Most pretigeous awards in spec-fi industry end nominating today

Nominations for the 2007 Hugo Awards are being accepted until midnight, Pacific Time, tonight.  After having problems submitting my on-line ballot last night, I finally got mine successfully transmitted this afternoon.  This deadline caught me by surprise since most Worldcons usually allow toward the end of March to nominate.  (The awards aren't presented until August/September, so why the rush?)

For those unfamiliar with the Hugo Awards, they are presented at the World Science Fiction Convention (aka Worldcon), which is traditionally held over the USA's Labor Day weekend.  (During the past 10 years that date has been waffling, mostly because of conflicts created with the start of the academic year.)  Any member as of 31 January 2007 of this year's Worldcon has the opportunity to nominate and vote on the final ballot for the Hugos.  Anyone who was member of last year's Worldcon (aka L.A.con IV) is also eligible to nominate for the 2007 awards.

Among the Hugo categories for excellence in the speculative fiction industry are:

Best Novel

Best Novella

Best Novelette

Best Short Story

Best Related Book

Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form

Best Editor, Short Form

Best Editor, Long Form

Best Professional Artist

Best Semiprozine

Best Fanzine

Best Fan Writer

Best Fan Artist

John W. Campbell Award (for best new spec-fi writer; It's not a Hugo, but administered and awarded along with them.)

This year Worldcon (aka Nippon 2007) is being held in Yokohama, Japan, which is its first Asian site.  Although I have a full-attending membership, I don't foresee going unless I have an unexpected change in financial circumstances.  If there are any members of this year's Worldcon or last's on Gather, I just want to remind them that nominating ends tonight.  I hope those I nominated make it.