the list to Best Novel. It's funny: I nailed Best Short Story. And then I nailed Best Novelette and really started hoping I'd nail all four fiction winners. Alas, it was not to be, but there's something strangely exciting about getting the results and comparing them to your votes. And also interesting is how at peace I am with the results. Maybe it's because I don't feel anything was robbed (like I did last year for Best Novel), but maybe it's because I voted this year, and the nature of voting means I had my say, I did what I could to get the results I wanted, and that's that.
As for the other categories, there's really not a lot for me to talk about. Not only was I not as invested in most of the categories, but I didn't have anything at stake either. Except a few, so let's talk about them:
Best Dramatic Presentation (Long Form): Game of Thrones (Season One): No surprise. It got my first place vote, and I think it's a deserved win. Whether or not season two deserves it will be another story, especially when up against The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises, both of which will surely get nods. But if you want to nominate/vote next year, go head and get caught up on HBO's adaptation of Martin's books, because it's going to be a part of the conversation for a long time to come.
Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form): "The Doctor's Wife" (Doctor Who): Raise your hand if you're surprised. Anyone? No? I knew this this episode would take the rocket for two reasons: 1) it's Doctor Who and the show wins 99% of the time and 2) this episode was penned by Neil Gaiman, who's basically Hugo-Bait. Even if people hadn't seen any of the things nominated in this category, this episode would've likely gotten the vote for Gaiman's name alone. Yes, he's that big.
I'm sorry Community's "Remedial Chaos Theory" didn't win. It came in fourth-freaking-place after all the Doctor Who episodes, which tells me that Hugo voters are more likely to have already seen said Doctor Who episodes and therefore the show is easier to vote for. Easier than tracking down an episode of a show you probably don't watch, you know? I'll be honest, I voted for Community and only Community. Partially because I don't watch Doctor Who and didn't have the time or ability to track down the nominated episodes, but also because even if I loved "The Doctor's Wife" (which my husband finally found for me to watch), I just can't bring myself to vote for a show that bulldozes the category. I know, I know… it's not the show's fault. It's just so disheartening when I see all the other stuff that could've made the ballot but didn't: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, which won a FREAKING OSCAR for cripe's sake, and of course, two different Fringe episodes.
If you think I won't be campaigning for my favorites in this category for next year's nominations, think again. FRINGE FOR THE WIN!!!! (It's just got one more chance, people!)
Best Semiprozine: Locus: I've been told that 2011 was the last year that Locus was eligible for this category. And that better be true, because I don't know how a magazine that's been around so long and has such a wide readership (seriously: if you write in the genre, this magazine is a must-have) can be considered "semipro." Maybe it meets the letter of the law, so to speak, but it defies the spirit of it. I voted Locus last, though in hindsight, maybe I shouldn't have ranked it at all out of protest. It's also frustrating because if Locus hadn't been in the running, the online mag Beneath Ceaseless Skies would've FINALLY scored its first Hugo nomination, and it's more than overdue. It's a small mag, which publishes two new stories every two weeks, and is run by one of my fellow Odyssey classmates (we both graduated in 2005), so I have a special place in my heart for the mag. So here's hoping Beneath Ceaseless Skies gets its nomination next year. And if you have the ability to nominate, please start checking it out. :)
Best Fan Writer: Jim C. Hines: Of course I voted for Hines. I follow his blog, so I know what I'm getting. The other fan writers in the category have be nominated in the past, and some have own. Hines, following the example of John Scalzi and I believe Cheryl Morgan, is recusing himself from the category from here on out so that other awesome fan writers can be nominated and recognized, which is AWESOME. I wish other past winners would follow this example, so that people can discover new fan writing every year.
I've mentioned off and on about things that ALMOST made the ballot but didn't. For those of you who want to see how the votes shook out, as well as what ALMOST made a category, just click here for the PDF. It's fascinating to look at, especially the stuff that didn't quite make the ballot. If you were one of those people upset that, say, Catherynne M. Valente's Deathless didn't make it for Best Novel, but you didn't get a membership to nominate? Let this be a lesson: sometimes, books need their fans to make sure they get recognized, and even then, once nominated, books need their fans to spread the word, so that they don't get lost in all hype and marketing of the books that are already well-known, you know?
Anyway. I'm glad I voted. I look forward to nominating for next year, though right now it seems like a daunting task. Rest assured that you will see future posts from me asking people to consider this or that for whatever category for next year's Hugos. I believe in championing my favorites, especially if my favorites aren't quite as popular as the shoo-ins. I hope that if you find yourself overly invested in the Hugo awards and the results, that you'll do the same.
Of course, congratulations to ALL the winners, whether I voted for you or not. It's been fun. :)
Best Novel: Jo Walton's Among Others
Of course it won. Really, there was never any doubt. Walton's book has been a darling among fans and critics, and frankly, I think it would've been a huge upset if it hadn't won. No, I didn't vote for it. Those who read my review know I had a lot of trouble accepting the book for what it was (and I've read interviews since writing that review: it's not meant to be as ambiguous as I read it), but yet I don't begrudge it winning. After all: it's Jo Walton's first Hugo in the category (first Hugo ever, I'm pretty sure), and she's female. That matches my standard criteria of Hugo Best Novel Winners (which must either a) be written by a woman and/or b) not have won the category previously). And honestly, I'm happy she won. I've read her previous work as well, and have another of her books in my immediate TBR. She's a good writer. I look forward to getting more and more from her.
I did vote for Mira Grant's Deadline for my first place. James S.A. Corey's Leviathan Wakes was a ridiculously close second, and I would've been thrilled with either one of them winning. However, Walton got my third place vote, with Miéville getting my fourth place vote, and Martin not getting ranked at all because I didn't have the time to read A Feast of Crows in addition to reading the nominated A Dance of Dragons.
