Shortlist - David Gemmell Legend Award for Fantasy

Because life's been too busy recently, we've not had the chance to really support the David Gemmell Legend Award for Fantasy that much. Well, not since we worked as volunteers at the inaugural event and it's something both Mark and I feel keenly about.  So this year we'll be doing our best to bring you the word as it all goes down. 

This weekend past the shortlisted titles were announced and here they are:

Legend Award

This award is for the best fantasy novel of the year, that holds David Gemmell's writing close to it's heart.

Morningstar Award

This award welcomes new writers to the folds of fantasy writing!

Ravenheart Award

This award celebrates some superb art we see on covers!



Hopefully I can get my butt in gear and read some of these before the awards are announced in July. What I can tell you about the book I'm halfway through - Heir of Night - is that I am honestly loving it.  The writing is super easy on the eye, there are no jarring bits that I've come across and I am liking the world that the author's created.  In fact, I am enjoying Helen Lowe's writing so much, I've ordered her book for younger readers too!

David Gemmell Legend Award

Mark and I had the great pleasure of helping out at last night's David Gemmell Legend Awards. It was an amazing evening and it was lovely seeing fans, publishers, authors, agents and the press turn out for the inaugural event.

The winner of the overall prize was Andrzej Sapkowski - author Blood of Elves. Personally I've not read it - yet - but I am sure I will get around to it!

Below are some snaps we took whilst at the event, helping out and fangeeking.

Mark takes possession of the five baby Snaga's which Gillian Redfearn from Gollancz brought to the event for the five shortlisted authors.

Oh so very pretty - baby Snaga on display.

Danie Ware from Forbidden Planet, left, Samantha Smith commissioning editor at Orbit UK, David Devereux author and owner of a good pair of legs, Anna Grigson publicity assistant at Orbit UK.


The incredibly talented James Barclay delivering Druss' speech to the audience with the grace and style of a trained actor and orator. No one moved or said a word for the five minutes he spoke. It was simply amazing!

Jo Fletcher, a personal hero of mine, accepting the award on behalf of Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski.

Mark gets a chance to heft Snaga - the original as created by the boys at The Raven Armouries. More enthusiastic people I have to come across. Listening to them talk about making these items gave me goosebumps. They are incredibly passionate and they genuinely conveyed the magic that goes into making these amazing items.

Snaga at rest.

I love this pictue of Danie which Mark took. Danie is a tall girl, quite slender and on first inspection you wouldn't quite class her a rabid weaponaholic, but she is. Just look at that serene expression on her face - it's as if she's come home. I love it.

Ah yes, then there is me, hefting Snaga. Just one thing: LARPERS - seriously think about it next time you say: my Barbarian fights with two axes because SHE is that hard. Gah, you try handling this amazing thing with one hand. Beautiful and heavy and just out of this world. No wonder weaponsmiths held as much status as some kings in the days of old. Pure ancient primitive magic.

The final photo of the evening. Joe Abercrombie, one of the shortlisted authors gets a chance to heft Snaga. Witness the slightly unhinged expression in his eye. It's a look that says: if I leg it now, I may not be able to get far, but I will be able to hurt someone badly if they try and take it from me.

The evening sped by at a tremendous pace. I think everyone had a lovely evening. I know we did. Until the next Award in 2010.