The Hugos/Campbell This Year: A Discussion Thread

Posted on May 29, 2007    Posted by John Scalzi

For the science fiction geeks out there: Is it just my imagination, or does there seem to be relatively little discussion of the Hugos/Campbell this year — and particularly little discussion of the Best Novel nominees? Bear in mind this perspective might be skewed by the fact that last year a book of mine was a Best Novel nominee, so I was probably paying attention more last year. On the other hand, I am a Hugo nominee this year, too, so it’s not like I’m entirely out of the loop at the moment. The only really substantive discussion was early on, discussing the dearth of female nominees in the fiction categories.

I guess what I’m saying is that I’m interested in hearing folks’ thoughts about the Hugos this year, since I really haven’t heard as much out there as I usually do by this time of year, and I think some discussion would be good. I’m particularly interested in your thoughts in the fiction categories, especially the Best Novel category, which this year I think is interesting because I can plausibly construct scenarios in which four of the five nominees walk away with the award; last year I saw only two plausible scenarios (and no, me winning was not one of them).

So: Hugos! Campbell! Discuss! Don’t feel obliged to discuss the Best Fan Writer category, however, as that smacks of self-serving-ness here on this site. Here’s the nominee list again.

Also feel free to discuss whether there has been a lack of Hugo discussion this year, and if so, why. Because I’d like to know that, too.