The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) awarded their Nebula Awards Saturday night.
The winners were:
Best Novel: Seeker by Jack McDevitt (published by Ace)
Best Novella: “Burn” by James Patrick Kelly (Tachyon Publications)
Best Novelette: “Two Hearts” by Peter S. Beagle (The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction)
Best Short Story: “Echo” by Elizabeth Hand (The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction)
Best Script: Howl’s Moving Castle by Hayao Miyazaki, Cindy Davis Hewitt, and Donald H. Hewitt (Studio Ghibli and Walt Disney Pictures)
Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy: Magic or Madness by Justine Larbalestier (Penguin Razorbill)
Grand Master: James Gunn
Other awards, previously announced, included:
Author Emeritus: D.G. Compton
Service to SFWA: Brook and Julia West
Toastmaster Ron Moore gave a short, though important, talk on the coming changes in the entertainment industry, specifically as it refers to writers of speculative fiction, and urged SFWA and all its member to not only watch as the future comes or predict it in their work, but to take an active part in it, so that they’re not squeezed out.
The Grand Master Award was presented with speeches and appreciations by Thomas Seay (who read a letter of appreciation from Kansas Congressmen Nancy Boyda and Dennis Moore), SFWA President Robin Wayne Bailey (who read a letter from Bradley Denton), Kij Johnson, and John Kessel. Then Grand Master James Gunn gave a moving talk of his life in science fiction.
[Edited to add: the Congressional letter of appreciation is on this page. John Kessel’s appreciation is on this off-site page. James Gunn’s talk is on this off-site page.]
Ellen Datlow and Carol Emshwiller presented the Short Story Nebula, which was accepted by Editor Gordon Van Gelder.
Robin Wayne Bailey returned to present the Service to SFWA Award to Brook and Julia West.
Michael A. Burstein and Shawna McCarthy presented the Script Nebula, which was accepted by Marc Zicree, who noted that he and George Takei will soon be traveling to Japan, where he expects to present the award directly to Hayao Miyazaki.
Kelly Link and Gavin Grant presented the Novella Nebula to James Patrick Kelly, who said it was his first Nebula after nine nominations, and that “I’ve written nine acceptance speeches,” so it was good to finally be able to read one.
Executive Director Jane Jewell introduced Geoffrey Eaton, Deputy Chief of Staff to Congressman Charles Rangel, who read a letter of commendation to Tor Books Publisher Tom Doherty for his long-standing efforts to promote reading and literacy through offering low-cost classic reprints and donating books to poor children, schools, libraries in need, and soldiers in hospitals. Doherty said that “I have to share all the good things he said about me with all the Tor folk.” He also said “Literacy is fundamental to improving the future.”
[Edited to add: the text of the proclamation is on this page.]
Jane Jewell then presented Author Emeritus D.G. Compton, who noted that emeritus means retired, but he’s just got a new novel being submitted, and he continues to write and work his other job, abridging novels for Readers Digest.
Gardner Dozois and Connie Willis presented the Novelette Nebula, which Peter S. Beagle accepted.
Ellen Asher and Esther Friesner presented the Norton Award, which was accepted by Eloise Flood, who had worked on the winning title when she was still with publisher Penguin.
Eastern Regional Director Diane Turnshek, the Nebula Weekend Coordinator, thanked her remarkable committee and all SFWA volunteers.
Joe Haldeman finally presented the Novel Nebula, and Jack McDevitt accepted, noting that “between us, Jim Kelly and I were something like 0 for 21 before tonight.”
Earlier in the weekend, the results of SFWA’s election were announced:
President: Michael Capobianco
Vice President: Andrew Burt
South Central Regional Director: Paul Melko
Canadian Regional Director: Chris Atack
Treasurer: Susan Linville
Secretary: Catherine Mintz
The Eastern (Diane Turnshek), Western (Sheila Finch), and Overseas (Ian Watson) Regional Directors continue in their three-year terms. [Update including vote totals in this article.]
The entire weekend was very well run, and a wonderful tribute to Diane Turnshek, Jane Jewell, and their able and eager volunteers. More commentary on the entire weekend will be posted after the editor has a chance to sleep and decipher his notes.
The nominees were listed in this article: SFWA’s Final Nebula Award Ballot