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.

Well, Worldcon hit the blogging plans like a truck. There were many highlights, which I’ll try to recount when I get home. That, of course, is still some time away.  I get on a plane in 12 hours, then the long trip.  Yay.  Still, I can’t wait to be home.  In the meantime, thank you to everyone who was such great company while I was here, and thank you to every one who nominated me for the Hugo. It was, and is, an enormous honor.

…till the Hugo results are out.  Suddenly I’m nervous.  I wasn’t before.  I don’t expect to win (it really is an honor to be nominated and all of my fellow nominees are extraordinary), but I have a horse in the race and it’s hard not to be a little nervous.

Congrats, btw, to the Melbourne WorldCon!  And to Shaun Tan for being Art GoH.  Amazing news.

Up too early (this will be a theme), had a lovely breakfast with Karen Haber, hooked up with Sean W afterwards, then to the Dealers Room (which underwhelmed).  Had lunch with David Hartwell, before doing a panel on the best SF of the year which went quite well.  Coffee with Graham Sleight, Gary and Charles, before back to the Dealers Room where I bumped into Ted Kosmatka at the SFWA table (who was lovely). Chatted with Amelia, Teddy and the gang, before off to dinner.  There were sixteen of us having fondue and it was good.  A four hour long dinner that was just right.  We joked about wild rumours we could unleash, ate, drank and then headed back to the hotel for a nightcap.  A quite day, compared to what’s to come.

What a strange day.  I was up early and feeling fine.  Showered and breakfasted, I was in the LocusMobile at 7.20am and headed to the airport feeling fine.  Charles, Liza, Amelia and I arrived in plenty of time, and got ourselves sorted for the flight.   We got our magic SouthWest front row seats, but as I was sitting down I had a peircing pain in my right chest.   The rib I’d bruised (or whatever) suddenly hurt more than it had at any time.  That overshadowed what otherwise would have been a lovely flight.  I tried to read and ignore it, but was in real pain for the whole trip.

We arrived in Denver on time and headed to the hotel.  I then met up with Charlie Stross, we preregistered for the con, and went for drink.  Charlie’s a lot of fun, and his knowledge of secret history is fascinating.  We talked Laundry novels and other stuff.  We joined Dave Hartwell and George for drinks too, before they headed for dinner and me to the hotel.  I met up with Sean Williams (yay!) and Gary. Gary and I joined Ken Scholes, Jen and Jon for dinner, which was great. Then drinks with Sean, Liza, Amelia, and lots others.  A good day, if painful.  I called home before bed, and am now up too early.  Another busy day ahead.