Ramez Naam wins Philip K. Dick award

Darqref · 03-27-2016, 08:27 PM

This weekend at NorWesCon 39, Ramez Naam won the P.K. Dick award for his novel "Apex" (which is the third book in a trilogy - the first book is "Nexus")

Usually I don't like the P.K. Dick winners, and usually not even any of the nominees. This is the first time in over ten years that I've even read any of the nominated works, and I actually like the Nexus trilogy.

Finalists:

EDGE OF DARK by Brenda Cooper (Pyr)
AFTER THE SAUCERS LANDED by Douglas Lain (Night Shade Books)
(R)EVOLUTION by PJ Manney (47North)
APEX by Ramez Naam (Angry Robot Books)
WINDSWEPT by Adam Rakunas (Angry Robot Books)
ARCHANGEL by Marguerite Reed (Arche Press)

Dr. Drib · 03-29-2016, 08:47 AM

Here's an Amazon link, if anyone is curious:

http://www.amazon.com/Apex-Nexus-Tri...=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

Dr. Drib · 03-29-2016, 08:56 AM

Not to be confused with this 'Apex,' published by HarperCollins, which also looks to be pretty good:

http://www.amazon.com/Apex-Aer-ki-Jy...aer-kii+kindle

HarryT · 03-29-2016, 09:24 AM

I hadn't heard of this award before, so I did a little research. It appears to be an award for the "best original science fiction paperback published for the first time during 2015 in the U.S.A.", in the opinion of five judges whose names certainly don't ring any bells for me. Anyone know who these five people actually are, and what criteria are used to make the decision? Are they people in the SF publishing industry? People picked randomly off the street? Something else?

See: http://www.philipkdickaward.org/

Dr. Drib · 03-29-2016, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I hadn't heard of this award before, so I did a little research. It appears to be an award for the "best original science fiction paperback published for the first time during 2015 in the U.S.A.", in the opinion of five judges whose names certainly don't ring any bells for me. Anyone know who these five people actually are, and what criteria are used to make the decision? Are they people in the SF publishing industry? People picked randomly off the street? Something else?

See: http://www.philipkdickaward.org/

This award has been around awhile, but I never really bothered with it. It's very well known among those who keep track of the many awards that are given.

Here's the link to the WIKI list of winners (in bold), along with additional information. The award itself goes back to 1982.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_K._Dick_Award

treadlightly · 03-29-2016, 10:44 AM

Coincidentally I was going to start Nexus as my next book, as it was recommended for people who liked Daemon by Daniel Suarez (which I did).

DrNefario · 03-29-2016, 04:39 PM

It is a bit of a weird award from a UK perspective, since it's for paperback originals, some of which will never even see the light of day over here.

Still, we had our BSFA awards this weekend just gone, and Australia had its Aurealises. Busy weekend.

tompe · 03-29-2016, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I hadn't heard of this award before, so I did a little research. It appears to be an award for the "best original science fiction paperback published for the first time during 2015 in the U.S.A.", in the opinion of five judges whose names certainly don't ring any bells for me. Anyone know who these five people actually are, and what criteria are used to make the decision? Are they people in the SF publishing industry? People picked randomly off the street? Something else?

See: http://www.philipkdickaward.org/

I have always assumed you could compare it to the Clarke award with respect of the selection of judges.

Lisa Mason is an SF author.

Darqref · 03-30-2016, 02:33 AM

The PK Dick award started back when books that originated in paperback were the norm, only bigger names got hardback originals. It's just that while I used to like Philip Dick's work, and many of his stories have been made into movies, I haven't liked most of the award's short list books in recent years. Ramez Naam's work was published in trade paper editions, which still qualifies as "paperback".

I've known about this award for a long time, since I've been attending NorWesCon for more than 30 years. Like any award, it's used mostly for marketing, but it's considered only slightly less prestigious than the Hugo and Nebula.

James Glass is also an SF author, I've had some of his books for 20 years or more. I've heard of Brenda Clough, but don't have any of her books.

As a side note, there was a panel at the con where an artist talked about how he designed and built the actual trophies to be used this summer for the Hugo awards.

