I didn’t win the Hugo. Every time I tell someone that I’m cool with this they look at me kinda funny. I don’t know how to make it clear, but here goes. First, I’m a newbie at this editing thing. Yes, I’ve been doing it since 1990, but I’ve really only been doing it at a major level since 2004. That’s not long at all, and I’m stunned and delighted just to be nominated. Second, I was nominated with Ellen Datlow, Gordon Van Gelder, Sheila Williams, and Stanley Schmidt. Those are some pretty amazing people to share a ballot with. Third, Gordon won. He edits F&SF, which gets my pick for best magazine around. Fourth, in the history of the Hugo editing categories exactly two people who did not edit a major magazine have won the category – Terry Carr and Judy Lynn Del Rey. I don’t edit a magazine, and I’m no Terry Carr or Judy Lynn, so I really didn’t expect it. And, finally, if my count is correct then exactly 26 people have been nominated for any of the editing categories in the Hugos. That’s 26 people since 1973! And I get listed amongst them, and you think I could be disappointed!! Guys, I was stoked and I still am. Sometimes being nominated really is an honor.
You’re dead right, Jonathan. On the Asimov’s forum we sometimes talk about the “super editors” – generally, these would be custodians of a Year’s Best anthology, plus the editors of F & SF and Asimov’s. To these, you can add Ellen Datlow (for services rendered, although she doesn’t edit a current “Best” that includes SF) and arguably Stan Schmidt. That’s a select club of six or seven people, and you are very much in it. Not too shabby.
Incidentally, is there no Best Short Novels this year?
Sadly, the SF Book Club decided to discontinue the Best Short Novels series. I am talking to a publisher now to see if I can find the series a new home, but there’s no real chance of there being a 2008 volume covering 2007 stories.
Sorry to hear that. Good luck with your attempts to relaunch the series. At least we non-US citizens will be able to order it if it isn’t a SFBC book! :)
Well . . . either I am the editor of a major magazine (for which thanks) or you made a slight error.
David
Actually, you’re right. I got it wrong. Still, the basic point holds. The exceptions to the ‘major magazine’ thing are pretty rare.