On Saturday, February 18, 2017, the New England Science Fiction Association (NESFA) held its awards ceremony and announced the winners of the 2016 Skylark Award andthe Gaughan Award. Congratulations to our winners!

2017 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.

2017 Skylark Award Winner:
Jo Walton

Jo Walton has published thirteen novels, three poetry collections and an essay collection. She won the John W. Campbell Award in 2002, the World Fantasy Award for Tooth and Claw in 2004, the Hugo and Nebula awards for Among Others in 2012, the Tiptree Award for My Real Children and the Locus Non Fiction award for What Makes This Book So Great in 2014. She comes from Wales but lives in Montreal. She reads a lot, enjoys travel, talking about books, and eating great food. She plans to live to be ninety-nine and write a book every year. Her most recent novel is Necessity.

2017 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.

2017 Gaughan Award Winner: Kirbi Fagan

Kirbi Fagan is an award-winning Metro Detroit based illustrator who specializes in creating art for young readers. Her illustrations are known for their magical themes, nostalgic mood, bright colors, and powerful characters. Kirbi’s work has been acknowledged by organizations such as Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles and New York, ImagineFX, Art Order and the International Writers & Illustrators of the Future. Recent clients include, Marvel, Capstone Publishing, Stone Arch Books and Dark Horse Comics. Kirbi lives by two words… “spread joy.”