Baltimore Science Fiction Society (BSFS) Director at Large Dale S. Arnold announces the winners of the Robert A. Heinlein Award for 2009: Joe Haldeman and John Varley.
The Robert A. Heinlein Award is “for outstanding published works in science fiction and technical writings to inspire the human exploration of Space. Winners are selected by a committee of SF authors originally selected by Mrs. Virginia Heinlein and chaired by Robert Heinlein’s friend, Dr. Yoji Kondo. The award prize consists of a wall plaque certificate, large sterling silver medallion, and a lapel pin. The likeness of Robert A. Heinlein, as rendered by Arlin Robbins, is featured on each of these items.”
The award is sponsored by the Heinlein Society, with logistical support provided by the BSFS. Previous winners of the award (which debuted in 2003) include: Greg Bear, Ben Bova, Arthur C. Clarke, Michael Flynn, Virginia Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, Elizabeth Moon, Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, Spider Robinson, and Jack Williamson.
Haldeman, who first made his name with The Forever War, is the winner of five Hugo Awards and five Nebulas.
Varley has collected three Hugos and two Nebulas.