The Dragon Awards

Let your inner geek out

It’s time to nominate your favorite novel, film, or game from the last year. You have until the end of the week.

Here’s the thing about the Dragon Award, unlike the other vaunted ‘fan’ award, there’s no entry fee here. No barrier other than having to pick only one, and one published in the last year.

Furthermore, and this is the important thing, the Dragon has the potential to make a difference. It can show what the fans want, and in this independent age, where we artistic types are finally getting the tools to break away from the confines of the patrons of the arts who dictated what that art should look like… it’s market research. It’s a window into the desires of the consumers.

The heart of the fan is a place where action, adventure, intrigue, the potential that science fiction and fantasy can offer is fully brought forth. Sure, it’s escapism, but even that is a window to the world we’d like to live in. Let’s have fun! Enough with the preachy message fiction. Go cast a vote in the Dragon and inspire the next generation of creatives to make more fun happen.

For me? I don’t nominate in all of the categories. I don’t read horror, and I don’t play video games, so I don’t have anything sensible to say there. The first two categories are easy. After that I have to rummage back through my reading to see what pops out at me.

Best Science Fiction Novel: Force Majeure by John van Stry

Best Fantasy Novel: Hunter of Secrets by Alma Boykin

Best Young Adult Novel: Homecoming in Black by JM Anjewierden

Best Alternate History Novel: (sadly, I don’t know that I’ve read any published in the last year)

Best Illustrative Book Cover: Goblin Market by Cedar Sanderson (why not, eh? I’m proud of that one and several others too!)

So what would you pick? I’d love to hear what you liked enough to recommend last year, and maybe I’ll pick up some new things to enjoy myself!

Go, nominate!