BSFA winner announced at Eastercon 2006

Just home from a terrific day at Concussion, this year's Eastercon, in sunny Glasgow-sur-le-Clyde ; I'll probably post a bit more on the con later but for now I thought I should pass on the news about the BSFA awards 2006 (although given for books published in the UK during 2005). Many of us crowded into the function suite by the Clyde at 9pm this evening to enjoy the sight of the first award of the evening - the Doc Weir award, given for services to fandom - not actually being awarded because the winner had vanished, allegedly taking a projector to another function, such was his dedication to the running of conventions. He was found by the end of the proceedings, or at least someone was given the award...

The assembled masses, many of us equipped with beards, were also treated to Stephen Baxter's Cabaret (well, not really, but it would have been fun), Interzone #200's cover picking up the art award, Kelly Link picking up the short story award for Magic for Beginners and then Geoff Ryman receiving the BSFA award for Tallest SF Author in the Room.. Er, I mean Geoff picking up the much-coveted BSFA Best Novel award for Air. Geoff was most gracious and tall in his brief acceptance speech and paid tribute to his fellow nomineess - and what a damned fine list it was, I had great difficulty in trying to rank my choices on my ballot slip. More on a fun day out for all the family at Eastercon later.