i did not win an award
and i'm okay
my story “six meals at fanelli’s” was published in fusion fragment #16 in april 2023. (that link takes you to the page where you can buy the magazine in print or download the ebook at set-your-own price, including $0.) in january i submitted the story for consideration for the wsfa (washington, d.c., science fiction association) small press award. in july i found out it was one of eight finalists for the award, which was presented this weekend at the annual capclave convention in rockville, maryland, a city which i have previously only associated with the r.e.m. song.
i did not win, and that is okay. i am a little sad, of course, but i guess it's true when people say it's an honor just to be nominated. i was up against stellar stories, including one by last year’s winner, naomi kritzer. (previous winners also include ursula vernon/t. kingfisher and peter s. beagle!!!) so it would have been nice, but my name will always be on that finalist list. (the award comes with a $500 prize, so i am mostly sad about the 2.5 hours of tattoos i won’t be getting with that prize money.)
they asked me to provide a speech to be read if i won, and this is what i sent:
I wrote this story because my dad died and I was sad, but also because my brain kept whispering what-if’s until I had the idea for Nora and her dad. Fanelli’s is a real place in New York City, the second oldest continually operating pub in the entire city. It was also my father’s regular pub for over thirty years. The bartender and waitresses in the story are named after real people who have worked there over the years. I visit whenever I am in New York, and every time I walk through the door feels like stepping back through time.
Thank you so much to WSFA, to the voters, and to Fusion Fragment—especially editor Cavan Terrell—for publishing this story in the first place. I am sorry that I couldn’t be there in person to congratulate my fellow finalists, who are some of the finest writers working today. What an honor to be on a ballot with you. I send my thanks from California.
congratulations to kai homewood, who won for “A Bowl of Soup on the 87th Floor.” it’s a stunning story and i’m so glad it won.