Hugo-worthy??? Little me!?!

I came back from work this evening to find my inbox crammed with emails telling me that George R. R. Martin had mentioned the Hotlist on his LJ. You can read it here.

Even beyond the giveaways, Pat's is a cool site to visit for anyone with an interest in fantasy. It's one of the most lively and literate blogs on the internet, and seems to feature new content almost every day. If he keeps it up, this is a site that deserves serious consideration for a Hugo nomination next year.

How cool is that? many of you asked me. Well duh! This is about as cool as it gets!;-) GRRM told me about the same thing in an email a few days back. But to have him say this to all his fans, that's something else!

I've been doing this for nearly three years now, so naturally I have more contacts and resources than bloggers newer to the game. And yet, even though I'm aware that various authors, editors, publicists, agents and other people "in the know" frequent this blog, the fanboy in me is always shocked when something like this occurs. I mean, we're talking about George R. R. Martin here! And he opines that this blog of mine could be worthy of a Hugo nomination! Call me stupid, but I always feel odd when I realize that an author I admire is actually taking the time to read the pointless drivel I come up with!

So once again, let me take this opportunity to thank George and all the other SFF writers who have "plugged" the Hotlist in the past. I try to downplay the whole thing, but your kind words mean a lot to me. . . Okay, enough of this emo crap!

Hmmm, the Hotlist as a Hugo nominee!?! It sure would be rewarding, just to get a nod. But since I attempt to let the authors and their work take as much of the spotlight as humanly possible, I feel it's not "personal" enough to warrant a nomination. Also, beyond the friendliness I project, I do have that anti-establishment side that I never tried to conceal. But you never know. . Surely making fun of Goodkind every time the Yeard puts his foot in his mouth should give me an edge over the competition, right!?!

By the way, GRRM feels the same about William Lexner's www.speculativereviews.blogspot.com. Stego was taking a break from blogging, but he's supposed to be doing a comeback soon. Come on, man! I like your stuff, and so does GRRM. That should be more than enough for you to return and start pissing people off!;-) The Blogosphere hasn't been the same without you, my friend. . .

Note to Jacqueline Carey fans: Last spring, the Kushiel's Justice giveaway dethroned GRRM and became the most popular contest ever held on this blog. No small feat, considering that Martin had held the title for over a year and had defeated all comers quite easily. Well, in less than 24 hours, the Dreamsongs giveaway has become the most popular contest ever, beating Carey by a 2-to-1 margin. Sorry Jacqueline, but I'm afraid this is a first round TKO. . .

So to all the new faces around here, all I can promise you is to try to keep up the good work and hope that it will be enough to keep things fun and interesting.:-)

Good times ahead, that's for sure!

12 commentaires:

Robert said...

An endorsement from GRRM! Call me impressed!!! Can't get any better than that :D Congrats!

Unknown said...

Ive never payed much atention to blogs that wernt from personal freinds. i am on GRRM's livejournal though and when i read his praises about your blog i hade to add you (and join the contest!)

already love reading you. keep it up

~ Brand new fan

Anonymous said...

I was first introduced to the Fantasy Hotlist through the reading of GRRM's Not A Blog. I followed a link to the 3-way interview. I have been checking in ever since. I very much enjoy my time spent here. (I'm usually very quiet.) Thank you for all you do!

texasboyblue said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
texasboyblue said...

Congrats! And a well deserved kdo it is. I've been reading your blog since I found it surfing sci-fi blogs. The reviews are dead on and the commentary delightful (if sometimes a bit tongue-in-cheek).

I'll keep my fingers crossed on the Hugo!

texasboyblue
www.ofsciencefiction.com

Larry Nolen said...

Pat,

I'd offer you congrats, but I'm holding out until you land on what's sure to be a surefire new "list" - the mystar list ;)

Doubtless that would be bigger than a mere Hugo consideration, no?

Patrick said...

Thanks for the kind words, all of you.:-)

Larry: I'm pretty sure I'm already at the top of Mystar's hitlist!

Adam Whitehead said...

I'm in Denver next year Pat, and you can count on my nomination and vote!

SQT said...

Pat

That is so very very cool.

Anonymous said...

Pat,

Without making any comment about the blog you're hosting, I get the impression that GRRM may well have mentioned because you have always valiantyly defended his books and his incredibly lack of progress. Don't you think that plays into it as well? Every time you speak about one of his books you are very positive about them, even the non-ASOIAF ones, and you have repeatedly stated that people should not criticize GRRM for not delivering his books. We know that that is an attitude GRRM likes....

Patrick said...

Cali: In all honesty, I doubt it. If you were talking about authors like Robin Hobb and Steven Erikson, writers who have become good friends of the Hotlist, maybe you'd have more of a case. Though I doubt that any credible author would stoop so low...

As for GRRM, as you know I have only reviewed two ASOIAF volumes on this blog. And the word "belatedly" doesn't do justice to how late I was in reviewing them. Other than that, HUNTER'S RUN is the only novel I've reviewed from him...

As for defending him, I wrote a post in response to his "My dog ate it" LJ post a while back. But that's about it.

If that's what you call valiantly defending his books and his incredible lack of progress, then I'm guilty as charged...

As crazy as it may sound, I think that GRRM just likes the blog. Stranger things have happened...

Anonymous said...

Damn that GRRM!! Even more contest competition for old Anonymous once again! No rush on writing the old books for old George though. Just damn him!