Because it’s pretty, that’s why.
No, I’m not trying to suck up to my in-laws. I’ve been in the family for sixteen years, dating back to the day this picture was taken. We’re waaaaay past the sucking-up stage, I have to say. I have the wife! And the child! They can’t be taken away now! Bwa ha ha hah ha ha ha! Actually, I don’t want to test that proposition, since it would involve shovels, a dark hole in the ground, and an entire clan of tight-lipped Ohioans. “Hey, didn’t Krissy have a husband at one point?” “She might have.” “What happened to him?” “Couldn’t say.” And that would be that.
But none of that is in the offing, so to speak. I’m noting that I’m thankful for my in-laws Mike and Dora because, quite simply, I genuinely like them and am appreciative of them in all sorts of ways great and small. A small way: When Athena was younger and Krissy and I wanted a date night, they were happy to babysit. It’s not a big deal, but date nights are, actually — it’s nice to be able to spend time with your spouse and just your spouse. Another small way: Dora is a fantastic hostess and if you escape her house having consumed less than 18,000 calories you may have gone to the wrong house. Yet another: Mike mows my lawn. Actually, that’s not small, since my lawn is five acres.
One not so small way: I keep them in mind when I’m writing my novels. Neither of them is generally a big science fiction reader — he likes history and she likes Nora Roberts and Julie Garwood — but both of them read my books, because, well, I’m their son-in-law. And I want them to be able to enjoy them. So when I write I ask myself if whatever science fictional concept I’m playing is being written in a way that my in-laws will follow. This is emphatically not the same as dumbing down the writing — these aren’t stupid people — but is a way to remind myself that not everyone knows the last 30 years of science fiction literature, and that it’s worth it to bring those folks into the story when it’s possible. I don’t write for Mike and Dora (or other non-sf readers) specifically, but I try to write for them too. I think that’s made a material and positive difference in my career.
One very big way: The ways in which I see the both of them in my wife. From Dora there’s her considerable wells of understanding and empathy, a desire to make people welcome and comfortable in her home, the warmth of her friendship and an extraordinary reservoir of stubbornness which makes her a force to be reckoned with. From Mike there’s her stillness and reserve, a thoughtfulness that most people lack, her no-nonsense straight-line thinking that makes her the person others turn to for help and advice, and the personal strength of character that makes her the rock her family — and I, certainly — have built their foundation upon. And also, I suspect, her physical strength, because, damn, that woman is strong.
It’s a pretty nifty thing to see the things ones admires in one’s spouse and be able to trace them back to the parents; it means it’s not just a lucky thing they’re there. I can see some of these same qualities developing in my daughter. I don’t wonder where they came from.
Plus, they’re just good people, and really, that can’t be appreciated enough.
So, Mike and Dora: Thanks for being you, thanks for being great parents to your daughter, thanks for being terrific grandparents to my daughter, and thanks for always making me feel welcome, going back to the very first time we ever met, at that July 4th party in 1993. I love you guys and am thankful you are part of my life. May I never cause you to reach for a shovel.
Each year the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) presents the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy, celebrating the best writing in our genre, for our newest readers. Previous recipients of the award include Holly Black, J.K. Rowling and Terry Pratchett. The award is presented at the Nebula Awards ceremony, which in 2012 will be on May 19, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia.
In addition to the nominations for the award offered by SFWA members at large, SFWA also fields a Norton jury, which has the option of adding up to three additional works to the ballot, to ensure a wide selection of the best in YA science fiction and fantasy. We are seeking devoted YA readers to participate in this year’s Norton Jury.
Potential jurors should fulfill each of the three following criteria:
1. Be an Active or Lifetime Active member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America;
2. Have a broad knowledge of the young adult science fiction and fantasy field, with a particular knowledge of books released in the 2011 calendar year;
3. Have an ebook reader or the ability to read electronic books through their computers, tablets, cell phones, etc.
Jurors will discuss works and choices through a mailing list. The jury will be empaneled from Late November through the Nebula nomination process, with its service completed shortly before the announcement of the Nebula nominations in February. Members of the jury with eligible books must agree to withdraw their work from consideration by the jury. Those books may still be nominated by the membership at large.
You will read many books!
If you are interested in participating in this year’s Norton jury, please send an e-mail to “jury@stonehut.org” by noon Eastern, Friday, November 18, 2011. We will be making jury selections quickly so be ready to jump right in.
Thank you for your interest!
John Scalzi
President, SFWA
You can see it here, if you like. They pinged me yesterday and asked if they use it. I said, “sure.” I’m guessing that if the folks at Klout managed to miss it yesterday, they’ll catch it today.
