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Fri
21
Mar '08

I’m a Campbell nominee!

!!! I think that deserves more than a single exclamation point, don’t you?

I got the email a little over a week ago and couldn’t even hint that I’d been told. That’s probably where the fever came from, all the pent-up excitement. Today though, they announced the full nomination list for the Hugos.

The Cambell nominees are:

Joe Abercrombie (2nd year of eligibility)
Jon Armstrong (1st year of eligibility)
David Anthony Durham (1st year of eligibility)
David Louis Edelman (2nd year of eligibility)
Mary Robinette Kowal (2nd year of eligibility)
Scott Lynch (2nd year of eligibility)

As far as I can tell, I’m the only short story writer on the list, the rest are all novelists. I’m pleased as all get out to see David Louis Edelman on there with me. Besides being one of my favorite people, I think his nomination is well-deserved. I’ll admit that besides David, Scott Lynch is the only one of my fellow nominees that I’ve read, but then I’ll bet the other guys are wondering about who I am too… heh. Funny. I only just now realized that I’m the sole woman on the list.

Anyway, I was going to say that I plan on picking up copies of each of the other fellow’s novels and encourage you to do the same. One of the best things a nomination like this can do is to raise the visibility of the author, so darn it, get out there and read these guys. A puppeteer friend of mine said, “The only competition is a bad puppet show.” I firmly believe that’s true in science-fiction, too. I won’t be at all upset if one of the other nominees wins it, because a new good writer will just draw more people into the field and that’s good for me.

All of that said– There is one very simple reason you should vote for me which can be summed up in two words. Campbell Tiara.

I am the only girl on the list and I come with my own ballgown.

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58 Comments

  1. ebear ebear on 21.03.2008 at 08:56 (Reply)

    Congrats! And good luck!

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 21.03.2008 at 09:04 (Reply)

      Thank you!

      1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 21.03.2008 at 12:32 (Reply)

        And now that my brains are a little more about me and I’ve read the entire list, may I offer you a hearty congratulations on your short story nomination!

  2. Douglas Cohen Douglas Cohen on 21.03.2008 at 09:05 (Reply)

    Congrats! Of course, this doesn’t excuse you for skipping out on KGB. ;)

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 21.03.2008 at 09:08 (Reply)

      Thank you!

      I think the 101 degree fever was ample cause for skipping KGB. Bringing down the entire NY field of SF with a case of the flu seems like bad form. :)

      1. Douglas Cohen Douglas Cohen on 21.03.2008 at 16:12 (Reply)

        K. I’ll let you slide …THIS time. :)

        1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 21.03.2008 at 16:46 (Reply)

          You’re a good guy. For being so swell, I’ll buy you a drink at the next KGB.

  3. Chris Gerrib Chris Gerrib on 21.03.2008 at 09:09 (Reply)

    Congratulations! For the record, I think you’d look MUCH better in a tiara then John Scalzi ;-)

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 21.03.2008 at 09:13 (Reply)

      See! You get what I’m saying.

  4. Gigi Gigi on 21.03.2008 at 09:49 (Reply)

    Skweeeeeee! I’m so happy to see your name on the list. That means I shall see you Denver, right?

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 21.03.2008 at 10:16 (Reply)

      Oh, yeah. I’d been waffling about whether I could afford to go, but now? I’ve got a ballgown to wear.

  5. Paul Paul on 21.03.2008 at 09:54 (Reply)

    Wow, big congrats, Mary! I’m sending nothing but good vibes your way. :P

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 21.03.2008 at 10:19 (Reply)

      Thanks, Paul!

  6. Evan Nichols Evan Nichols on 21.03.2008 at 10:00 (Reply)

    Congratulations! That is Awesome and a Half! I hope you get to wear the tiara. (And kudos for keeping it secret for A WEEK! That would be fever-inducing indeed!)

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 21.03.2008 at 10:20 (Reply)

      Noooooo kidding.

  7. Steve Steve on 21.03.2008 at 10:25 (Reply)

    Congrats and good luck. :-)

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 21.03.2008 at 12:36 (Reply)

      Many thanks!

