World Fantasy Awards nominees announced today

I learned on Reader’s Almanac earlier today that the World Fantasy Awards nominees for works published in 2009 have been announced. The winners will be announced Oct. 28-31 during this year's World Fantasy Convention in Columbus, Ohio.

The World Fantasy Awards, an example of which is pictured at right, are given annually to authors and artists that have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of fantasy. The overall winners are selected by a panel of judges, which changes every year.

This year’s nominees for Best Novel are as follows:

- Blood of Ambrose by James Enge (Pyr)

- The Red Tree by Caitlín R. Kiernan (Roc)

- The City & The City by China Miéville (Macmillan UK/ Del Rey)

- Finch by Jeff VanderMeer (Underland)

- In Great Waters by Kit Whitfield (Jonathan Cape UK/Del Rey).

Awards are also given each year in the categories of best novella, best short story, best anthology, best collection, best artist, and special award-professional and special award–non-professional. To see the nominees in each of these categories, visit http://www.locusmag.com/News/2010/08/2009-world-fantasy-awards-nominees/.

The World Fantasy Awards were first given in 1975, and the award statue itself is a bust of H.P. Lovecraft, in honor of his prolific work and contributions to the world of fantasy.

Before I cut out of here for tonight, here’s a complete list of all the novels that have won the World Fantasy Award:

1975 – The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip
1976 – Bid Time Return by Richard Matheson
1977 – Doctor Rat by William Kotzwinkle
1978 – Our Lady of Darkness by Fritz Leiber
1979 – Gloriana by Michael Moorcock
1980 – Watchtower by Elizabeth A. Lynn

1981 – The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe
1982 – Little, Big by John Crowley
1983 – Nifft the Lean by Michael Shea
1984 – The Dragon Waiting by John M. Ford
1985 – Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock and Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart

1986 – Song of Kali by Dan Simmons
1987 – Perfume by Patrick Susking
1988 – Replay by Ken Grimwood
1989 – Koko by Peter Straub
1990 – Lyonesse: Madouc by Jack Vance

1991 – Only Begotten Daughter by James Morrow and Thomas the Rhymer by Ellen Kushner
1992 – Boy’s Life by Robert R. McCammon
1993 – Last Call by Tim Powers
1994 – Glimpses by Lewis Shiner
1995 – Towing Jehovah by James Morrow

1996 – The Prestige by Christopher Priest
1997 – Godmother Night by Rachel Pollack
1998 – The Physiognomy by Jeffrey Ford
1999 – The Antelope Wife by Louise Erdich
2000 – Thraxas by Martin Scott

2001 – Declare by Tim Powers and Galveston by Sean Stewart
2002 – The Other Wind by Ursula K. Le Guin
2003 – The Facts of Life by Graham Joyce and Ombria in Shadow by Patricia A. McKillip
2004 – Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton
2005 – Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

2006 – Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
2007 – Soldier of Sidon by Gene Wolfe
2008 – Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay
2009 – The Shadow Year by Jeffrey Ford and Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan

In the end, how many of these books have you had a chance to read? What did you think about them? Which would you recommend? Let us know in the comments section below.