Science fiction writer Larry Correia is known worldwide for his series of Monster Hunter books, rising from the obscurity of self-publishing to become a New York Times bestselling author. However, Correia says he has not, and probably will not, be nominated for a Hugo Award (the Oscars of the sci-fi/fantasy literary world) because he is a professed conservative.
That doesn't mean he's taking it lying down. He wants to be nominated for a Hugo. If you want to help him, today is your last day.
In a series of posts on his personal blog, Correia is asking his fans to "stick it to the man" by nominating him for a Hugo Award, which recognizes works like Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Novel. Correia says he has never been nominated for a Hugo because there is a marked bias against his style of writing, and worse, a bias against his well-known conservative views. In his signature style, Correia explained how he is fighting an uphill battle for respectability.
Even as you read this, a secret cabal of Literati Cultists gather in their Dark Ivory Tower. (so I guess it is kind of a mocha color) They have read these blog posts, and they are afraid, afraid of the Monster Hunter Nation. They tremble in fear that something which isn’t heavy handed message fic may tread their sacred halls. A Manhattan publisher rejects a brilliant manuscript because he saw that the author once wrote on Facebook that maybe, just maybe, Barack Obama might not literally be Jesus. Stephen King goes on a giant rant about Sarah Palin then snorts a line of coke while Michael Vick puts an adorable puppy into a food processor. Yes… It is like totally that evil.
The Hugo awards are the most prestigious thing you can get in sci-fi/fantasy (other than fat royalty checks, obviously). The Hugo is pretty fancy, but basically, like most awards, it is a popularity contest. So who decides? Anybody who attended the last WorldCon (Chicago 2012) or who is a supporting member of the current WorldCon (San Antonio 2013) or next WorldCon (London 2014) can nominate. But you need to buy your membership by January 31.
Monster Hunter Legion is eligible… I’m just pointing that out. The fact that I write unabashed pulp action that isn’t heavy handed message fic annoys the literati to no end. When I got nominated for the Campbell (an award for best new sci-fi writer), the literati message-fic crowd had a conniption fit. A European snob reviewer actually wrote “If Larry Correia wins the Campbell, it will END WRITING FOREVER.” (I’ve since won the prestigious Audie and got nominated for the Julia Verlanger for best fantasy novel IN FRANCE, and all writing still hasn’t been ended, so I must still need a Hugo nomination). For $60 you can buy a supporting membership. This allows you to nominate whoever you want for the various Hugo awards.
So for $60 you can stick it to the man, and the next time one of your coworkers looks over your shoulder to see what you’re reading, and they’re all like 'I’m a douchebag that only reads what English professors or Oprah’s book club say is profound. That’s stupid and has guns and is stupid in your stupid face.' And then you can say, 'But it got nominated for a Hugo.' And then they will EXPLODE! (Disclaimer, annoying coworkers may not literally explode.)
To support Correia's campaign and purchase a membership to San Antonio's WorldCon, click here, but you must purchase it today to be eligible for the Hugo nomination process. You will also be eligible to vote on the official nominees later this spring.
Correia has pulled out all the stops in getting fans to nominate him for a Hugo. He tried posting pictures of sad puppies. He posted a picture of himself superimposed over President Obama when he posed with children. He even made fun of Stephen King. Whatever it takes to motivate the Monster Hunter masses.
Correira also promises, should he be nominated and have to attend WorldCon in San Antonio this fall, he promises "not to steal all the white women" of Texas.
Victor Medina writes for Yahoo News and his political blog WhenLiberalsAttack.com. His other writing credits include The Dallas Morning News and SportsIllustrated.com. He has served as a Dallas County election judge and on the Board of Directors of The Sixth Floor Museum. You can follow him on his blog, VictorMedina.com or on Twitter at @mrvictormedina. He can be reached by email at vic@victormedina.com. To be notified of future stories by Victor Medina, click the SIGN UP or SUBSCRIBE button at the top of this page.
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