The fantasy/science fiction convention Dragon Con has revealed the nominees for its inaugural Dragon Awards, celebrating novels, comics, films, television and games from across the varied subgenres of SFF.
The Dragon Awards were announced back in April, and since then have suffered from definite teething problems. The eligibility period for nominations underwent a last-minute change; after this came a delay in the announcement of the finalists, which were supposed to have been made public on 2 August. But then, it is perhaps to be expected for a new awards initiative to have a rocky road in its first year.
It is hard to discuss the Dragon Awards in depth without mentioning another SFF award, the Hugos, and the controversy arising from the Sad Puppies campaign. Certain authors involved with this movement, including its founder Larry Correia, mobilised their fanbases to nominate them in the Dragon Awards’ online poll. It should not be a surprise, then, that the ballot contains books by multiple Sad Puppy authors: alongside Correia are John C. Wright, Brian Niemeier, Declan Finn, Dave Freer and Nick Cole. Cole’s nominee, Ctrl Alt Revolt!, became a particular cause célèbre for the Sad Puppies after HarperVoyager reportedly turned it down due to a perceived anti-abortion subtext.
However, it should be stressed that the award guidelines specifically allow this kind of campaigning from authors: “the Dragon Awards are a fan choice,” states the official website, “and it is perfectly acceptable for you to encourage your fans to vote for you.” So, whatever criticisms can be made of their behaviour at the Hugos, the Sad Puppies are playing entirely within Dragon Con’s rules.
Also on the ballot are multiple authors who are popular amongst the anti-Puppy segment of the Hugos, including Ann Leckie, John Scalzi, N. K. Jemisin and Ms. Marvel scribe G. Willow Wilson. Sitting alongside them are various writers who have not been noticeably championed by any faction of the culture war, such as Alethea Kontis, DC Universe: Rebirth‘s Geoff Johns and the late Terry Pratchett.
In short, it is a ballot that reflects a varied range of tastes and philosophies, mixing big names with relative newcomers. Perhaps this time around, fandom will be able to get along…
Winners are scheduled to be announced at Dragon Con, which will be held from September 2 to September 5 in Atlanta. The ballot is not currently available on the Dragon Con website, but it has been issued to registered voters; here is the full list of nominees:
1. Best Science Fiction Novel
Agent of the Imperium by Marc Miller
Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie
Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson
The Life Engineered by J-F Dubeau
Raising Caine by Charles E. Gannon
Somewhither: A Tale of the Unwitheriing Realm by John C. Wright
2. Best Fantasy Novel (Including Paranormal)
Asteroid Made of Dragons by G. Derek Adams
Blood Hound by James Osiris Baldwin
Changeling’s Island by Dave Freer
The Cinder Spires: The Aeronaut’s Windlass by Jim Butcher
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
Grave Measures by R.R. Virdi
Son of the Black Sword by Larry Correia
3. Best Young Adult / Middle Grade Novel
Calamity by Brandon Sanderson
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Changeling’s Island by Dave Freer
The Shepherd’s Crown by Terry Pratchett
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Steeplejack by A.J. Hartley
Trix and the Faerie Queen by Alethea Kontis
Updraft by Fran Wilde
4. Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel
Allies and Enemies: Fallen by Amy J. Murphy
Blood in the Water by Taylor Anderson
Chains of Command by Marko Kloos
The End of All Things by John Scalzi
Hell’s Foundations Quiver by David Weber
The Price of Valor by Django Wexler
Wrath of an Angry God: A Military Space Opera by Gibson Michaels
5. Best Alternate History Novel
1635: A Parcel of Rogues by Eric Flint & Andrew Dennis
1636: The Cardinal Virtues by Eric Flint & Walter H. Hunt
Bombs Away: The Hot War by Harry Turtledove
Deadlands: Ghostwalkers by Jonathan Maberry
Germanica by Robert Conroy
League of Dragons by Naomi Novik
6. Best Apocalyptic Novel
Chasing Freedom by Marina Fontaine
Ctrl Alt Revolt! by Nick Cole
Dark Age by Felix O. Hartmann
The Desert and the Blade by S.M. Stirling
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
A Time to Die by Mark Wandrey
7. Best Horror Novel
Alice by Christina Henry
Chapelwood by Cherie Priest
Disappearance at Devil’s Rock by Paul Tremblay
Honor at Stake by Declan Finn
An Unattractive Vampire by Jim McDoniel
Souldancer by Brian Niemeier
8. Best Comic Book
Astro City – Vertigo
Saga – Image
Civil War II – Marvel
Daredevil – Marvel
DC Universe: Rebirth – DC
Ms. Marvel – Marvel
Providence – Avatar
9. Best Graphic Novel
Chicago by Glenn Head
Killing and Dying by Adrian Tomine
March: Book Two by John Lewis & Andrew Aydin
Sacred Heart by Liz Suburbia
The Sandman: Overture by Neil Gaiman and J.H. Williams III
Virgil by Steve Orlando and J.D. Faith
10. Best Science Fiction or Fantasy TV Series
Daredevil – Netflix
Doctor Who – BBC
The Expanse – Syfy
The Flash – CW
Game of Thrones – HBO
Jessica Jones – Netflix
Outlander – Starz
11. Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Movie
Ant-Man, dir. Peyton Reed
Captain America: Civil War, dir. Joe and Anthony Russo
Crimson Peak, dir. Guillermo del Toro
Deadpool, dir. Tim Miller
The Martian, dir. Ridley Scott
Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens, dir. J.J. Abrams
12. Best Science Fiction or Fantasy PC / Console Game
Darkest Dungeon by Red Hook Studios
Fallout 4 by Bethesda Softworks
Metal Gear Solid V by Konami Digital Entertainment
Overwatch by Blizzard Entertainment
Undertale by Toby Fox
XCOM 2 by 2k Games
13. Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Mobile Game
Fallout Shelter by Bethesda Softworks
Hyper Burner by Patrick Cook
PewDiePie: Legend of the Brofist by Outerminds Inc.
Quaser One by Emre Taskin
Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes by Electronic Arts
14. Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game
Blood Rage by Cool Mini or Not
Codenames by Vlaada Chvatil
Pandemic: Legacy by ZMan Games
Monopoly: CTHULHU by USAopoly
Star Wars: Rebellion by Fantasy Flight Games
Talon by GMT Games
15. Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Miniatures / Collectible Card / Role-Playing Game
Call of Cthulhu Roleplaying Game (7th Edition) by Chaosium Inc.
Deluxe Tunnels & Trolls by Flying Buffalo
Magic the Gathering: Battle of Zendikar by Wizards of the Coast
Magic the Gathering: Shadows over Innistrad by Wizards of the Coast
Mousguard (2nd Edition) by David Petersen & Luke Crane
Star Wars: Armada by Fantasy Flight Games
There’s actually a full list of nominees buried on the Dragon Con media site where they actually spelled the title of my obscure indie published military sci fi book correctly (I’m looking at you, Locus online)
http://mediarelations.dragoncon.org/2016/08/12/vote-for-the-dragon-con-awards/#nominees
Looks like the Dragon Awards are stillborn. Seems like they’re too obscure to not be completely trashed by the Puppies.