Here Be Dragon Awards
Can you tell I'm running out of titles?
I’ve made it.
This is the final Dragon Award post for 2021. Whew.
As much as I like talking about books, doing it in this format has been like nailing smoke to the wall. I’d much rather just talk about books endlessly. Trying to gather people around a particular flag and run with it isn’t my forte.
Anyway, if you’re new here, I’ve talked about the Dragon Awards often. if you’ve tracked … any of my movements on social media lately, you’ll know that I’ve talked often about the Dragon Awards.
The last time I posted about this, I wanted to explain why I care, and why I think you should too.
The short version is, if we don’t vote, then who will?
…And we know who will; largely people who have no taste in SFF. If you don’t believe me, just look at the Awards in 2020. I can’t find anyone who liked them. Funny enough, no one will talk about whether or not they voted in them either.
You get the books you vote for… and in this case, you get the finalists you don’t vote for.
In 2020, the dirtbags who are interested in taking over every aspect of American life moved in. DragonCon has always been a place where everyone can show up, do their own thing, and be left alone.
From my varied and sundry sources, people are trying to make it not that.
So yes, we need to push back.
Voting in the Dragons is a way of making sure that we can all push back without any investment … aside from a little bit of time.
… Not me. I’ve invested hours in doing these posts, so humor me, huh?
Now, the nominations are already open! So you can vote now, or just after reading this post.
For you folks, I’m also going to give you my reason for why I’m voting for each, and why I think it’s important.
But first…
My thought process
I'm not nominating anyone who already has an award. Most of those who have won already have the attitude of “Oh, I don’t need more dust collectors.”
I’m leaving out Big Name Authors. Frankly, if you're Jim Butcher or a Baen author, you don't need my help.
If I leave the categories blank, it means I STILL got nothing. Even at this date.
If you’re new here, you may wonder why I’m not having a full, massive, months-long discussion, gathering up every eligible author and product.
Been there.
Done that.
It turned into an unmanageable mess. Authors came in a hit and run to my posts, screamed "ME ME ME" in the comments, then dropped links to their book and ran. There was no discussion.
It was so bad that people who had already suggested their book contacted me directly so I could add their book to the list. Again. After that, I knew no one actually read the damn blog.
Anyway, where was I?
Oh yes, the books!
Best Science Fiction Novel
Karl Gallagher: Storm Between the Stars.
I read it. I reviewed it. It's really quite awesome. It's like if 1984 were written by David Weber.
(My problem is that book 2 is even better... but it's probably best to nominate book ones whenever possible.)
My colleague over at Upstream Reviews also liked it.
Why is it important to nominate this?
Because 1984 should be a warning, not an instruction manual.
I would be remiss if I did not mention that my friend Richard Paolinelli also has a book up for nomination, Galen’s Way. I’ve reviewed it over here. It was a hard-run thing, but Karl won out.
Best Fantasy Novel (Including Paranormal)
Overlooked Again, by Jon Mollison
Why is it important? Because of the enemy. If you’ve read the first one, you know that they make the Illuminati look like a childish fantasy…
In part because this one looks like a very realistic nightmare. Jon even has a rigged election. And this book came out before November 2020.
You’re probably wondering: why is this in fantasy? Wasn’t the first one a spy novel?
Our villains include a wizard and someone wielding an Atlantean artifact. Trust me, there’s plenty of fantasy in here.
Another option is from an acquaintance of mine, NR LaPoint. Since he did the graphics, I figure I should at least mention him. :)
Chalk is a surprisingly awesome novel. I reviewed it over at Upstream Reviews. It was … something you’d have to read to believe.
Best Young Adult / Middle Grade Novel
How do I put this … do you miss the days when science fiction didn’t automatically turn into “atheist fantasy“? I’ve seen very few who have Christian SF, and I see even fewer who do it this well. And those I know who do it this good … haven’t come out with anything eligible.
Paula Richey spent the entire book worldbuilding. It’s shown in almost ever interaction between the two, and their actions and thought processes throughout the novel.
If David Weber could do this in his novels, they’d be at least 20% shorter.
Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel
Kai Wai Cheah, Unmasked. Half of this is a military engagement of one sort or another. And he gives Larry a run for his money in the gun porn.
Why nominate it? Because the last thing we want is for John Scalzi to get it. Ugh. He already won last year, which was bad enough.
Maybe the 2020 Dragons can have an asterisk next to it. It would only be fair. Heh heh heh.
Best Alternate History Novel
Educated Luck, Mel Todd. Heavily magic, heavy on alternate history and the development on the world. It would probably be best in fantasy, but I like it here.
Best Media Tie-In Novel
Everyone, feel free to suggest something.
I'm going to just assume that Timothy Zahn is going to get it. After all, he wrote a Thrawn novel in the past year.
However, someone has suggested a Warhammer 40K novel: Penitent
Best Horror Novel
Hussar, Declan Finn
For the record, no, I don’t read horror. I have no interest in nihilistic garbage that seems to be most of the genre.
However, I can write horror that will threaten our heroes, scare the crap out of readers, and end up in a massive running shootout.
But that’s just the opinion of … everyone who’s read my Saint Tommy novels.
Best Comic Book
Yes, this is the same author as Penance. But just take a look at this comic, seriously.
Best Graphic Novel
This is not mine, really.
Demon Slayer, by Koyoharu Gotouge was suggested to me by @ArchivistPulp on Twitter.
It's Japanese, but I also get the impression it's also very Christian.
Also…
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy TV Series
Demon Slayer is also a TV show.
Heh Heh heh
But wait, it gets better.
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Movie
Demon Slayer.
Yes, Demon Slayer is also a movie. And it’s doing pretty damn good, really. It blew away all of the competition and the last time I checked, it was closing in on making nearly half a BILLION dollars.
How’s that for Avenger’s money, huh?
Next year, it’ll also be a video game.
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy PC / Console Game
Hades
This one was suggested to me. But from what I’ve seen, it looks kinda awesome. I’m probably going to play it once it becomes cheap enough.
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Mobile Game
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Miniatures / Collectible Card / Role-Playing Game
I have nothing. Lots of nothing. For any of the above elements. So if you have anything, you let me know, would you?
However, I must stress a few things
1) The eligibility window for the 2021 Dragon Awards is from 7/1/2020 to 6/30/2021
2) The Nomination Deadline is July 19, 2021. It’s weeks away. If you you have a suggestion, or want in on this conversation, now would be a good time.
But if you’re ready to go right now, click here