AML AWARD: fiction nominees

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As you may recall, all I really want in life is an AML Award. This dream cane true in 2011 when I was awarded an editing award for the Sunstone comics issue. As is the way with humans, however, I then discovered I was not satisfied. I still wanted one, but in my true field: fiction.

Well, this year I'm taking a step closer, having been shortlisted. Shortlisted, I might add, against some incredible competition. In fact, the entire list of fiction nominations in all three categories is a Venn diagram of great writers and good friends, with plenty of people in the middle.

Let's start with my category, short fiction:

“Remainder” by Spencer Hyde

Someone new for me to discover! Delight!

“The Naked Woman” by Theric Jepson

I'm quite proud of this story but it never occurred to me it might interest the judges. I know who one of the judges is and I'm immensely flattered that a writer of his quality thinks well enough of my story to nominate it, notwithstanding its lack of explicit Mormon content.

“Absolute Zero” by Scott Parkin

I haven't read enough of Scott's work. I take this as an appropriate upbrainding.

“An Immense Darkness” by Eric James Stone

Eric's willingness to participate in Monsters & Mormons was one of the major immediate lendings of legitimacy to the entire project. I haven't read this one, but it's online, so I'll get on that.

Short-story collection:

Dark Watch and Other Mormon-American Stories by William Morris

I love William, I have this collection, have read much of it in the past, but haven't read it straight through yet as a collection.

Wandering Realities: Mormonish Short Fiction by Steve L. Peck

I love Steven, I have this collection, have read much of it in the past, but haven't read it straight through yet as a collection.

Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Wives by Karen Rosenbaum

I love Karen, I have this collection, have read much of it in the past, but haven't read it straight through yet as a collection.

Seriously. They could not be nominating three people I admire more.


Novel:

The Agitated Heart by J. Scott Bronson

I've been hearing about this book for years. I didn't know until just recently that it was finally available.

Son of the Black Sword by Larry Correia

I think I have an ARC of this book. I haven't started it yet because I was lent another Correia book by a friend which I . . . am having a hard time getting through. Maybe this one would've been a better place to start.

His Right Hand by Mette Ivie Harrison

I like hanging with Mette on Twitter. Here's my take on the book.

Sistering by Jennifer Quist

Her fist book was one of my favorites of recent history so I bought this as soon as it came out. Still haven't read it though . . . .