As a member of the jury for the James Tiptree, Jr. Award, it is my very great pleasure to announce this year's winners: The Orphan's Tales: In the Night Garden, a sumptuous novel of interwoven fairy tales by Catherynne M. Valente, and Half Life, a poignant and satiric examination of identity in the lives of post-apocalyptic conjoined twins by Shelley Jackson.
Additionally, the jury has given a special recognition to Julie Phillips for her acclaimed biogragraphy, James Tiptree, Jr.: The Double Life of Alice B. Sheldon. This award for nonfiction is unusual for the Tiptree Awards, which focus on fiction, but as a jury we felt we could not ignore Phillips' excellent scholarship, detailing the remarkable life of the remarkable woman for whom the award is named. To see the full list of winners and short listed titles, click here.
The James Tiptree, Jr. Award is presented annually to a work or works that explore and expand gender roles in science fiction and fantasy. The focus of the award is described as "[R]ather than finding work that falls into some narrow definition of political correctness, this award seeks out work that is thought-provoking, imaginative, and perhaps even infuriating. The Tiptree Award is intended to reward those women and men who are bold enough to contemplate shifts and changes in gender roles, a fundamental aspect of any society."
This year's Tiptree awards will be presented on May 27, 2007 at WisCon in Madison, Wisconsin. Jackson and Valente will each receive $1000 in prize money, an original artwork created specifically for the award, and the signature chocolate that always accompanies the Tiptree Award. In addition to the ceremony at WisCon, the awards will also be featured at the 2007 World SF Convention in Japan in August 2007.
I would also like to take this moment to thank the other members of my jury for a wonderful year of reading and discussing books: Joan Gordon, Laurel Winter, Diane Silver, and Takayuki Tatsumi.
This is wonderful news! All three books, and their authors, richly deserve the honor. We highly, highly recommend each one of the winning books to Endicott readers -- especially Catherynne Valente's delicious book, of course, since it is rooted in folklore and fairy tales.
Both Valente and Jackson manipulate language, imagery, and story structure in exhilarating ways, and it's good to see such innovative works given this kind of recognition. The Julie Phillips biography of Alice Sheldon/James Tiptree Jr., too, is a terrific read.
Posted by: Terri Windling | April 02, 2007 at 04:23 AM
Wow!!! Both of those books sound wonderful. Will definitely have to look into picking both of these up!
Posted by: Carl V. | April 02, 2007 at 08:16 AM
And Catherynne has a second volume of her Orphan's Tales coming out this year...and I can't wait. She seems to have an endlessly innovative imagination.
Posted by: Midori | April 02, 2007 at 09:21 AM
I've already pre-ordered the second volume of the Orphan's Tales. In the Night Garden is a sumptuous feast of language, imagery, and myth!
Posted by: jenclair | April 03, 2007 at 07:40 AM