I just saw the news via Locus and I am so excited! Connie Willis is the next recipient Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master award for science fiction. I love Connie’s books and stories. Doomsday Book was incredible and for a time, I thought unbeatable. But then she came out with Blackout/All Clear which topped Doomsday Book (in my humble opinion) and also won her the Hugo and Nebula for Best Novel in 2010 (and it was the first Nebula that I was eligible to vote for).
I will be attending the festivities at the Nebula Award weekend this May–which is taking place practically across the street from my office and 10 minutes from my house–and I can’t wait to congratulate Connie in person. This is just so cool!
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Given how much you have loved her work, I can sense your excitement!
Paul, at Capclave a few years back, Connie Willis was guest of honor. I ran into her husband at the bar, and we ended up striking up a 2-hour long conversation while Connie was interviewed by someone. Afterward, when getting some books signed, she said to me that she would have much rather sat in on our conversation. Fast forward to the Nebula banquet last year. My wife and I were sitting at a table with, among others, Michael Whelan and his wife. The wives were getting along famously and I was mostly trying not to act star-struck that I have having dinner with Michael Whelan. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw some people approached and it was Connie Willis and her husband. They saw me sitting there and came to say hello. How cool is that! 😀
Still not Gene Wolfe is what I get from this news. Congrats to Willis, though. She’s definitely paid her dues.