BSFA award 2025 shortlist

The British Science Fiction Award shortlists for 2025 were just announced, and I’m beyond pleased to report that both Charlie Says and Nova Scotia vol2 are finalists in their categories. Being shortlisted for an award is always a major celebration, which means that I consider myself *incredibly* fortunate to have been somewhere on the BSFA lists for the last three years now.

A very sincere thank you to everyone who voted for these two very, very different books.

Nova Scotia vol 2 was a labour of love from, it feels like, the whole of the Scottish genre community. It stood up and represented when Worldcon came to Glasgow, and a massive congratulations is due to Andrew, Francesca, Jenni (whose iconic cover art is also shortlisted) and all the contributors.

I’m also especially pleased to see the recognition for Charlie Says, not so much for myself, but on behalf of the book’s publisher, Steve Shaw. Small publishers like Black Shuck Books who dedicate themselves to publishing genres overlooked by larger imprints, often fly under the radar but they are so very much worth discovering. Award nominations are a chance to shine the spotlight on them and celebrate what they do, all the more so when the awards in question traditionally celebrate the science fiction and fantasy genres more so than horror!

So please join me in thanking Steve for everything he does. Maybe pop over and peruse the Black Shuck catalogue to say thanks too? (Hint: There’s a brilliant collection of robot stories by Tim Major just dropped!)

The BSFA awards will be announced as always at Eastercon in two weeks’ time. I’ll be on a few tasty looking horror/weird panels, and am especially looking forward to celebrating 35 years of Twin Peaks.

I’m down for an autographing session too apparently. Honestly not expecting people to come looking for my signature but if you fancy coming for a chat there might be a freebie or two on offer.

Roll on Belfast!