Introduction:

Some posts, I feel, speak for themselves. Needless to say, this was one of the highlights of my 2012, both on the blog and in real time. And recalling the magical “call” from Orbiteers Jenni Hill and Anne Clarke, shortly after the result was announced, is still a *warm glow* moment.

And yes, it really is a “most-read” post for 2012. 🙂

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The Heir of Night Wins — Yes, Wins! — the 2012 Gemmell Morningstar Award!

UK trade paperback

I am thrilled to announce that The Heir of Night, The Wall of Night Book One, has won the 2012 Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Fantasy Newcomer.

You can read the official announcement on the Gemmell Award site Here.

I found out this morning, via a telephone call from my Orbit UK editor, Jenni Hill. I believe my first words were “I don’t believe it” but I’ve been working on trying to believe it ever since!

The winners in the other two categories were:

The Legend Award for Best Fantasy Novel 2012: The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss.

The Ravenheart Award for Best Jacket Art: Raymond Swanland for The Blood Of Aenarion (Black Library.)

In terms of the The Heir of Night and the Morningstar Award win, I will post my official acceptance speech—read out for me by Jenni—tomorrow, but I am over the moon that “my story” has just won a major international Fantasy Award — and Reader’s Choice ‘to boot!’

The Heir of Night‘s win also checks several firsts, I believe, being the first time either the Legend or Morningstar awards have been won by either a Southern Hemisphere book or a woman author—so go the HEIR, I say!

Most of all though, a HUGE thank you to everyone of you who voted for The Heir of Night—because we couldn’t have done it without you!

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The Gemmell Morningstar Award 2012

To see the original post, including comments, please click here.

And here, by way of  a ‘bonus photo’, is the award itself! 😉