So, I went to the SFX Weekender at Camber Sands. And while there, talking and meeting people and watch my editors get scarily into their air hockey, I found myself flicking through the schedule looking for where the hell I was supposed to be next, and discovered a page entitled ‘Awards’. And there were awards for everything; books, TV, film and even Best Collectable, Model or Toy, whose shortlisted entries included Star Trek badges and Star Wars headphones.
Now, I had no idea about this, and was still trying to figure out whether it was left at the biohazard zone or right at the giant dancing robot, when I found the Midnight Mayor had been nominated in the book category along with Kraken by China Mieville (scarily intelligent man), I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett (god) and The Passage by Justin Cronin, about whom I’m embarrassed to say I know very little, but will try to rectify this ignorance as soon as possible.
And on this revelation, I should say a number of things. Firstly… how cool is that?! I had no idea and yeap, it’s made my day that bit brighter. Second up… I get the impression that this is something people vote for, which kinda makes it cooler to my mind and, scarily, implies that people have read the books… or liked the cover, who can say… in which case… hello anyone who voted! A surprised but genuine thank you!
I’ve never really won any awards. I mean, I’ve been nominated for a few, which does wonderful things for my mood and terrible things to my ego, but apart from the school chess cup I’m not really awards woman. Which made my astonishment that much more satisfactory…
For a start, and most importantly, how cool is it to be on the same list as Terry Pratchett and China Mieville? I have a sneaky recollection that last year A Madness of Angels was competing in the same category against Pratchett and Gaiman, and got beaten into third place in the voting by both of the above. And I’ll admit, on finding this out, I was dancing round the room. Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett are two of my gods; to beat them would have been a dishonour that could have disembowelled a samurai, and being even on the same list as them is such a surreal experience that I actually struggle to find suitable words for it. Maybe when I’m forty, I’ll feel differently on the subject, but right now, even being on the same shortlist as these writers who I’ve adored ever since the Barbican library issued me my first borrower’s card, is the most fantastic feeling.
Asking for directions in Camber Sands...
5 comments
David Brider says:
February 7, 2011 at 6:30 pm (UTC 1 )
I read sadly very few books last year (on account of starting “Madness of Angels” at the start of July and finishing “The Midnight Mayor” at the end of November), but honestly, “The Midnight Mayor” is one I’ll happily recommend to folks looking for a good book to read. Whether I’d vote it above the books it was nominated against is another matter, as I’ve not read them (which means, thinking about it, that I’d probably vote for it by default. Erm.). Although I did read Pratchett’s “Nation” last year, and despite him being one of my favourite writers too, I’d definitely rate …Angels and …Mayor higher than that.
May you win many many awards.
Megan says:
February 8, 2011 at 6:20 pm (UTC 1 )
I was really pleased to see you listed (it’s great to see other people appreciate what you yourself enjoy) and so can’t really think how much that must have pleased you. I had a good time at the weekender – talking to you and the Alternate England (or should that be London) Panel were both enjoyable and interesting highlights. The key question however is did you see the baby playing with the black rider you pictured above?
Susan in New York says:
February 10, 2011 at 6:49 pm (UTC 1 )
Kate, I have read all the books you mentioned and in my humble opinion, “The Midnight Mayor” most definitely deserves to be among the nominees. All are extremely good, if very different, books. And, yours is the only one that makes that strange little hidden part of me wish that a fictional character wasn’t so fictional in the end… Matthew Swift sets my imagination to flight!
Xavier says:
February 14, 2011 at 5:29 am (UTC 1 )
I think it is worth pointing out that you came 2nd. Number two. Ahead of China (eek!) and the Passage (Zzzz). You totally deserve it too, I keep having to go back and read the second interlude over and over for its inherent awesomeness.
Oh, that Pratchett guy won. Damn Witches…
David Brider says:
February 14, 2011 at 1:26 pm (UTC 1 )
I was pleasantly surprised to see Midnight Mayor at number two (which I only found out when I actually ready through the latest issues).
I’m hoping their next issue will contain a review of The Neon Court. The reviews of the first two books in the Matthew Swift series have been very positive.