Our Boskone follow up has been a bit delayed, but we wanted to make sure to share the award winners from this year’s covention…even if the information is posted a little late. On Saturday, February 20, 2016, NESFA held its awards ceremony and announced the winners of the 2016 Skylark Award, the Gaughan Award, and short story contest. Congratulations to all of our winners!

2016 Skylark Award

The Edward E. Smith Memorial Award for Imaginative Fiction (the Skylark) is presented annually by NESFA to some person, who, in the opinion of the membership, has contributed significantly to science fiction, both through work in the field and by exemplifying the personal qualities which made the late “Doc” Smith well-loved by those who knew him.

2016 Skylark Award Winner:
Gardner Dozois

Gardner Dozois, one of the most acclaimed editors in science-fiction, has won the Hugo Award for Best Editor 15 times. He was the editor of Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine for 20 years. He is the editor of the Year’s Best Science Fiction anthologies and co-editor of the Warrior anthologies, Songs of the Dying Earth, and many others.  As a writer, Dozois twice won the Nebula Award for best short story. He lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (bio from Macmillan)

2016 Gaughan Award

The Gaughan Award honors the memory of Jack Gaughan, a long-time friend of fandom and one of the finest SF artists of the 20th century. Because Jack felt it was important to encourage and recognize new blood in the field, The New England Science Fiction Association, Inc., presents the Gaughan Award annually to an emerging artist (an artist who has become a professional within the past five years) chosen by a panel of judges. (This year’s panel of judges included Greg Manchess, Arnie Fenner, and Cathy Fenner).

2016 Gaughan Award Winner: Tommy Arnold

Tommy Arnold is an Atlanta-based illustrator working primarily in fantasy and science-fiction. Clients include Tor Books, Orbit Books, and Wizards of the Coast. Visit Tommy online at tommyarnoldart.com.

NESFA Science Fiction & Fantasy Short Story Contest

The purpose of this contest is to encourage amateur and semi-professional writers to reach the next level of proficiency. We will look for engaging openings, good character development, well structured plotting, powerful imagery, witty or humorous language, unique word or phrasing choices, and convincing endings.

The 2016 winners were announced at Boskone 53, February 2016, as follows:

• Winner: “Super” by Kevin Fitch
• Runner-Up: “First Impressions” by Alexandria Krein

The final round judges were Tony Lewis, Dan Kimmel, and Garth Nix.