new Andre Norton Award

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America announced Feb. 20 a
new Andre Norton Award for young adult fiction. The announcement reads
as follows:

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 be first given in 2006.
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 pleased 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."