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As many of you know, this March we as a group, just like the last year, will nominate works for Hugo 2021. The rules are the same as the year ago. One bonus is that this time we will have not one, but two votes, giving our nominees a greater chance.

First Stage
Everyone is eligible to post their personal list (up to 5 nominations) for each category they wish to vote. In order to simplify possible change in rules to more usual one member one nomination per category set the most wanted outcome first, for example:

You like to have 3 novels, you want to nominate and if you have to choose only one you go for Novel#1, so you write:

Best novel
Novel#1
Novel#2
Novel#3

Please nominate only works you have read!

Second Stage
You read other’s list and think that it will be nice to join your lists �� it is easy if you have empty categories or at least vacant places (like #4 & #5 in the example above). If you agreed on a new joint list, any of you post it and add that you are a team, listing all team members. This way we can end up with a single group list. If not, we enter

Third Stage
Which is voting, one member one vote for either lists, or if there are too many or other problems, then for works (I guess only novel/novella/novelette/short story), which are #1 in personal nomination lists.

Everyone is able to edit and update their lists before he final vote!

Here is the schedule:
Now - Mar 9 - nomination lists are formed
Mar 10-16th voting for lists if needed (last year we managed to create a combined list w/o voting)
Mar 17th any final decisions
Mar 18th submission

My list
BEST NOVEL
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
The Doors of Eden by Adrian Tchaikovsky
The Book of Koli by M.R. Carey
The House of Styx by Derek Künsken

NOVELLA
Firewalkers by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Come the Revolution by Ian Tregillis in F&SF March/April 2020
Byzantine by Holly Messinger in F&SF May/June 2020
Draiken Dies by Adam-Troy Castro in Analog September/October 2020



NOVELETTE
Minerva Girls by James Van Pelt in Analog September/October 2020
Stepsister by Leah Cypess in F&SF May/June 2020



SHORT STORY
Eyes of the Forest by Ray Nayler in F&SF May/June 2020
Retention by Alec Nevala-Lee in Analog July/August 2020
Father by Ray Nayler in Asimov's July/August 2020

Fun!

NOVEL
The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
The Trials of Koli by M.R. Carey
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

NOVELLA
Firewalkers by Adrian Tchaikovsky
The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho
Take a Look at the Five and Ten by Connie Willis
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo

NOVELETTE

SHORT STORY

This is pretty much all I have read--that I liked

This list is in order by which I liked best.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
A Deadly Education (The Scholomance, #1) by Naomi Novik
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries, #5) by Martha Wells (was it 2020? I can't remember!)

Take a Look at the Five and Ten by Connie Willis
To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers (I think this was a novella! Was it 2020??)

Sorry for the lack of links and for the questions. My computer is lagging right now.

Kateblue wrote: "Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries, #5) by Martha Wells (was it 2020? I can't remember!)."

Yep! Eligible.

Kateblue wrote: "To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers (I think this was a novella!)"

This was a nominee from 2019, so not up for this year's awards.

OK, thanks for helping me figure it out, Kalin. I'm listening to an online streaming seminar about HR in the coming post-COVID world right now. Ack! Dislike intensely!

I will fill out my own ballot this year, but I will be lurking here to maybe get some additional ideas :)

I'm not expecting to be able to nominate a ton this year, but I'm also going to include categories outside of the main four.

NOVEL

Harrow the Ninth
Network Effect
The Ministry for the Future

NOVELLA

NOVELETTE

by A.T. Greenblatt

SHORT STORY

by Rae Carson
by Vajra Chandrasekera
by Brenda Cooper

DRAMATIC PRESENTATION: LONG FORM

Lovecraft Country
Dark Season 3
Wolfwalkers
Altered Carbon Season 2
The Vast of Night


DRAMATIC PRESENTATION: SHORT FORM

The Expanse 5x04: Gaugamela

FANCAST

The Coode Street Podcast

A few words on it:
This podcast has been nominated for years but hasn't ever managed to come away with the award. I strongly encourage everyone to consider voting for it this year. In 2020, Coode Street went above and beyond, responding to the first covid lockdown by putting out over a hundred short conversation episodes with writers and readers from the SFF community. The episodes weren't too long at a time when we felt overwhelmed, and they brought the community closer together when we were forced to stay apart. I would really love to see them win this year based on that work.

