It’s been a really amazing summer for this here Fox, and their new acolyte . . .

Disclaimer: There are so, so many absolutely fantastic books that do not get recognized for awards at all, and not receiving a nomination or anything is in no way an indication of the awesomeness of your work. A lot of big name awards in this particular industry (the Nebulas, the Hugos, etc.) create shortlists out of the works that A: the majority of readers know about and are exposed to through major budgets, author’s names and reputations, etc., and B: they nominate the books and the people they know and love. And there’s nothing wrong with that! Those particular awards, at least, are meant to capture the popular vote from the general public. Likewise, there are plenty of other awards that are built from specific guidelines, various juries, and from different expectations.

In fact, the growth of award models that are not just influenced by the reading public but by the mission of certain authors (the Le Guin Award), or the recognition of authors/figures/titles that deliberately are NOT also recognized by the greater industry (the Ignytes), has been really wonderful to see.

And speaking as an author who, up until a few months ago, had only ever been nominated for an award once in twelve years of publishing . . . it’s a really nice feeling! But it didn’t suddenly change my career or solve my problems; what it did do was tell me that not only were people watching my work, they were enjoying it.

Sometimes that’s all you need to keep going. And I’ve been very fortunate that in my career, these moments of positivity and encouragement have happened at just the right time. I got into Best American SFF after a story of mine hit big, after years of working with not much recognition. I got nominated for the Ignyte Award for Best Short Story after years of not being able to publish or sell anything. I got invited into the Vox Machina anthology after years of IP work and outreach/pitches/lunches to editors.

And now, with my debut book being out in the world for almost a year now(!), I find myself approaching that anniversary with four significant award nominations under my belt. As listed above, they are:

• The Crawford Award

• The Mythopoeic Award

• The Ignyte Award

• The World Fantasy Award

Any one of those would have been enough to validate the years of work and rejection. Heck, getting two would have been more than enough, a confirmation that the first wasn’t just some fluke or chance of fate. But three, let alone four? Not only a deep honor, but it tells me something: this book means a lot to people. It’s affected people beyond being entertaining, or a reprieve from the world.

That’s . . . really all any writer hopes for at the end of the day: that what they put their heart into was met not just with enthusiasm, but love.

So as amazing as it would be to win, in a lot of ways, I feel like I’ve already won. I don’t want to be corny, but as they say, it REALLY IS just an honor to be nominated! And for awards that, respectively, recognize debut fantasy books, fantasy novels that are doing something new in the field, work and authors perhaps under recognized in the field, and highlighting the best fantasy of the year.

This Fox and their Nesi have gone so much farther than I ever believed possible, and if you’re one of those folks who bought a copy, read it, and told someone about it, from the bottom of my anatomically correct heart, thank you. Sincerely, thank you. Whatever happens, even if it takes me years to publish some other book, a fire has been lit within me and I will use its light and fire to guide me forward.

Because there are still many stories I want to tell. And we’re just getting started.

Of the awards, the Ignyte is currently open to public voting and will remain open until the end of day Sunday, August 16th. If you’ve yet to vote and wish to, you can do so here, and I’d be honored if you voted for Audition For The Fox. My fellow nominees are incredible, and any one of them would be worthy.

More to come as the school year approaches, and thank you, friends, for all your love and support.

Let’s follow the light, and see what we find <3