It’s that time of year again, folks, and this time there’s some interesting developments in the category department. Here’s the qualification blurb for novel form:
Best Speculative Fiction Story (Long Form)
* Novel-length stories containing elements of science fiction, fantasy or horror
* Story audio length (minus intro/promo) over 7 hours
* Uses only 1 or 2 people for the story presentation
* Work completed within the eligibility year and have not competed in a previous year
* Audio samples only, no video
It looks like I may have a chance to win a Parsec after all!
For reference, works completed between May 1, 2009, and April 30, 2010, are eligible for this year’s Parsec.
In my world, that’s two books — Captain’s Share (completed October 15, 2009 at something over 11 hours of audio), and Ravenwood (completed February , 2010 with more than 10 hours of audio). If they both make it to the finalist category, I’ll need to figure out which one to hold back. I made the mistake of competing against myself before and I think it was a strategic blunder.
Personally, I’m pleased to see these changes although I know that it puts some of my friends in an awkward spot. Well, we’ll see how it shakes out this year. I’ll still polish up my Susan Lucci Tiara for the ceremony.
Got our fingers crossed for recognition of a great story (both of them). Despite the cost in trees, hope they sell to the masses and bring new folks into the fold and reward you well. Please keep them coming.
Merritt
Good luck Nate! We’ve been rooting for you for years, and this year, I really hope you get one! Perhaps I’m biased towards Ish, but I’d go with Captain’s Share when (Not if) they both make it to the finals!
That is fantastic!
To be honest, I’d be hard-pressed to choose which one to go with, based on their individual merits only (not considering the previous ‘Share books as a potential bias… since I do am more biased toward Ish strictly because we have been traveling with him for so long). Both have equal footing, in my humble opinion, from the character development, story, drama, humor, and world-building standpoints.
I guess the way I would go WHEN they both make it to the finalist category is to evaluate which genre would have the better chance and then go with that one.
What type of Speculative Fiction (Long Form) has had the best showing as winners: Sci-Fi or Fantasy…?
Great news! I think u wuz robbed in the past – look forward to seeing things corrected this time around!
If it comes to a choice, I’d have to go with Captain’s Share. This is for two reasons: First, a win for Captain’s Share would really be a recognition of and win for the entire Share series, sort of like the massive Oscar win for Return of the King in 2003 was a recognition for all three LOTR movies. Second, while I liked Ravenwood very much, I didn’t feel it’s plot flow worked quite as well. It started with one kind of feel (meeting the villagers, discovering the woods, finding lots of ways to improve things), then took a ninety degree turn into a confrontation with the bandits. I would have liked to see those two threads weave back and forth a bit more. Of course, this is the hack telling the master how to paint (you certainly don’t see any book contracts coming MY direction!), so please feel free to take this comment and flush it, but insofar as a fan’s opinion is worth anything, there it is.
Hope you do great either way!
I agree with Bruce. I love Ravenwood, since you wrote it and it’s an intriguing spiritual tale (Like South Coast). However, I think Captain’s Share deserves a award more than Ravenwood. The whole Share series is amazing and it’s a shame it’s been passed over before now. I’m desperately anticipating the Share series print release to share with my less-audio-inclined family and friends! I wish you the best of luck!!! <3<3<3
Go with Captain’s Share if you end up having to make the choice. :) Ravenwood was very enjoyable indeed, but I think Captain’s Share even taken on its own is both the more awesome of the two and probably more appealing to a larger proportion of readers/listeners.
I’m with the majority of users here. Captain’s share would be the better choice. Not only because it would be acknowledging the entire share series, but in the minds of the judges, they’ll be more likely to be drawn to the panorama that is the solar clipper series. Stroke that fragile ego! Best of luck to one of the very best.