Matthew's Journal

The short-list for this year's Hugo Awards is available (has been for a while), and there's a useful analysis of the puppy-slate issues here. Voting is open until the end of July.

I'd like to read at least most of the nominees (I've previously had a "don't read the puppies" policy, but that's going to be tricky this year), but presumably there will at some point be a voter packet which will contain some of them. And on past form, while there are some nominees I'm likely to want in dead tree in due course, there are others where an e-book version to read once would be just fine.

So, DoeS aNyBody know when the voter packet will be out and/or what's likely to be in it (or, for local folk, feel like lending me any of the nominees), please? The only one I've read thus far is Ancillary Mercy.

It's very nearly the deadline for nominations for the 2016 Hugo Awards (I must finish mine off soon!). I'd like to encourage you to consider nominating "Gunnerkrigg Court Volume 5: Refine" (publ. Archaia Studios Press) for the Best Graphic Story category.

Gunnerkrigg Court is a webcomic by Tom Siddell. Volume five (published in a very nice hardback) starts with chapter 42, and finishes with some pigeon-based frivolity after chapter 49.

GKC follows the lives of students (2 in particular, Annie and Kat) who study at the eponymous institution which is clearly more than just a boarding school. The setting is an alternate reality; the events of WW2 have clearly occurred in the recent-ish past, but there are advanced robots and similar technology as well as more fantastic creatures and processes (termed "etheric"). Annie has a natural affinity for the etheric, whereas Kat has an intuitive grasp of robotics. The Court (which is primarily technological) is divided by a deep ravine from the Gillitie Wood (whose inhabitants are more etheric in nature), and Kat and Annie are soon drawn into the conflict between these two factions.

GKC has some of the elements of coming-of-age story that you might expect from a book set in a boarding school, but I think it is more concerned with the tensions between the scentific vs etheric understandings of the world, and the power of stories. It weaves in elements of European and North American mythology, and has a number of female lead characters. I really like the slowly-evolving mysteries of its plot lines, the sense of atmosphere, and a good leaven of humour. It has great world-building, and an unusual blend of fantastical and sci-fi elements.

So: nominate it for a Hugo! I'm happy to lend my dead-tree copies to any local friends...