Esteemed agents and faithful readers, Miss Braun and I come to you upon bended knee…which, if you are working your way across a large room — I assure you — is neither a simple nor comfortable feat.
Perhaps you have heard our intrepid journalists, Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris, discuss on their respective archives the recent development for Phoenix Rising. In case you have missed those missives, we have some ripping good news. We at the Ministry received word from the delightful ætherwebs’ network, Goodreads, that Phoenix Rising: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel had been short listed for Best Science Fiction of 2011; and just this week we have continued on to the Semi-Final Round.
Miss Braun and I dared a look at those in our company and what an honour this is! Alongside our journalists are writers such as:
- Stephen King
- Charlie Stross
- Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
- Robert J. Sawyer
- China Miéville
- John Scalzi
On closer inspection, you should note that Phoenix Rising is the only steampunk in the running for Best Science Fiction. (We are, by no means, the only steampunk in the Goodreads Choice Awards though, as dear friend of the Ministry Gail Carriger and her latest in the Parasol Protectorate, Heartless, is in the running for Best Paranormal Fantasy.) It would be very easy to surrender to base emotions such as ambition and yes — lust — at a time like this, however I can speak plainly as a representative of the Ministry that we are within a delightful and talented score of adventures in this round, and most grateful for this accolade.
Our gratitude, however, does not mean we want to stop here.
Running alongside Hugo winners, Nebula winners, and New York Times bestsellers, our desire is simply to keep Phoenix Rising in the running. To do that, we need your help. At present the Goodreads Choice Awards has two voting sessions remaining:
- Semifinals: November 14 – November 20, 2011
You can vote for one of the now 20 nominees in each category. (Happening presently.) - Finals: November 21 – November 30, 2011
The field narrows to the top 10 books in each category, and you have one last chance to vote.
The Ministry goal: Make it to the Finals.
If you haven’t voted yet, and you have an account with Goodreads, take a moment to vote. (There are other books too worth your attention in the other categories, as well!) We wish represent the steampunk genre in Goodreads’ Top Ten Science Fiction for 2011.
Rest assured that between now and the end of November, we have no intention of turning our ætherblog or æthertweets into mindless rhetoric concerning this award. But we will not allow this opportunity to go gently into the night. Expect to see:
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- Æthertweets from Miss Braun and myself asking for your vote
- Facebook posts from both our journalists, asking for your vote
- And perhaps, a quick blogpost reminding you of deadlines and where we stand
So please vote. If you have voted already, ask colleagues in your Goodreads network to voice their support for the Ministry. Together, we shall bring the boilers to full and keep our humble steampunk adventure in the running.