Archive for the ‘Nebula Conference’ Category

SFWA Announces Newest Damon Knight Grand Master – William Gibson

January 8th, 2019

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA, Inc.) is pleased to announce that William Gibson has been named the 35th Damon Knight Grand Master for his contributions to the literature of Science Fiction and Fantasy.

The Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award recognizes “lifetime achievement in science fiction and/or fantasy.” Gibson joins the Grand Master ranks alongside such legends as C. J. Cherryh, Peter S. Beagle, Ursula K. Le Guin, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, and Joe Haldeman. The award will be presented at the 54th Annual Nebula Conference and Awards Ceremony in Woodland Hills, CA, May 16th-19th, 2019.

Gibson is known for his cyberpunk novels Neuromancer, Virtual Light, and Mona Lisa Overdrive,and co-wrote the steampunk novel The Difference Enginewith Bruce Sterling. Gibson’s writing, through novels such as Pattern Recognition and The Peripheral, continues to break new ground and stimulate conversation about the cyberworld. The influence of Gibson’s writing has not only been felt within the science fiction community, but has expanded to other forms of art, as seen in the music of Billy Idol and Warren Zevon and the Matrixfilms, as well as throughout computer culture.

SFWA PRESIDENT, CAT RAMBO

William Gibson coined the word cyberspace in his story “Burning Chrome,” expanding on that concept two years later in the novel Neuromancer. He forged a body of work that has played a major part in the coalescing of the cyberpunk movement, influencing dozens of writers of cinema, fiction, and games, among other creatives. Not content to be one of the definitive writers in only one subgenre, he then went on to help engender steampunk with Bruce Sterling in their collaborative work,The Difference Engine. Gibson continues to produce taut, evocative works that reflect the despair and hope of the 21st century. To be a SFWA Grand Master is to be a speculative fiction writer that has shaped the genre and made it what it is today. Gibson fills that role abundantly.

The Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award will be presented along with the Nebula Awards® during the annual SFWA Nebula Conference, which will run from May 16th-19th and features seminars and panel discussions on the craft and business of writing, SFWA’s annual business meeting, and receptions. On May 18th, a mass autograph session will take place at the Warner Center Marriott Woodland Hills and is open to the public.

The Nebula Awards®, presented annually, recognize the best works of science fiction and fantasy published in the United States as selected by members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. The first Nebula Awards® were presented in 1966.

The Nebula Awards® include four fiction awards, a game writing award, the Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation, the Andre Norton Award for Outstanding Young Adult Science Fiction or Fantasy Book. SFWA also administers the Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award, the Kevin O’Donnell Jr. Service to SFWA Award, and the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award.

http://nebulas.sfwa.org/nebula-conference/

 

Nebula Winners Announced

May 19, 2018
Nebula Winners Announced

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) is pleased to announce the winners for the 52nd Annual Nebula Awards®, the Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation, and the Andre Norton Award for Outstanding Young Adult Science Fiction or Fantasy Book. The awards were presented in Pittsburgh, PA at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center during a ceremony hosted by Martin P. Robinson on the evening of May 19th.

2017 Nebula/Bradbury/Norton Award Winners

Novel: The Stone Sky, N.K. Jemisin (Orbit US; Orbit UK)

Novella: All Systems Red, Martha Wells (Tor.com Publishing)

Novelette: “A Human Stain”, Kelly Robson (Tor.com 1/4/17)

Short Story: “Welcome to Your Authentic Indian ExperienceTM”, Rebecca Roanhorse (Apex8/17)

The Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation: Get Out (Written by Jordan Peele)

The Andre Norton Award for Outstanding Young Adult Science Fiction or Fantasy Book: The Art of Starving, Sam J. Miller (HarperTeen)

The Nebula Awards® were presented during the annual SFWA Nebula Conference, which runs from May 17th-20th and features seminars and panel discussions on the craft and business of writing, SFWA’s annual business meeting, and receptions. On Sunday, May 20th, a mass autograph session took place at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center and was open to the public.

The Nebula Awards® recognize the best works of science fiction and fantasy published in the United States as selected by members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, membership in which is open to professional genre authors. The first Nebula Awards® were presented in 1966.

In addition to the Nebula Awards®, SFWA presented the Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation, the Andre Norton Award for Outstanding Young Adult Science Fiction or Fantasy Book, the Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award, the Kevin O’Donnell, Jr. Service to SFWA Award, and the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award.

