My thoughts on not really winning a Hugo. (Apologies for a long summary of much-repeated detail, this is my record for myself as much as anybody else. Feel free to correct me if I got anything royally wrong.) samtasticbooks.com/2024/02/17/r... - ThreadSky

samtasticbooks.com • 386 days ago

My thoughts on not really winning a Hugo.

(Apologies for a long summary of much-repeated detail, this is my record for myself as much as anybody else. Feel free to correct me if I got anything royally wrong.)
https://samtasticbooks.com/2024/02/17/rabbit-test-unwins-the-hugo/

Comments

chaz271.bsky.social•385 days ago

A good work of literature is exponentially more important than any plastic award.

Hugo awards never influenced a person like 'Nothing to Envy', Demick.

Posterity isn't as great a legacy, as quality and reputation. Feet vote 👢

wendykloiber.bsky.social•386 days ago

I’m so sorry that Rabbit Test brought you anything but good.

tanngrisnir.bsky.social•386 days ago

This is monumentally unjust to you. Whatever else happened, you merited being there, and you shouldn't be out in this situation through one arrogant man's underhanded actions. You deserved better treatment from the Worldcon.

rivertalesien.bsky.social•386 days ago

God. I LOVE Rabbit Test and this is so awful. Shame on all those involved who made it such a mess.

morselya.bsky.social•385 days ago

I want to add how very on point your article is for me. Especially when discussing your hopes for the Chengdu Hugos nominees, the new people pointed out to us by the Chinese fan community's votes.

Strength to you; glad to hear that you are, despite everything that happened, okay.

maryrobinettekowal.com•385 days ago

You are good people and a damn good writer.

samtasticbooks.com•385 days ago

Thank you, that means a lot! ❤️

joulekzelm.bsky.social•386 days ago

This is beyond messed up. Seems like anyone who had anything with the Hugos this year got screwed over, starting with but extending far beyond the direct targets of censorship. I'm sorry you are going through this and I'm deeply disappointed with Worldcon leadership.

joulekzelm.bsky.social•386 days ago

*who had anything to do

robtomshany.bsky.social•385 days ago

It seems like the only people who came out of this without some kind of ick on them were the people who refused their Hugo nominations. (And I wonder if we'll see some pre-emptive refusals in the future from people who might be Hugo-worthy but just want to avoid the drama.)

achronalart.bsky.social•386 days ago

Gods I’m so sorry. What a mess.

unamccormack.bsky.social•385 days ago

My heart goes out to you. A truly dreadful situation.

aphowell.com•386 days ago

I'm so sorry you're in this position. (And I'm glad the story got so much deserved love from more ethical sources, so you'll still have accolades to plaster all over revised book covers.)

sillysyntax.bsky.social•383 days ago

Sam. Hugs. I support you and if you ever need to chat, you know I'm here. 🖤🖤🖤

samtasticbooks.com•383 days ago

Thank you Suzan 😭🖤🖤

ghoulpus.bsky.social•386 days ago

Much respect for this

antonhur.com•386 days ago

I'm just a rando on the interwebs but I wanted to say your writing this post, in this reader's eyes, makes you more of a real author than winning all the book awards in the world. Thank you for your integrity, and I'm sorry you had to experience this awfulness.

samtasticbooks.com•386 days ago

Thank you, I appreciate it

redsonja.bsky.social•385 days ago

Thank you from those of us who were somewhat interested in what happened but couldn't follow all the technicalities. And also, I think your book should say "Sorta, Maybe Hugo Winner"--it would give readers a clue as to the humor and humanity of the author.

samtasticbooks.com•385 days ago

That would actually be hilarious 😄

redsonja.bsky.social•385 days ago

Don't forget the ™!

ruabanrion.bsky.social•385 days ago

I feel so bad for everyone involved in this (except the people who caused it). I can't even imagine what this feels like. The Hugo is supposed to be a big deal. This should never have happened.

seamuspetrie.bsky.social•385 days ago

It’s not always easy to do the right thing.
Thank you for sharing this.

