I step away from the computer for a few days (primarily to build a swingset in the backyard, and I've got the blisters and bruises to prove it), and someone goes and releases good news to the web.

I was delighted to learn that my story "Metal Dragon Year", that appeared last year in the pages of Interzone, has been included in the list of nominees for this year's Sidewise Awards, in the Best Short-Form Alternate History category. This is the third Celestial Empire story to be nominated in the category, following "Red Hands, Black Hands," which was on the list in 2004, and "O One," which won the award in 2003.

I can't say I like my chances of winning, though. Look at the list of powerhouses I'm up against, here:

Best Short Form:
Elizabeth Bear, “Les Innocents/Lumiere” (in New Amsterdam, Subterranean Press)
Michael Flynn, “Quaestiones Super Caelo Et Mundo” (in Analog, 7/07)
Matthew Johnson, “Public Safety” (in Asimov’s, 3/07)
Jess Nevins, “An Alternate History of Chinese Science Fiction” (in No Fear of the Future, May 17, 2007)
Chris Roberson, “Metal Dragon Year” (in Interzone, 12/07)
Kristine Kathryn Rusch, “Recovering Apollo 8″ (in Asimov’s, 2/07)
John Scalzi, “Missives from Possible Futures #1: Alternate History Search Results” (in Subterranean Magazine, Winter 2007)

Best Long Form:
Michael Chabon, The Yiddish Policemen’s Union (HarperCollins)
Robert Conroy, 1945: A Novel (Ballantine Books)
Mary Gentle, Ilario (The Lion’s Eye and The Stone Golem) (Eos)
Jay Lake, Mainspring (Tor Books)
Sophia McDougall, Rome Burning (Orion)
Jo Walton, Ha’penny (Tor Books)

We'll find out at WorldCon in Denver which of these lovely and deserving people takes home the plaque in each of the two categories.