Award Watch: The Gemmell Awards
With the excitement of the Sir Julius Vogel Awards 2011 and the fun of attending the ceremony now behind me, and final voting for the Hugo Awards not until 31 July (still got time to finish Gathering, read all the Hugo fiction contenders and blog about them—phew!) I thought it could be time to take a look at a few of the other awards currently “in train” out there.
I am particularly interested in the Gemmell Awards for two reasons. Firstly, I am a long time fan of David Gemmell, particularly his early novels such as Legend, Waylander and The King Beyond the Gate, and later works influenced by legendary history such as the Lion of Macedon and Dark Prince duology. I think it would be fair to say that David Gemmell was a huge influence on my own love of epic fantasy—although I believe, officially, his work is often referred to as “heroic fantasy.” Epic, heroic … I must admit, for me the categories have a very strong overlap.
At any rate, as a longtime fan of his works (I think The King Beyond the Gate might just be my favourite, although I very much liked his take on the strategos, Parmenion, in Lion of Macedon) I think it is very cool that part of his legacy is an award series that is specifically focused on Fantasy.
There are three categories of award by the way, each one named after one of David Gemmell’s books:
- The Legend Award for Best Fantasy Novel of the Year
- The Morningstar Award for Best Fantasy Newcomer/Debut
- The Ravenheart Award for Best Fantasy Book Jacket/Artist
The Gemmells are also a reader’s choice award so although works must be nominated by publishers, both selection of the finalists and also the winners in each category is by audience vote. So yes, this is a popularity contest—but that may be fitting given Gemmell was such an extremely popular author!
But I did say there was a second reason that I am particularly interested in the Gemmell Awards. My friend Mary Victoria’s debut novel, Tymon’s Flight, has been shortlisted for not one but two Gemmell Awards: both the Morningstar Award for Best Fantasy Debut and the Ravenheart Award for Best Fantasy Book Jacket!
The David Gemmell Legend Award ceremony will be held this Friday 17th June in London—so as you can imagine, I am holding my breath on Mary’s behalf for the result!
The full list of finalists are:
Legend Award for Best Fantasy Novel of the Year
- Brett, Peter V – The Desert Spear (Voyager)
- Heitz, Markus – The War Of The Dwarves (Orbit UK/US)
- Jordan, Robert And Sanderson, Brandon – Wheel Of Time: Towers Of Midnight (Orbit UK/Tor US)
- Pevel, Pierre – The Alchemist In The Shadows (Gollancz)
- Sanderson, Brandon – The Way Of Kings (Gollancz/Tor US)
- Weeks, Brent – The Black Prism (Orbit UK/US)
Morningstar Award for Best Fantasy Newcomer/Debut
- Charlton, Blake – Spellwright (Tor US)
- Hinks, Darius – Warrior Priest (The Black Library)
- Jemisin, N.K. – The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (Orbit UK/US)
- Pehov, Alexey – Shadow Prowler (Tor US)
- Victoria, Mary – Tymon’s Flight (Harpercollins Australia)
Ravenheart Award for Best Fantasy Book Jacket/Artist
- Einarsdottir, Olof Erla – Power & Majesty (Harpercollins Australia)
- Lockwood, Todd – The Ragged Man (Pyr)
- Nielsen, Cliff – The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (Orbit UK/US)
- Sullivan, Jon – Shadow King (The Black Library)
- Victoria, Frank – Tymon’s Flight (Harpercollins Australia)
Actually, there’s something very interesting about those lists, which I didn’t spot quite so clearly until I set them all out together on the one page (possibly because I’ve mainly been looking at just the Morningstar page until now.) I wonder if you’ve spotted it as well? If you need a clue, until now I’ve mainly been thinking how well Mary and Tymon’s Flight have done, getting on the shortlist for an international award. But this has made me think that she and Tymon’s Flight have done doubly well … Post a comment if you think you know why I might say that.
Frank is nominated for the Ravenheart Award?
(& yes, have voted)
Yes he is, in the sense that the cover of Tymon’s Flight is a finalist and he is the artist.
Helen, you’re so kind! I was touched to the quick by this post – thank you for your kind words, and continued support.
I think it’ll be hard to best Jemisin and Charlton in the Morningstar category, as they both excellent and very popular debuts. But, as you say, it’s a fine thing just to be there.
I do, however, have a little flutter of hope for the Ravenheart… call me biased, but I do like Frank’s work better than all the others on offer. 😉
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is a very good book, but then so too is Tymon’s Flight—I’ll admit to not being quite so taken with Spellwright, despite the ‘idea’ and I haven’t read Warrior Priest or Shadow Prowler although I’m sure they are both good reads. Ah well, now all we can do is chew our nails and hope!
Good luck to all the finalists!
Yes indeed, but I’ll admit to particularly cheering for Mary and Frank since they’re my buddies. 😉
Good luck to all!
Im new at watching these so I know Im missing the second thing. So Im looking forward to finding out what it is.
DonnaS, I’ll let you know a little later in the week, probably Wednesday if the earthquake aftermath does not take over …
Tymon’s Flight has been short-listed in both the Morning Star category for Best Newcomer and Ravenheart for Best Book Jacket.
Exactly so—and very exciting for both Mary & Frank, as well as NZ Spec Fic!
I’m a bit ashamed to admit I haven’t read anything written by David Gemmell. Time to begin!
I recommend starting with Legend as that is probably his most famous book. Lion of Macedon could also be a good starter because it has a slightly different focus and is part of a standalone duology ‘world’-wise.