Best Novella: Kij Johnson's The Man Who Bridged the Mist
Honestly, this was the toughest category to vote in. All the novellas were strong, though I thought my first place pick, Catherynne M. Valente's Silently and Very Fast, would be a shoo-in for the Hugo. I was wrong, but I'm not too upset. My second place pick was Ken Liu's The Man Who Ended History: A Documentary, with Johnson's piece being my third place pick. Again, all of the submissions were strong, and I'm better off for having read them, even if my votes didn't line up with everyone else's.
Best Novelette: Charlie Jane Anders' Six Months, Three Days
I love this story to pieces. It was my first place vote, so I'm thrilled to no end that it won. It's even more exciting because I read this story long before the Hugo nominations were ever announced, so it's fun to be ahead of the curve, so to speak.
Best Short Story: Ken Liu's "The Paper Menagerie"
Another win for me, in that this was my first place choice. This story was utterly tragic and bittersweet and touching, and I'm thrilled it won.
The awards themselves were announced from the bottom up, starting with the John W. Campbell Award and moving up the list to Best Novel. It's funny: I nailed Best Short Story. And then I nailed Best Novelette and really started hoping I'd nail all four fiction winners. Alas, it was not to be, but there's something strangely exciting about getting the results and comparing them to your votes. And also interesting is how at peace I am with the results. Maybe it's because I don't feel anything was robbed (like I did last year for Best Novel), but maybe it's because I voted this year, and the nature of voting means I had my say, I did what I could to get the results I wanted, and that's that.
As for the other categories, there's really not a lot for me to talk about. Not only was I not as invested in most of the categories, but I didn't have anything at stake either. Except a few, so let's talk about them:
Best Dramatic Presentation (Long Form): Game of Thrones (Season One): No surprise. It got my first place vote, and I think it's a deserved win. Whether or not season two deserves it will be another story, especially when up against The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises, both of which will surely get nods. But if you want to nominate/vote next year, go head and get caught up on HBO's adaptation of Martin's books, because it's going to be a part of the conversation for a long time to come.
Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form): "The Doctor's Wife" (Doctor Who): Raise your hand if you're surprised. Anyone? No? I knew this this episode would take the rocket for two reasons: 1) it's Doctor Who and the show wins 99% of the time and 2) this episode was penned by Neil Gaiman, who's basically Hugo-Bait. Even if people hadn't seen any of the things nominated in this category, this episode would've likely gotten the vote for Gaiman's name alone. Yes, he's that big.
I'm sorry Community's "Remedial Chaos Theory" didn't win. It came in fourth-freaking-place after all the Doctor Who episodes, which tells me that Hugo voters are more likely to have already seen said Doctor Who episodes and therefore the show is easier to vote for. Easier than tracking down an episode of a show you probably don't watch, you know? I'll be honest, I voted for Community and only Community. Partially because I don't watch Doctor Who and didn't have the time or ability to track down the nominated episodes, but also because even if I loved "The Doctor's Wife" (which my husband finally found for me to watch), I just can't bring myself to vote for a show that bulldozes the category. I know, I know… it's not the show's fault. It's just so disheartening when I see all the other stuff that could've made the ballot but didn't: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, which won a FREAKING OSCAR for cripe's sake, and of course, two different Fringe episodes.
If you think I won't be campaigning for my favorites in this category for next year's nominations, think again. FRINGE FOR THE WIN!!!! (It's just got one more chance, people!)
Best Semiprozine: Locus: I've been told that 2011 was the last year that Locus was eligible for this category. And that better be true, because I don't know how a magazine that's been around so long and has such a wide readership (seriously: if you write in the genre, this magazine is a must-have) can be considered "semipro." Maybe it meets the letter of the law, so to speak, but it defies the spirit of it. I voted Locus last, though in hindsight, maybe I shouldn't have ranked it at all out of protest. It's also frustrating because if Locus hadn't been in the running, the online mag Beneath Ceaseless Skies would've FINALLY scored its first Hugo nomination, and it's more than overdue. It's a small mag, which publishes two new stories every two weeks, and is run by one of my fellow Odyssey classmates (we both graduated in 2005), so I have a special place in my heart for the mag. So here's hoping Beneath Ceaseless Skies gets its nomination next year. And if you have the ability to nominate, please start checking it out. :)
Best Fan Writer: Jim C. Hines: Of course I voted for Hines. I follow his blog, so I know what I'm getting. The other fan writers in the category have be nominated in the past, and some have own. Hines, following the example of John Scalzi and I believe Cheryl Morgan, is recusing himself from the category from here on out so that other awesome fan writers can be nominated and recognized, which is AWESOME. I wish other past winners would follow this example, so that people can discover new fan writing every year.
I've mentioned off and on about things that ALMOST made the ballot but didn't. For those of you who want to see how the votes shook out, as well as what ALMOST made a category, just click here for the PDF. It's fascinating to look at, especially the stuff that didn't quite make the ballot. If you were one of those people upset that, say, Catherynne M. Valente's Deathless didn't make it for Best Novel, but you didn't get a membership to nominate? Let this be a lesson: sometimes, books need their fans to make sure they get recognized, and even then, once nominated, books need their fans to spread the word, so that they don't get lost in all hype and marketing of the books that are already well-known, you know?
Anyway. I'm glad I voted. I look forward to nominating for next year, though right now it seems like a daunting task. Rest assured that you will see future posts from me asking people to consider this or that for whatever category for next year's Hugos. I believe in championing my favorites, especially if my favorites aren't quite as popular as the shoo-ins. I hope that if you find yourself overly invested in the Hugo awards and the results, that you'll do the same.
Of course, congratulations to ALL the winners, whether I voted for you or not. It's been fun. :)