So, it was a perfectly normal Thursday morning at work – I’d arrived, washed my hands, sorted out my water… the usual rock’n’roll day of a Bid Writer.
Then I check my email. An email from the editor of Dragontales – the lovely Holly Stacey – entitled ‘awards’.
Intrigued, I click on the email. After a pause, it opens and I read. The first line:
“Hi Justin,”
OK, all normal so far. Nothing I can’t handle.
“I thought you’d like to know that you have been nominated for the British Fantasy Awards.”
Stop right there. I’m now out of the comfort zone. I’ve been what for a whonow? I check I’m the right Justin. Check the Wyvern Publications website. Yup, it’s me. I’ve been nominated for a British Fantasy Award for short fiction. AND, as if that wasn’t enough, I was voted as the readers’ favourite story in Dragontales!
Needless to say, excitement abounds in the Carroll camp. I know, I know, it’s only a nomination – I’m not even short-listed. But, I didn’t realise that people like me even got nominated! This is officially a Big Deal for me. Neil Gaiman gets nominated for these awards. Dave McKean, Jamie Delago even. That’s ridiculously illustrious company.
Justin Carroll. BFA nominee. Holy. Heck.
A few very kind and noble friends have voted for me, registering their support, and I offer them HUGE thanks for that. Voting closed yesterday, so now I just have to wait and see if I get short-listed.
If the combination of probably groundless excitement and tension doesn’t do me a mischief!