foxesandroses.bsky.social•385 days ago

I am so sorry for this Sam. Truly so many people were let down here. I am sorry for the stress and guilt of the whole situation when it wasn't your fault. Rabbit Test was and will keep being a powerful story and this blog post will keep speaking of your character. ❤️

samtasticbooks.com•385 days ago

Thank you, you're the best ;_;

foxesandroses.bsky.social•385 days ago

❤️❤️❤️

cheater00.bsky.social•382 days ago

Great write-up. Here's what I think was going through their heads:

danieldubei.bsky.social•385 days ago

well now I'm definitely gonna have to read your book. :)

I'm sorry this happened to you and everyone else. I hope future awards don't get mired in such controversies.

samtasticbooks.com•385 days ago

Thank you - me too!

waiterpe.de•385 days ago

Much respect for this decision

jeffbeeler.bsky.social•385 days ago

Thank you for courage.

rowan.monster•386 days ago

This is a classy concise summary and makes me want to look for your book. I'm sorry for *waves hands*

mynachang.bsky.social•385 days ago

Rabbit Test is a powerful and important story. I'm sorry you've been pulled into all this mess. 💔

samtasticbooks.com•385 days ago

Thank you Myna! ❤️

yilinwriter.bsky.social•385 days ago

Sigh. I have really lost faith in the Hugos. Sorry you're going through this. You're doing really important work.

samtasticbooks.com•385 days ago

Thank you 🖤

ladygeeke.bsky.social•385 days ago

This is a real mess but your actions are admirable and I hope you come out of it with your dignity and integrity intact.

pnh.nielsenhayden.com•386 days ago

Jesus Christ. You deserve so much better than this.

unamccormack.bsky.social•385 days ago

This.

samtasticbooks.com•386 days ago

❤️❤️

mzmauthor.bsky.social•386 days ago

All the hugs, Sam 🫂 This has absolutely sucked so much for everyone involved

samtasticbooks.com•385 days ago

🫂🫂🫂

cornellwriter.bsky.social•385 days ago

Ugh Sam, I’m so sorry for all this. Your statement is so well-written, which of course is no surprise because you’re an amazing writer. “Rabbit Test” remains one of the best stories I’ve EVER read, despite all the Hugo bs. Hugs, and I’m sure you’ll get another crack at it. Just keep writing.

cjlavigne.com•386 days ago

Really sorry this happened to you and everyone else who got caught up in this mess. "Rabbit Test" is effing amazing and, among all the other injustices here, it didn't deserve this.

samtasticbooks.com•386 days ago

Thank you C.J. 🖤

laurarbelin.bsky.social•386 days ago

What a frustrating situation!
One of my college classmates (Michael A. Burstein) thinks he may be the most Hugo-nominated sci-fi author who has never won a Hugo. Which is also disappointing. But it is a genuine honor to be nominated.

wades.bsky.social•386 days ago

I think your sense of integrity is admirable.

pronouncedlahra.bsky.social•386 days ago

You really amaze me, you know that? Not a lot of people would do this. Hats off to you.

samtasticbooks.com•386 days ago

❤️❤️ ❤️

gilderthorpe.bsky.social•386 days ago

Your story was amazing. I hope to see more of your work in more comfortable circumstances.

jennyrae.bsky.social•386 days ago

Oh Sam, I’m so sorry you got caught up in this. *hugs*

samtasticbooks.com•386 days ago

Thank you, *hugs* back ❤️

cabridges.bsky.social•385 days ago

I respect your decision and your integrity, and mourn the necessity. But I hope you’re aware of just how many people your story touched and how powerful it was. It was easily the best short story I read last year.

samtasticbooks.com•385 days ago

Thank you, I appreciate that!

cjtavares.bsky.social•386 days ago

I am so sorry. This Hugo mess has really just done so much harm to so many people and it sucks.

vajra.me•386 days ago

I'm so sorry it came to this, but I admire the way you're dealing with it.

samtasticbooks.com•386 days ago

Thanks Vajra 🖤

tegladwin.bsky.social•385 days ago

I don't know whether it's a helpful thing to say, but I knew nothing about anything and just read the story because of the furore, so maybe at least it serves as advertisement for some set of people who'd not be in the usual pool of readers.

