Mastodawn

A few weeks ago, I was very surprised to receive an email that my story, “Two Hands, Wrapped in Gold,” had been nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Novelette. As is customary, the awards team asked if I wished to accept the nomination or withdraw it from consideration. Unfortunately, I’ve decided to choose the latter option.

Please read my full explanation post here: https://sbdivya.com/fwords/2023/6/29/withdrawing-from-hugo-nominations

Withdrawing FROM Hugo Award Nominations — S.B. Divya

A few weeks ago, I was very surprised to receive an email that my story, “Two Hands, Wrapped in Gold,” had been nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Novelette. As is customary, the awards team asked if I wished to accept the nomination or withdraw it from consideration. Unfortunately, I’ve decided to

S.B. Divya

Charlie Stross Jul 9, 2023

@sbdivya Yup. I did not get offered a place on the Hugo shortlist this year, but I'd already decided to decline it if offered—for exactly the same reasons you cite. Painful, but morally necessary.

Andy P Jul 9, 2023

@sbdivya Congrats on the nomination, and I applaud your decision. I didn't even know about the guest speaker part.

Rimi B. Chatterjee Jul 9, 2023

@sbdivya Way to go. I’m amazed I didn’t hear of this when you did it. Aiming to change that.

Chris Kendall Jul 9, 2023

@sbdivya My sincere appreciation for your principled decision which must have been very difficult to make. I honour you for it.

Chris White finds this vexing Jul 9, 2023

@sbdivya @marthawells Thanks for your decision and the explanation! Hope they listen for future events.

Suz Korbel Jul 9, 2023

@sbdivya you are one strong and (well-deserved) righteous MF

ScottinSoCal 🇺🇦 🕊 🏳‍🌈Jul 9, 2023

As painful and difficult as I know this must be, I applaud you.

Woodchaz Jul 9, 2023

@sbdivya
Dang. I haven't been keeping up with the Hugos. I was just reading an article about the Sad Puppies mess years ago. I wondered if it had to do with that somehow.

This decision I totally understand. What's got into them?

Bill Hooker 😷Jul 9, 2023

@sbdivya Respect.

Joe McTee Jul 9, 2023

@sbdivya They say be the change you want in the world. You exemplify this completely.

Thank you for your leadership AND for your amazing writing!

Nisaa (she/her)Jul 9, 2023

@sbdivya thank you for letting us know about this. I will reconsider whether or not I want an online membership this year.

Derek So Jul 9, 2023

@sbdivya Good on you!

FredKiesche 🇺🇦Jul 9, 2023

@sbdivya @trollball Good for you!!! 🖖

Marie Brennan Jul 9, 2023

@sbdivya That is an *incredibly* hard decision to have to make, but I wholeheartedly understand and support your reasoning.

Jo Graham Jul 9, 2023

@sbdivya Thank you for your principled stand! Tons of respect. And a side eye for those who don't do the same.

Opus Fluke Jul 9, 2023

@sbdivya I had no idea of any of this. I salute your integrity. I boosted your post so others can see that principles still matter, especially when they cause pain. Shame it always comes to this.

John Shirley Jul 9, 2023

@sbdivya You'll probably regret that eventually. It's kind of more virtual signalling than anything.

JonKramer, CIS-HET Jul 10, 2023

@JohnShirley2023 @sbdivya , I am 60 now, and do not regret a single virtue I took a principled stance on, from my earliest days to now. Even those stances where I have changed position.

John Shirley Jul 10, 2023

@JonKramer @sbdivya But is it virtuous, really? You're condemning all kinds of other people nominated. Are you really being fair to those people? Also--I bet you didn't have a chance to win the Hugo on those occasions. On your deathbed you'll feel differently.

JonKramer, CIS-HET Jul 10, 2023

@JohnShirley2023 @sbdivya , those people need to be true to themselves. That isn't any of my concern.

John Shirley Jul 10, 2023

@JonKramer @sbdivya You'll eventually figuring out that you screwed up your life out of a bias.

