Ur senaste Ansible:

ACCA. It was that time of year again: the Arthur C.Clarke Award was presented on 18 May at the London Science Museum, with copious free wine before and after. Five of the six nominees (Connie Willis couldn't make it) trembled in the front row of the Imax theatre as administrator Paul Kincaid worked up suspense _via_ such delaying devices as a special presentation to Sir Arthur's brother Fred, for his hero work behind the scenes. Then last year's winner China Mieville -- togged up, for the first time in living memory, with a suit and tie -- opened the fatal envelope as quickly as he could, and presented the souvenir bookend and #2002 cheque to Gwyneth Jones for her `near future fantasy' _Bold as Love_. Gwyneth later recollected in tranquillity: `The operation was really very painless. Neither fear nor hope possessed me. I didn't have a thought in my head when China stood up, besides well, now we can all clap the winner, stand around nattering for a bit and then go home....' She had been repeatedly shortlisted for previous Clarke Awards; her editor at Gollancz, Jo Fletcher, said `Fifth time is the charm!' Despite widespread concern that the Imax screen might at any instant light up with a terrifying seventy-foot talking head of Sir Arthur, it wasn't used.

Hans