The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) has created a new literary award to recognize outstanding science fiction and fantasy novels that are written for the young adult market.

The award has been named in honor of Andre Norton, a SFWA Grand Master and author of more than 100 novels, including the acclaimed Witch World series, many of them for young adult readers. Ms. Norton’s work has influenced generations of young people, creating new fans of the fantasy and science fiction genres and setting the standard for excellence in fantasy writing.

The Andre Norton Award for an outstanding young adult science fiction or fantasy book is an annual honor that will first be given in 2006 (for books published in 2005). Nominations will be based on the same process as the SFWA Nebula™ Awards. Any book published as a young adult science fiction/fantasy novel will be eligible, including graphic novels with no limit on word length.

“We are thrilled to honor Ms. Norton with this new award,” said Catherine Asaro, President of SFWA. “Many adults today, myself included, were first introduced to science fiction and fantasy through her books and have gone on to become readers, fans, and authors themselves. Andre Norton has done more to promote reading among young adults than anyone can measure.”

Cynsational Links

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America: the professional organization for authors of science fiction and fantasy literature. It was founded in 1965 by Damon Knight, who also served as its first president. SFWA has brought together the most successful and daring writers of speculative fiction throughout the world, and has grown in numbers and influence until it is now widely recognized as one of the most effective non-profit writers’ organizations in existence. More than 1500 SF and fantasy writers, artists, editors, and allied professionals are members. Each year the organization presents the prestigious Nebula Awards™ for the best science fiction or fantasy short story, novelette, novella, and novel of the year.

My favorite science fiction YA novels include Dancing With An Alien by Mary Logue (Harper, 2000)(read an author interview) as well as The Dark Side of Nowhere (Little Brown, 1997)(read an excerpt and author comments) and Downsiders (Simon & Schuster, 1999)(read an excerpt), both by Neal Shusterman.

Holly Black, Queen of Caffeine: blog from the author of Tithe: A Modern Fairie Tale and The Spiderwick Chronicles. Vist Holly’s Web site and read an author interview from teachingbooks.net (PDF file, takes a couple of minutes to download on dial-up but worth the wait).

The Life Cycle of a Book from Idea to your Home by Irene Harrison’s Guide to Book Collecting via Andre Norton’s site.

Vijaya Khisty Bodach’s author Web site offers some inspirational quotes for writers.