      I tried to say just “Thank you!” but Word Press’s comment duplication filter stopped me. I’m not even making that up.

  8. Jen Jen on 21.03.2008 at 10:55 (Reply)

    Congratulations! Well deserved, I’d say.

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 21.03.2008 at 12:36 (Reply)

      Aw shucks. I’m just trying to make the world a safer place for redheads, you know?

  9. srgruber srgruber on 21.03.2008 at 12:17 (Reply)

    I saw your name on the list and came over to add my congrats!

    That’s one very pretty tiara, whoever ends up wearing it. But I think it would look quite nice with a gown. :)

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 21.03.2008 at 12:38 (Reply)

      Why thank you! Good to see you here.

      stillsostrange
      made the tiara and I think she did a fine job. A girl can only dream of wearing it… Seriously though, I plan on just enjoying the heck out of being a nominee.

  10. momk momk on 21.03.2008 at 12:40 (Reply)

    See you in Denver in August for the coronation!

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 21.03.2008 at 12:45 (Reply)

      Your old stomping grounds! I’ll see if I can convince Rob to come along in that case. Poor boy really hates to travel.

  11. David de Beer David de Beer on 21.03.2008 at 12:53 (Reply)

    congratulations, Mary:)

    That’s some pretty serious company to be in; Abercrombie has been getting a lot of buzz as has Scott Lynch and Armstrong’s novel looks very promising too.
    Edelman is one of those far too many novels that I’ve marked down as “some day, some day”. Durham I don’t know.

    And you don’t even have a novel yet. Enjoy it and well done!

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 21.03.2008 at 13:24 (Reply)

      Thanks, David. I know… I looked at the list and thought “One of these things is not like the others…”

      I plan to have a splendid time being a nominee. It really is an honor, especially in a group of heavy-weights like this years nominee list.

  12. sacredmime sacredmime on 21.03.2008 at 12:55 (Reply)

    Congrats!!!
    and here’s an extra ! for emphasis. :)

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 21.03.2008 at 13:26 (Reply)

      Thank you!!!!

  13. Kate Baker Kate Baker on 21.03.2008 at 12:58 (Reply)

    I saw the list up on Scalzi’s site and rushed right over to offer my congratulations!

    Will you be supplying fake cake while dressed in a ball gown should you win? ;)

    Alas, I will not make it out to Denver this year, but if you are going to Readercon, I will happily celebrate by purchasing you a drink!

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 21.03.2008 at 13:27 (Reply)

      Thanks for swinging by!

      Honey, if I win the first thing supplied will be smelling salts. And then real cake and real champagne.

      I will see you at Readercon.

  14. Scott D Scott D on 21.03.2008 at 13:46 (Reply)

    I just heard - had to rush over and say WOW! Congrats!

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 21.03.2008 at 14:06 (Reply)

      Thank you! I’m absolutely giddy.

  15. David W. Goldman David W. Goldman on 21.03.2008 at 14:34 (Reply)

    Whoo-hoo!

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 21.03.2008 at 16:53 (Reply)

      Much happy dancing!

  16. David Anthony Durham David Anthony Durham on 21.03.2008 at 16:06 (Reply)

    Hello Mary,

    Congratulations. I look forward to checking out your work - and to seeing you in Denver!

    You make a good point about the tiara, as well…

    -David.

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 21.03.2008 at 17:08 (Reply)

      Hi David,

      Thanks so much for coming by. Congratulations right back to you, sir! Scalzi speaks very highly of you, so I was already planning to pick up a copy of Acacia. Seeing you on the list cements that. Looking forward to meeting you in person!

  17. Erin Erin on 21.03.2008 at 17:14 (Reply)

    Congrats Mary! :D

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 22.03.2008 at 16:51 (Reply)

      Thank you, Erin!

  18. Nancy Fulda Nancy Fulda on 21.03.2008 at 17:22 (Reply)

    Yay! Congratulations, Mary!

