science fiction and fantasy

Attention, science-fiction and fantasy fans: The nominees for this years Hugos, one of the premier awards in the SF/F genre, have been announced. Although nobody will ever agree on each and every nominee, its still surprising to many fans that genre juggernaut Neil Gaimans Anansi Boys didnt even make the final list—it was predicted to be a shoo-in for the top spot—while relative long shots got the nod. In no surprise at all, Charles Strosss Accelerando (the beginnings of which we described in Is Science Fiction About to Go Blind?; August 2004) is among the finalists. I went 1 for 2 for my favorite gigantor novels in 2005 (apparently 2005 was an epic-fantasy year for me): George R.R. Martins A Feast for Crows is a finalist, but R. Scott Bakkers The Warrior-Prophet isnt. (Boo!) In the film category, everyone Ive asked is stumping for Joss Whedons Serenity. In TV, Battlestar Galactica gets the American vote; the Brits are more keen on the new Doctor Who. The winners wont be announced until August at WorldCon, where Ill be hanging with people wielding broadswords (and, most likely, beer) and avoiding roving packs of Klingons. Let the sniping begin! —Martha Harbison