I know I pimp my book a lot, but this time I really mean it.
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The Hugo is science fiction’s Oscar; an award given out to the best books that came out the previous year. I was really surprised a few years ago when I saw some people were trying to get my Bad Astronomy book nominated in the "Best Related Book" category. It didn’t get nominated, though, but I had to laugh when the book that did win for that category was written by two friends of mine (The Art of Chesley Bonestell, a book I own and love).
Anyway, it occurred to me that maybe a book I wrote recently might qualify for this category. Thing is, you can’t just nominate or vote, you have to have attended or supported last year’s World SF Con in Denver last year (Denvention) or attend or support the Anticipation con this year (having done so by January 31).
So here it is, the blatant beg: any BABloggees out there who read my book, liked it, and qualify, I would surely appreciate it if Death from the Skies were in the running. Here’s the nomination form with the rules. I’d love to win it, of course, but seriously just being able to say "The Hugo Nominated Book" would mean the world to me. I’ve been a con-attending nerd my whole life, and the Hugo is, well, it’s a big deal.
Thanks. The nominations close on February 28.
February 16th, 2009 at 7:08 am
Phil, please, get up off your knees… no, let go of my hand! (Ick, now I’ll have to wash it, you got slobber all over it.)
Seriously, I know a few Denver fans who qualify. I’ve already FWD’d your request. Good luck.
February 16th, 2009 at 7:33 am
So what’s next after Death Phil? The fictionalised chapter intros suggest you could turn your hand to SF. Whaddayareckon?
February 16th, 2009 at 7:55 am
Shane: it’s a thought I’ve had. But right now isn’t the time; there are too many other things I’m working on. I’ve played around with some ideas, and maybe sometime in the next year I’ll have the chance to expand on them.
Joe: thanks.
February 16th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Someone give him a cookie… poor guy!!
February 16th, 2009 at 8:08 am
I think you just want that trophy to display, right under your poster of the keyhole nebula.
I’m not even sure what that means!
February 16th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Oops, don’t qualify as I am a biologist/bioengineer who does not generally read science fiction.
Heck, I didn’t even know who Frederik Pohl was until I read his non-fiction book, Chasing Science: Science as a spectator sport, of which I also did a video review. (oh, I’ve been lambasted by some of my nerdy bioengineering students over my ignorance!)
Phil, I do believe your strong suit is making the real science of astronomy accessible to the layman. I hope you keep yourself busy with that for a long time. Best of luck in being nominated/winning.
February 16th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Ahem… Interesting looking award…
Wish I could nominate you. I haven’t gotten a chance to read it yet, but my 11 year-old science-freak son (I’m so proud!) LOVES it, so I’m sure that I will, too.
Good luck!
February 16th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Already done! I nominated Death! the day the form went live.
Now, if you make the final list, you coming to Montreal?
February 16th, 2009 at 11:07 am
You go, Phil!
J/P=?
February 16th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Are you really this desperate for attention?
February 16th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
“Oops, don’t qualify as I am a biologist/bioengineer who does not generally read science fiction.”
Gee — ever hear of Isaac Asimov? Perhaps you have researched thiotimoline?
And fans can see one of Babylon 5’s Hugos on General Ivanova’s desk in the last episode – a bit of on-screen bragging to those in the know.
February 16th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Trucker: Much thanks. I appreciate it.
Bill: Go away. Reread the post first though.
Radwaste: The Endochronic Properties of Resublimated Thiotimoline was a favorite story when I was in high school.
February 16th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Of course I know Isaac because he also wrote some very good science books, not just sci-fi. For better or worse, I also happen to WATCH some sci-fi. And naturally, all good biochem and organic chem labs included the reference to thiotimoline, so I am “in the know” wrt this compound ‘with marvelous properties!
Asimov’s ability to write “false” papers about this compoundalso come up in circles where we discuss competent scientific journal writing.The Micropsychiatric Applications of Thiotimoline is a blast.
At least he was very creative about the whole thing. Much better than SCIgen creating papers accepted at conferences…although that is so amusing, too.
February 16th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
That looks like one dangerous vibrator.
February 16th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
That sucker -BELONGS- on your desk!
You’d have my vote if I was voting!
February 16th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
The Bad Astronomer, in the Observatory, with the Hugo Award.
February 18th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
[...] seen quite a few Hugo pimpage posts this year, but this one by Phil Plait on the Discover Magazine blog is our favorite so far. Sure, he’s pimping his book, but look [...]
February 24th, 2009 at 7:00 am
[...] nominating committee asking me to remind folks that the nomination process ends on February 28. I have details about nominating for a Hugo in an earlier post. If you qualify to participate in the process, well, you know what to do. But do it soon! [...]
February 24th, 2009 at 9:25 am
If “The Constant” from Lost doesn’t win short form, I’ll be very upset.
March 20th, 2009 at 10:30 am
[...] nuts. I just found out that Death from the Skies! did not garner a Hugo nomination. Oh well. I have more books up my brain. Thanks to everyone who voted for [...]