Rob Masters

There are a number of events, groups, and people I refer to very obliquely throughout this. I do so not to mask or erase the targets of these events, people, and groups, but to limit the exposure I give to the perpetrators. To all of you who have been the targets of these nameless instigators, my deepest apologies if I cause offence or distress by doing so, and please contact me so that I can make appropriate changes. For the past few years, I have been dutifully reading the annual Hugo packet, and voting on the Hugo Awards. (If, somehow,  you are reading this and don't  know what the Hugos are, think something like the Academy Awards for SF&F. Like all such things, this is a loose analogy at best, but it carries the right gravitas.) This is a a substantial task, covering a good half dozen novels, and the same again for novellas, novelettes, short stories, anthologies, fan works, editorial contributions, dramatic presentations, YA entries, new writers... the list g...

Hugo Awards Night. After a morning wasted on the phone to various financial institutions (Pro tip: PNBank​​ rock, MasterCard suck), we made it into the con. I managed to get into the Photographing Costume/Cosplay panel, where I picked up a few tips. Alicia Smith​​ went scavenger hunting 🤗 Some gaming later, and a quick Hesburger Baltic​​ , and we were queuing for the Hugo Awards. Despite the early queuing, and the huge number of people in the queue, the crowd management was extremely efficient. Once the doors opened, we were processed very smoothly. The ceremony itself went off well, only slightly delayed by a squad of Imperial troopers who wanted selfies on stage. Ahem. The award speeches were a treat, and, as much as I wanted Ursula Vernon​​ 's great talk about whalefall and zombie worms to be the most memorable of the night, one recipient one-upped her. Not by being funnier, or through great eloquence, but through determination, perseverance, and courage. That honour went to Ad...