samtasticbooks.com•385 days ago

Thank you! I'm hoping all this gets more attention for the works that were bumped, too. There are two in Clarkesworld that are next in my TBR:
https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/lu_12_22/

https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/yang_11_22/

spookyevilone.bsky.social•385 days ago

Rabbit Test was amazing. I'm sorry the Hugos tainted that win for you. This whole mess is awful.

croyle.bsky.social•386 days ago

My sympathies for getting unwittingly pulled into this Vortex of Poop... But good for you for being classy about it.

cayemarsh.bsky.social•386 days ago

I have a lot of respect for you taking "Hugo winner" off your book cover. Wow. That's really, really big of you. I'm sorry you got tangled up in all this.

dharhix.com•386 days ago

I'm just so sorry... 😭

ranirobot.bsky.social•385 days ago

This whole thing has been a trash fire. Thank you for your post. I just read your short story and pre-ordered your book.

samtasticbooks.com•385 days ago

Oh thank you!

kavism.bsky.social•385 days ago

You are obviously a person of integrity and decency, and I look forward to reading your work.

davemck.bsky.social•385 days ago

T kingfisher is on your side. I'm sorry you've had to go though this.

https://bsky.app/profile/tkingfisher.bsky.social/post/3klkppornzh2u

kalinstacey.bsky.social•386 days ago

I will definitely be on the lookout for your "Hugo winner" stamped novel!

mattdovey.com•385 days ago

There is nothing good to say because there is nothing good in this whole situation. Except, of course, Rabbit Test, which will remain important and excellent and I hope, in time, that the pride in it overcomes the bullshit around it.

I'm sorry, Sam, for you and for all of us—esp. Chinese fandom

rachaelkjones.bsky.social•385 days ago

Sheesh, everything about this sucks so much, but you are amazing and I hope you win many, many more awards 💜💜💜

samtasticbooks.com•385 days ago

Thank you Rachael! ❤️

samtasticbooks.com•385 days ago

Since apparently it needs to be repeated: I think everyone involved is entitled to process this mess in their own way, and I don't want to be used to harass the other finalists.

iancordingley.bsky.social•382 days ago

I have no doubt that in a fair fight, "Rabbit Test" would have won easily. I'm sorry this happened.

nickpheas.bsky.social•385 days ago

I am very sorry you've had to go through this. Your story is a superb gut punching piece that deserves it's accolades.
If it's any consolation, the tosspots seem to have eliminated all Chinese stories in the long form, but you went up against them and won.

jzsamm.bsky.social•385 days ago

On top of all of the other awful things about this, I am so very sorry that your achievement has been tainted. You wrote something wonderful to be proud of.

mvmelcer.com•386 days ago

Much love. Hugs! You're awesome.

samtasticbooks.com•386 days ago

Thanks, Mel (you are too!)

scottedelman.bsky.social•386 days ago

I'm so sorry Hugo sabotage has placed you in this situation. But please know none of it invalidates the brilliance of your story.

julimarr.bsky.social•386 days ago

I don't know, Sam. Maybe take that Hugo, hold it high as a testimony to all future writers that through seeming disaster, SF writers and fans came together and rejected the treachery of 2023.

daveawl.bsky.social•386 days ago

I'm impressed with your integrity in responding to this. I haven't read your work yet, but I will.

hazelzorn.bsky.social•385 days ago

I respect this immensely. Good for you.

stevers.bsky.social•385 days ago

What an embarrassing cluster for an award that I used to give high marks to. This is a classy piece, and I sincerely feel for someone put in the position of having to write it (to make up for the mess that was the 23 hugos)

agarthanguide.bsky.social•385 days ago

Nothing can unfuck the Hugos, but I truly believe Rabbit Test is a deeply important piece. I read it because a friend of mine read a blog post about it, and we subsequently told everyone else we knew about it. We passed it around by word of mouth because we needed it, and this mess can’t undo that.

samtasticbooks.com•385 days ago

Thank you, that means a lot!

brucearthursaz.bsky.social•386 days ago

What an awful position to be put in, solely due to other people's fuckery.

stinaleicht.bsky.social•386 days ago

No one should have to do this.

wouldyoueva.bsky.social•385 days ago

I admire your stand here. I'd like to think I'd have the fortitude to turn down a junket to China but if it were actually offered? That takes some guts. This is a very good take on a truly terrible situation.

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