Michael Chabon Wows Peers Across Two Genres

Last April, I suggested Michael Chabon‘s The Yiddish Policemen’s Union “had an equal chance of winning… the Hugo AND the Edgar,” and, well, it’s getting a lot closer to happening. The novel is already nominated for an Edgar, which is presented annually by the Mystery Writers of America, and while the Hugo nominations are still being sorted out, the Science Fiction Writers of America have announced the shortlists for the Nebula, sci-fi’s other big award, and Chabon’s in the best novel category there, too. Granted, he’s got strong competition in each field, but at least he’s the first novelist ever nominated by both organizations for the same novel. (Jack Vance won a Nebula and an Edgar, but for different works.)

“I would say it’s a dream come true,” Chabon responded when I emailed him this morning, “except that I would never have dared dream it was remotely possible. A very old and lasting ambition has now been satisfied. And it means so much to me that both the Edgar and the Nebula are awarded by my colleagues and peers in the respective fields. They’re both tough crowds.”

CORRECTION: GalleyCat reader Michael Walsh reminds me that Jeffrey Ford‘s The Girl in the Glass was nominated for the best novel Nebula and won the best paperback original Edgar in 2006. (Ford also has a Nebula for the novellette “The Empire of Ice Cream.”)

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