Do the Hugo and Nebula Awards really represent the best science fiction and fantasy books? Or do they reflect the tastes of a particular publishing circle? Why hasn’t indie sensation Dungeon Crawler Carl been nominated for a Hugo or Nebula?

In this video, sci-fi author Abby Goldsmith shares her firsthand experiences attending WorldCon and World Fantasy Convention, networking with agents and editors, and observing how the Hugo and Nebula Awards are voted on. Whether you’re a reader, writer, aspiring author, or curious about the publishing industry, this discussion offers an insider’s perspective on the most prestigious awards in sci-fi and fantasy publishing.

 

  • 00:00 Why I Started Attending WorldCon & Industry Conventions
  • 01:03 The Traditional Publishing Networking Game
  • 02:01 Who Actually Votes for the Hugo & Nebula Awards? 02:28 What Types of Books Win These Awards?
  • 03:02 Literary Prose vs. Commercial Storytelling
  • 04:14 Award-Winning Characters Feel Distant To Me
  • 05:03 Do Hugo & Nebula Winners Appeal to Most Readers?
  • 06:09 The Challenge for Indie Authors
  • 07:13 What New Writers Often Misunderstand About These Awards
  • 07:50 My Last WorldCon Experience 08:47 Dinner with Hugh Howey: A Different Publishing Culture
  • 10:01 Final Thoughts on Indie vs. Traditional Publishing & the Awards System

 

What do you think? Do Hugo and Nebula winners reflect the best books being published today, or just a particular segment of the industry? Let me know in the comments.