Baltimore Science Fiction Society (BSFS) Director at Large Dale S. Arnold announces the winner of the Robert A. Heinlein Award for 2011: Connie Willis.
The Robert A. Heinlein Award is “for outstanding published works in science fiction and technical writings to inspire the human exploration of space. The physical form of the Robert A. Heinlein Award consists of a 3.5 Avoirdupois ounce sterling silver medallion bearing the image of Robert A. Heinlein as depicted by the artist Arlin Robbins. The medallion is matched with a red-white-blue lanyard. In addition, the winner receives two lapel pins for use when a large medallion is impractical, and a certificate plaque designating the award suitable for home or office wall display.”
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, Joe Haldeman, Virginia Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, Elizabeth Moon, Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, Spider Robinson, John Varley, and Jack Williamson.
Connie Willis is the winner of ten Hugo Awards and six Nebulas, including both of this year’s awards for her two-volume novel Blackout/All Clear.
No winner was announced last year, but the award was shared by two people in each of the previous five years. For the complete list of winners, see this page.