SFWA's 47th Annual Nebula Awards Ceremony

This year the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of American held their annual Nebula Awards Weekend in Arlington, Virginia at the Regency Crystal City. Since 1965, the Nebula Awards have been presented for the best works of science fiction or fantasy published in the US. I wish I could say honestly that I'd been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Nebula Awards since the event was going to be held nearby. But the truth is that I learned quite by accident that they were in town. I was grateful to have the opportunity to attend.

One of the objectives of FANTASTIC FORUM is to promote interest in science fiction literature. Growing up I enjoyed the works of such writers as Frank Herbert, Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov and Philip K. Dick. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that these stories had a profound effect on me and helped shape me into the person I am today. So far on the show I haven't done a particularly good job of promoting the genre that so moved me in my youth. This was a heaven sent opportunity of which I intended to take full advantage. The evening didn't disappoint.

I enjoyed the privilege of interviewing the winner of the Nebula Award for Best Novel, Jo Walton, as well as Neil Gaiman, who won The Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation for his work on the Doctor Who episode, "The Doctor's Wife." Also recognized were: Service to SFWA Award - Clarence Howard 'Bud' Webster; Solstice Awards - John Clute and the late Octavia Butler; Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master - Connie Willis; Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy - Delia Sherman, The Freedom Maze; Short Story - Ken Liu, The Paper Menagerie; Novelette - Geoff Ryman, What We Found; Novella - Kij Johnson, The Man Who Bridged the Mist

Congratulations to the award recipients! However, the evening's winners were everyone who is working diligently to keep to science fiction and fantasy literature alive and vital. I encourage you to delve into the unknown realms and read some science fiction and fantasy literature today!