I don't seem to have read any novellas from 2020, how weird. I'll may add some short stories later, after I've sorted trough which ones were published in 2020 (if any).

NOVEL
Piranesi
Network Effect
The Doors of Eden
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

DRAMATIC PRESENTATION, SHORT FORM
"Blindsight" by Danil Krivoruchko ()

My picks never win, but here goes....

Graphic Novels:
Parable of the Sower
Edgar Allan Poe's Snifter of Terror: Volume Two
Farmhand, Vol. 3: Roots of All Evil
The Weatherman, Vol. 2

If Altered Carbon is eligible (last episode aired in Feb 2020) then I second that. Also highly recommend it to everyone.

Art wrote: "If Altered Carbon is eligible (last episode aired in Feb 2020) then I second that. Also highly recommend it to everyone."

They were all released at the same time (Netflix).

Is season 2 of Altered Carbon better than season 1?

I thought it was, not sure many did though.

Ed wrote: "My picks never win, but here goes....

Graphic Novels:
Parable of the Sower."

Is it based on Octavia E. Butler's books? They are deeply moving, but I don't know if they translate well into graphics

added several shorter works to my list. Alas, most of them aren't available online

Gabi wrote: "Is season 2 of Altered Carbon better than season 1?"

It depends on what you like. Season 1 was very dark, violent and the plot was well outlined. Season 2 in comparison is more action oriented, the plot is a bit all over the place and there are one of two coincidences too many, but overall it ties well together and works nicely.

Art wrote: "Gabi wrote: "Is season 2 of Altered Carbon better than season 1?"

It depends on what you like. Season 1 was very dark, violent and the plot was well outlined. Season 2 in comparison is more action..."

I didn't like season 1, and still can't decide if I should pick up the book, in case it is better. It worked with The Expanse this way for me.

I've read Altered Carbon, but can't remember basically anything about it. Not a glowing recommendation, I guess.

We watched the first episode of altered carbon, but we weren’t hooked. I can’t remember why.

Lovecraft Country definitely deserves a nomination!

Gabi wrote: "Is season 2 of Altered Carbon better than season 1?"

I liked the book, hasn't watched TV show

Oleksandr wrote: "Ed wrote: "Graphic Novels:
Parable of the Sower."

Is it based on Octavia E. Butler's books? ..."

Yes, of course. I've only read the graphic novel, not the original. I think it worked well in that format. The graphic novel of Kindred is also good.

Ré Altered Carbon,; I have read all the books and watched both seasons. I definitely prefer the books, the plot made more sense to me. However, the Netflix was very well done - the plot changes make sense given the format, the actors worked well, and even though I have trouble watching violence, I stuck with it. The books are actually more like 3 stand alone tomes, a rarity these days!

I have also read and watched all the Expanse (except the latest book), and I preferred the books, but only because I got a whole story in a couple of hours reading instead of 10h of a season. I found the show slow in pace but I'm not sure how it would be possible to pick up the pace without loosing important plot elements.

On topic, I have read nothing that could be eligible...

One of the (tiny) silver linings of this pandemic year is that we won't get a dramatic presentation slate dominated by Marvel. I can't think of a single film worth nominating though. I didn't like The Midnight Sky, The Old Guard, or Project Power. I never bothered with Tenet.

What about best series? I don’t think I’ve read anything that’s eligible, but I’m curious what you guys think.

Some eligible series are listed here:

I don't think it's an exhaustive list, just what they prefer to highlight. The Locked Tomb isn't on it, for example.

I think the locked tomb isn’t eligible because it doesn’t have three books out yet.

Kristenelle wrote: "I think the locked tomb isn’t eligible because it doesn’t have three books out yet."

Yes, it should be at least 3 with at least one published a year before nomination

I've updated my list based on recent readings/listenings.