The 2019 SFWA Nebula Conference will take place at the Marriott Warner Center in Woodland Hills, CA from May 16th-19th.

For more information–please visit nebulas.sfwa.org or email pr@sfwa.org.

Martin P. Robinson Announced as 2018 SFWA Nebula Awards® Toastmaster

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) is pleased to announce that Martin P. Robinson will serve as Toastmaster for the 52nd Annual Nebula Awards® Ceremony. 
 
Mr. Robinson is a puppeteer who has worked for the Jim Henson Company for 37 years, performing a range of characters including Mr. Snuffleupagus, Telly Monster, Slimey the Worm, and the yip-yip Martians. 

In 1982 he designed, built and performed the carnivorous plant Audrey II for the original Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors, and designed/performed the show’s 2003 Broadway revival as well. Martin is the senior Muppet-style instructor for all International productions of Sesame street.

The Nebula Awards® will be presented on Saturday May 19th, during the annual SFWA Nebula Conference, which will run from May 17th-20th and feature seminars and panel discussions on the craft and business of writing, SFWA’s annual business meeting, and receptions. On May 20th, a mass autograph session will take place at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center and is open to the public.
 
The Nebula Awards® recognize the best works of science fiction and fantasy published in the United States as selected by members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, membership in which is open to professional science fiction and fantasy authors. The first Nebula Awards® were presented in 1966.
 
In addition to the Nebula Awards®,SFWA will present the Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation, the Andre Norton Award for Outstanding Young Adult Science Fiction or Fantasy Book,the Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award, the Kevin O’Donnell, Jr. Service to SFWA Award, and the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award.

Kevin O’Donnell, Jr. Service to SFWA Award To Be Presented to Bud Sparhawk

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) is pleased to announce that the Kevin O’Donnell, Jr. Service to SFWA Award will be presented to John C. “Bud” Sparhawk in Pittsburgh at the Marriott City Center.

Bud Sparhawk served as the Eastern Regional Director from 2007 until 2011, when he was elected SFWA Treasurer. 

When SFWA reincorporated in 2013, he became SFWA’s first Chief Financial Officer and helped see the organization through a time of transition. In his role as CFO, Sparhawk has formalized many aspects of SFWA’s financial landscape, including hiring a bookkeeper and comptroller, and consolidating a once fragmented system into an organized and tidy infrastructure. In addition to his duties as an officer of the organization, he has advised the Emergency Medical Fund and the Grants Committee and established SFWA’s Financial Advisory Committee.

SFWA President Cat Rambo has reflected on her time working with Sparhawk, and has this to say:

“It’s been a privilege to work with Bud throughout my time on the SFWA board. He has been instrumental in leading the organization into new financial stability and transparency as well as implementing the new Givers Fund Grant program.”

A prolific writer, Sparhawk has been a three-time Nebula Award finalist, published two novels, and has sold over a hundred shorter works to magazines such asJim Baen’s Universe, Abyss & Apex, Daily Science Fiction, Asimov’sandAnalog. He is also a member of SIGMA, which is a group comprised of SF writers who offer futurism consulting to the government and other NGOs. A U.S. Air Force Veteran, Sparhawk has established a long record of exemplary service both within the SFF community and beyond. 

The Kevin O’Donnell, Jr. Service to SFWA Award recognizes a member of SFWA who best exemplifies the ideal of service to his or her fellow members. O’Donnell won the Service Award in 2005.

The Nebula Awards® will be presented during the annual SFWA Nebula Conference, which will run from May 17th-20th and feature seminars, panel discussions on the craft and business of writing, SFWA’s annual business meeting, and receptions. On May 20th, a mass autograph session will take place at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center and is open to the public. For more details on the event, please visit nebulas.sfwa.org.

The Nebula Awards® recognize the best works of science fiction and fantasy published in the United States as selected by members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, membership in which is open to professional science fiction and fantasy authors and professionals. The first Nebula Awards® were presented in 1966.

In addition to the Nebula Awards®, SFWA will present the Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation, the Andre Norton Award for Outstanding Young Adult Science Fiction or Fantasy Book, the Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award, the Kevin O’Donnell, Jr. Service to SFWA Award, and the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award.