Christophe Jul 10, 2023

@JonKramer @JohnShirley2023 @sbdivya There is a near-exact mapping between "situations I now regret" and "situations where I did not act according to my principles."

JonKramer, CIS-HET Jul 10, 2023

@cep @JohnShirley2023 @sbdivya , I strongly agree with this. Even when I changed values, which I have from time to time, those earlier positions I took I am unashamed of. I wouldn't take the same position NOW, but then I did, and I have no regrets. I do regret several actions I took where I tried to be popular, or go with the flow, or follow the herd when I disapproved of those actions.

John Shirley Jul 10, 2023

@JonKramer @cep @sbdivya This the world science fiction convention. It's not a bunch of MAGAs. These other people are not as depicted here. Protest the destruction of history in Florida and Texas. Protest the oppression of immigrants. But this--it's just slagging the Hugos out of personal vanity.

The Evil Microwizard Jul 10, 2023

@JohnShirley2023 @sbdivya Seriously?

Greg Wilson Jul 9, 2023

@sbdivya thank you for your integrity

Homunculus Jul 9, 2023

@sbdivya
I admire and applaud your act of conscience.

Ron Jeffries Jul 10, 2023

@sbdivya
Well done!

The Steel Rat Jul 10, 2023

Congrats on the nomination. and i fully agree, and support your reasoning to withdraw, it sends the right message.

JonKramer, CIS-HET Jul 10, 2023

@sbdivya Do you have to attend to win?

GraveRobyn Jul 10, 2023

@sbdivya thank you! I am proud that you are both worthy of a Hugo and are an honorable person. I am reading your story now!

Wacky Badger Jul 10, 2023

@sbdivya Much respect. Keep doing good in the world.

RuralTechie Jul 10, 2023

I support your right (of course!) to make a personal choice. On the other hand I have trouble understanding how doing so effects or influences change. You can be nominated for, win and accept a Hugo (AFAIK) all without attending the Con. Winning a Hugo (if you did) provides you with a bigger voice, more reach etc does it not? Then, expounding your observations and beliefs also reach more people. All still without going to China.

I get your beef w/ the sponsors though.

Pete Zicato Jul 10, 2023

@sbdivya Thank you for having and acting upon your principles. I’ve been thinking lately that people with principles are an endangered species.

Juicy Cake Of Figs Jul 10, 2023

@sbdivya The right decision.

A pity. It's a terrific story.

A Shiny Blue Thing Jul 10, 2023

@sbdivya Thank you for your determination to do what is right, and for your beautiful story.

pyrrhlin Jul 10, 2023

@sbdivya congratulations, and thank you

person Jul 10, 2023

@sbdivya Thank you

Love4ALL Jul 10, 2023

@sbdivya Thank you for your selfless support for an oppressed and mostly forgotten population. Here is the final episode of the "The World at War" docuseries' ultimate episode 26 "Remember", read by Lawrence Olivier. Your choice this day has embodied the meaning of this series' message. Thanks for making me proud to be a human being (it is rare these days), and may peace be with you, friend. [I find it sad that this ep can't be found on YT.)

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x69jdp9

The World at War: Remember (26 of 26) - video Dailymotion

For many the Second World War was the most significant experience of their lives. These are heartbreaking first hand remembrances from a vast array of survivors from both sides of the war.

Dailymotion

J.K. Ullrich Jul 10, 2023

@sbdivya Good for you! I admire that you prized your integrity more than a literary award, and used your platform to champion a cause that is all too frequently dismissed.

ceb Jul 10, 2023

@sbdivya Thank you for your principled stand. I am off to read your story now!

Alexander 😷Jul 10, 2023

@sbdivya ❤️

skribe 🇺🇦

verified_mustard

@sbdivya you could also try my approach, and only write crap that nobody wants to read. That too is a valid protest 😜

Scarab Jul 11, 2023

@sbdivya It was a great story! I'm not voting for the Hugo awards this year. I couldn't see how to do so without supporting this year's convention, which has two guests of honor advocating destruction of two peoples and cultures.