Also, to provide a little more on the Fancast pitch I made earlier: Our Opinions Are Correct has withdrawn from consideration after winning the last two years; Galactic Suburbia and Skiffy and Fanty, both shows with a string of prior nominations, ceased producing new shows at the beginning of 2020. So I think this clears the field and emphasizes even more the Coode Street path to a potential win.

I found a great list of eligible works by many categories

I'll update my list soon as well

NOVEL
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez
The Last Emperox by John Scalzi
Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson

NOVELLA
Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire

This year the discussion is much more quiet... does it mean that group members agree on the list, or just care less?

I'm not discussing, cause this year I have my own list - hope that's okay?

On my list I have

The Doors of Eden
The Book of Koli (I liked the second better, but I think for award purposes the first one is the choice)
The Vanished Birds
Piranesi

and most probably (not yet finished)
Or What You Will

Novellas is a bit of a problem, cause most I just found mediocre.

The Stone Wētā is my champion

and then cause of author love

Firewalkers
Dawnshard (no chance, but a truly great novella)
Sweet Harmony

I totally failed at novelette and short story reading

I guess here I go for

The Girlfriend's Guide to Gods
"Real Animals" (Lightspeed 121)
"The Bone-Stalk walks" (Lightspeed 123)
"The Ransom of Miss Caroline Conelly" (Fireside July 2020) - my favourite

I’ve not been finding great novellas either. So I decided to give myself a little challenge and read eight more this month. So far I’m really enjoying Sea Change by Nancy Kress.

But yeah, I feel like I’m in general agreement with most of you on most of the books. Space Between Worlds is my baby, but I don’t feel as strongly about the rest.

Thoughts on eligible series? I don’t have any series that I’m rooting for yet.

Having just done my salvage-ballot:

Novel
The Once and Future Witches
Network Effect
By Force Alone
Harrow the Ninth

Novella
The Empress of Salt and Fortune
Firewalkers
Come Tumbling Down
The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water

I'm not reading many series that are eligible this year, that I would feel knowledgeable enough about to nominate. Just the Murderbot Diaries.

I'm using this thread to essentially contain my draft slate, but I'm going to be submitting my own ballot so I guess I don't feel the need to argue here. Also I haven't read any novel that I would disagree with -- wait, that's not true, I don't think The City We Became should be nominated. And I haven't read any novellas yet. It's strange that you're collectively not finding any/many good ones, that is usually the most competitive category.

I also tried to start a conversation about best fancast, but no one took me up on it. :)

Sorry, Kalin, I’m just not very up on fan casts. :-/

I'm still with the ones I listed above

Novels
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
A Deadly Education (The Scholomance, #1) by Naomi Novik
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)

Novella
Take a Look at the Five and Ten by Connie Willis

Have not--as usual--been reading shorts.

I have not really read anything else that I remember--so they couldn't have been that good!

If "The Haunting of Hill House" (Netflix) is eligible this year, then I vote for that.

Gabi wrote: "I'm not discussing, cause this year I have my own list - hope that's okay?.."

That's perfectly fine, it is just that you may have your list and get two more votes for the books you support. So far I see your novels as a perfect fit for my list :)

[Edit: I've realized that a couple of these are not eligible and am crossing them out.]

Any thoughts on the dramatic presentation categories? I think the following are worth considering:

Westworld
Steven Universe Future
The Good Place
Star Trek: Discovery
Star Trek: Picard
Lovecraft Country

I need to read up on the limitations before I can decide on what I would specifically put on my ballot.

Edit: A year feels like a really long time ago for tv shows... I can't remember specifics anymore, haha!

I wish I could vote for Westworld in good conscience, but honestly I thought season 3 was a hot mess.