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 22.03.2008 at 16:51 (Reply)

      Thanks, Nancy!

  19. Julia Julia on 21.03.2008 at 17:40 (Reply)

    I’ve already expressed this on Scalzi’s blog, but I hope you win. Now that I’ve seen your work (and helped edit a little) I really do believe in your talent and that you deserve that award. Just wish I had the spare cash to get the supporting membership so I could vote.

    Of course, you’ll need to have the tiara and ballgown photographically covered for those of us who can’t be there, if you DO win. :)

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 22.03.2008 at 16:52 (Reply)

      Julia, thank you so much for your lovely and vocal support. I promise to post pictures of the ballgown regardless of who the winner is.

  20. Mike Munsil Mike Munsil on 21.03.2008 at 18:09 (Reply)

    Woohoo!

    A well deserved congratulations, Mary!

    “Welcome all to Awards Night! Tonight we have three Nervous Novelists and One Stylish Shortstoryist! Ms. Kowal, how do you think YOU made it to the list?”

    “Shucks, it warn’t nuthin’. I just put my haind up that there puppets ass when votin’g time came around and there I was! It’s the extra arm, ya see…”

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 22.03.2008 at 16:54 (Reply)

      I always knew that learning to manipulate would come in handy.

  21. Melissa Mead Melissa Mead on 21.03.2008 at 18:20 (Reply)

    oh WOW! Congratulations!

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 22.03.2008 at 16:55 (Reply)

      Wow! Is exactly what I said when I got the announcement.

  22. John Charny John Charny on 21.03.2008 at 21:49 (Reply)

    Congratulations and good luck. Glad your feeling better.
    John

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 22.03.2008 at 16:56 (Reply)

      John, I can’t tell if I’m really feeling better or just floating on all the good wishes.

  23. Todd Todd on 21.03.2008 at 22:11 (Reply)

    Tickled pink for you, Mary!

    Hopefully that tiara doesn’t also come equipped with a peckish little man who follows you around all night whispering some Ceasar-inspired humbling jab like: “Remember, you are only mortal.” If so, then we’ll just have to introduce him to Guido in the back alley.

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 22.03.2008 at 16:57 (Reply)

      That little man is following me around now! Can you do something about him?

  24. David Louis Edelman David Louis Edelman on 21.03.2008 at 22:38 (Reply)

    Ultra-mega congrats to you, Mary. :-) But come on, do you really think you’d look better than me in a tiara? I think not.

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 22.03.2008 at 16:58 (Reply)

      But, David, you’d have to take off your black hat to wear the tiara. How will anyone recognize you then? See dear, I’m really just doing this for your own good. Your fans like you in the hat.

  25. Lawrence M. Schoen Lawrence M. Schoen on 22.03.2008 at 13:37 (Reply)

    Double chocolate congratulations to you!

    I look forward to giving you the secret handshake known only to short story writers nominated for the Campbell!

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 22.03.2008 at 16:59 (Reply)

      Forget the handshake! I’ll take the double-chocolate. Thank you!

  26. Brad Beaulieu Brad Beaulieu on 22.03.2008 at 16:20 (Reply)

    Hey, Mary. Just caught this. Congratulations! Well done, my dear…

    1. Mary Robinette Kowal Mary Robinette Kowal on 22.03.2008 at 17:00 (Reply)

      Thanks, Brad! I’m filled with glee. It’s nice to be nominated for an award that I don’t have a chance of winning. Takes all the pressure off, you know?

  27. Kara Gnome Kara Gnome on 22.03.2008 at 19:16 (Reply)

    Congratulations! This is wonderful news, and of course you’ll win *g* I have a very good feeling for you with this one. Awesome!

  28. Charles Tan Charles Tan on 22.03.2008 at 20:39 (Reply)

    Congrats!

  29. Bill Stout Bill Stout on 27.03.2008 at 01:57 (Reply)

    Only three exclamation points? You are teh queen of understatement.
    Wow.
    wwwow.
    congrats. add as many (!) as you can imagine.

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