Inspired by my Clarion West classmate S. Qiouyi Lu, I figured I should probably throw my hat in the ring for 2016 awards eligibility. I haven’t accomplished as much as S this year, so my post will be correspondingly shorter.

Like S., I’m also in my first year of eligibility for the John W Campbell award for best new writer. That said, if I was you, I’d vote for S., not me. In fact, I’d actively encourage you to consider S. Qiouyi Lu for best new writer.

I saw two stories published this year which are up for consideration in the short story category for both the Nebulas and Hugos, and possibly for other awards as well.

“The Star Tree,” a 4200 word science fiction short story, appeared in Writers of the Future, volume 32. It took first place in the fourth quarter of the competition. It’s the story of a boy who’s lost his mother, and of a trading-card game where children can trade entire lost planets.

“Real Selfies,” a 2900 word contemporary fantasy story, appeared in Untethered: A Magic iPhone Anthology. In the story, a camera app has the power to take photographs of your darkest fears.

If you’re reading for these or other awards, please drop me an e-mail and I’ll send you review copies of one or both stories.