Lol, yeah, but...I still love it ... 😂

A revision of my list, including several suggestions
BEST NOVEL
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
The Doors of Eden by Adrian Tchaikovsky
The Book of Koli by M.R. Carey
By Force Alone by Lavie Tidhar - from MH. I've read and enjoyed other books by the author I hope this novel is just as good
The Space Between Worlds from Kristenelle (also Philip). I liked it as as for a debut it is quite strong
The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez from Gabi and Philip. Another strong debut.

note that now it is 6 of 5, so decide what to cut

I haven't included The City We Became and Harrow the Ninth and Network Effect because I think each of them are with probability of 90% will end up in nominees list, so I try to promote less popular.


NOVELLA
Firewalkers by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Take a Look at the Five and Ten by Connie Willis from Kritenell and Kate. While is wasn't awesome, the poverty of Novella cathegory this year...
Byzantine by Holly Messinger in F&SF May/June 2020
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo from Kristenelle
Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire from Philip
The Stone Wētā by Octavia Cade from Gabi (and others)


NOVELETTE
Minerva Girls by James Van Pelt in Analog September/October 2020
Stepsister by Leah Cypess in F&SF May/June 2020
Burn or The Episodic Life of Sam Wells as a Super by A.T. Greenblatt - from Kalin
Sticks and Stones by Tom Jolly Analog July/August 2020



SHORT STORY
Eyes of the Forest by Ray Nayler in F&SF May/June 2020
Retention by Alec Nevala-Lee in Analog July/August 2020
Father by Ray Nayler in Asimov's July/August 2020
The Eight-Thousanders by Jason Sanford Asimov's September/October 2020

Also, Astounding Award for the Best New Writer for
Simon Jimenez, Nghi Vo and maybe others

Kalin wrote: "I wish I could vote for Westworld in good conscience, but honestly I thought season 3 was a hot mess."

Season 2 was already too complicated for me to follow.

For dramatic presentation, short form, I suggest checking out Don Hertzfeldt's "World of Tomorrow, Episode 3", released October 09, 2020.

I've not seen it yet, but I liked episodes 1 and 2 immensely.

For Astounding Award I’ll join you with Simon Jimenez and Nghi Vo and add Micaiah Johnson and Andrea Stewart.

a bit more on other nominations - changes are welcome

Best Series

Alchemy Wars; Ian Tregillis; Come the Revolution
Bobiverse; Denis E. Taylor; Heaven's River
Little Brother; Cory Doctorow; Attack Surface
The Murderbot Diaries; Martha Wells; Network Effect
Stormlight Archive; Brandon Sanderson; Rhythm of War

Best Related Work

Beowulf: A New Translation; Maria Dhavana Headley
Hugo Spreadsheet of Doom (2021); Renay et al.
Inventing Tomorrow: H. G. Wells and the Twentieth Century; Sarah Cole
Plants in Science Fiction: Speculative Vegetation; Katherine E. Bishop & David Higgins & Jerry Määttä

Best Graphic Story or Comic

Parable of the Sower; John Jennings, Octavia E. Butler (original novel), Damian Duffy
Edgar Allan Poe's Snifter of Terror: Volume Two
Farmhand, Vol. 3: Roots of All Evil; Rob Guillory, Taylor Wells
The Weatherman, Vol. 2; Jody LeHeup, Nathan Fox

Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form

Lovecraft Country
Dark Season 3
Altered Carbon Season 2
Steven Universe Future
The Vast of Night

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form

Gaugamela; The Expanse 5x04
Blindsight
The Absent Destinations of David Prime; World of Tomorrow Episode Three

Best Editor, Short Form

Sheila Williams
Trvor Quachri
Neil Clarke
C.C. Finlay

Best Video Game

Mythgard

Oh! I didn't realise that MDH's Beowulf translation is eligible for best related work. I gladly put it on my list, cause it was a blast to read!

Gabi wrote: "Oh! I didn't realise that MDH's Beowulf translation is eligible for best related work. I gladly put it on my list, cause it was a blast to read!"

A list (alas far from full) of possible nominations in ALL categories

Great list Oleksandr!

I would nominate the The Murderbot Diaries Series and the Stormlight Archive.
Of these I also liked the first books of the Invisible Library series, the Bobiverse and The Legends of the First Empire. I plan to continue and read all these series.