Spectrum 13 is out on the stands and it's bigger and better than ever - great paintings from the people we expect to look forward to and a lot of new names...or at least, new to me. It's longer and has more full-page images than in past editions...I say this every year but, this really is the best one yet. I attempted to start naming particular pieces but the list got too long. I am happy to say that Tor has 18 pieces in the book category. Along with the artwork there is Arnie Fenner's "year in review" and essays on Katrina, the Spectrum Exhibition (more on that soon), Byron Priess, and this year's Grand Master award winner, Jeff Jones.
Congrats to every one in the book. I've been on the Jury twice in the past and I know it is tough competition so, hats off and three cheers! Special congrats to Michael Deas for his silver award on our Richard Matheson novel, Earthbound. (Which also garnered a Society of Illustrators gold medal.)
Everyone with an interest in science fiction and fantasy should run out and get a copy. Nothing will keep you better informed to what is happening in the field's artwork better than the Spectrum annuals.
Photo: Book gold and silver awards, Jon Foster and Michael Deas. Editorial gold and silver awards, William Stout and Yuko Shimizu.