HarryT · 03-30-2016, 04:34 AM

Thanks for that. Sounds as if the judges are all perhaps authors, although I must admit that I haven't heard of any of them until now.

03-27-2016, 08:27 PM	#1
Darqref space cadet Posts: 330 Karma: 2963633 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Seattle area Device: Rocket PRO, gen3, Pocketbook360	Ramez Naam wins Philip K. Dick award This weekend at NorWesCon 39, Ramez Naam won the P.K. Dick award for his novel "Apex" (which is the third book in a trilogy - the first book is "Nexus") Usually I don't like the P.K. Dick winners, and usually not even any of the nominees. This is the first time in over ten years that I've even read any of the nominated works, and I actually like the Nexus trilogy. Finalists: EDGE OF DARK by Brenda Cooper (Pyr) AFTER THE SAUCERS LANDED by Douglas Lain (Night Shade Books) (R)EVOLUTION by PJ Manney (47North) APEX by Ramez Naam (Angry Robot Books) WINDSWEPT by Adam Rakunas (Angry Robot Books) ARCHANGEL by Marguerite Reed (Arche Press)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Help with Philip K. Dick	bloodlover	Reading Recommendations	13	10-20-2012 04:38 AM
Philip K Dick for $1.99 each at Amazon (US)	caleb72	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	11	10-13-2012 08:50 PM
Philip K. Dick Re-Issues	replica145	General Discussions	7	09-10-2011 03:27 PM
Philip Roth wins Booker	TGS	News	27	05-21-2011 04:20 AM
Philip K. Dick	guguy	Reading Recommendations	24	06-06-2008 01:41 PM

03-29-2016, 08:47 AM	#2
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,743 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	Here's an Amazon link, if anyone is curious: http://www.amazon.com/Apex-Nexus-Tri...=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

03-29-2016, 08:56 AM	#3
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,743 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	Not to be confused with this 'Apex,' published by HarperCollins, which also looks to be pretty good: http://www.amazon.com/Apex-Aer-ki-Jy...aer-kii+kindle

03-29-2016, 09:24 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I hadn't heard of this award before, so I did a little research. It appears to be an award for the "best original science fiction paperback published for the first time during 2015 in the U.S.A.", in the opinion of five judges whose names certainly don't ring any bells for me. Anyone know who these five people actually are, and what criteria are used to make the decision? Are they people in the SF publishing industry? People picked randomly off the street? Something else? See: http://www.philipkdickaward.org/

03-29-2016, 10:44 AM	#6
treadlightly Wizard Posts: 1,370 Karma: 6957792 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ottawa, ON Device: Kobo H2O	Coincidentally I was going to start Nexus as my next book, as it was recommended for people who liked Daemon by Daniel Suarez (which I did).

03-29-2016, 04:39 PM	#7
DrNefario Wizard Posts: 2,099 Karma: 11315768 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle, Kobo Touch, Nook SimpleTouch	It is a bit of a weird award from a UK perspective, since it's for paperback originals, some of which will never even see the light of day over here. Still, we had our BSFA awards this weekend just gone, and Australia had its Aurealises. Busy weekend.

03-30-2016, 02:33 AM	#9
Darqref space cadet Posts: 330 Karma: 2963633 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Seattle area Device: Rocket PRO, gen3, Pocketbook360	The PK Dick award started back when books that originated in paperback were the norm, only bigger names got hardback originals. It's just that while I used to like Philip Dick's work, and many of his stories have been made into movies, I haven't liked most of the award's short list books in recent years. Ramez Naam's work was published in trade paper editions, which still qualifies as "paperback". I've known about this award for a long time, since I've been attending NorWesCon for more than 30 years. Like any award, it's used mostly for marketing, but it's considered only slightly less prestigious than the Hugo and Nebula. James Glass is also an SF author, I've had some of his books for 20 years or more. I've heard of Brenda Clough, but don't have any of her books. As a side note, there was a panel at the con where an artist talked about how he designed and built the actual trophies to be used this summer for the Hugo awards.

03-30-2016, 04:34 AM	#10
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Thanks for that. Sounds as if the judges are all perhaps authors, although I must admit that I haven't heard of any of them until now.