An Interview With Carol Ann Kerry-Green (Arthur C. Clarke Judge) (1/2) By Lynne Taylor

(1/2), (2/2).

By day Carol Ann Kerry-Green works for the local authority writing up reports and having meetings but by night she can be time travelling to the distant future or experiencing life in a colony on another planet - all because of her passion for science fiction novels. Carol, who has been fascinated by the what if' from her teens, began her career in British Science Fiction more than twenty years ago.

Not only did she edit British Science Fiction Association magazine Focus for seven years but she has also become an established reviewer of science fiction novels. Her most recent review was of the new Steph Swainston novel No Present Like Time for the Vector magazine, issue 142.

She is also a founder member of the Hull Science fiction group that meets every second and fourth Tuesday to discuss various books and themes and occasionally has invited guest speakers. Her continuing involvement has finally brought her the greatest, and yet most satisfying challenge as an Arthur C. Clarke Award judge. Carol very kindly gave up some of her time to tell me about her role as a judge and what it exactly entails.

First could you tell me a little a bit about the background of the Arthur C Clarke awards? It was established in the mid-eighties. Arthur C Clarke wanted to put something back into the Science fiction community that had so loyally supported him, so he created this award to bring recognition to other writers of the genre. As the already established BSFA chose their books by popular vote, it was decided that a jury should choose the Arthur C Clarke Award. The jury consists of representatives from The British Science Fiction Association, the Science Fiction Foundation and the Science Museum and an administrator Paul Kincaid who facilitates on the proceedings.

The Prize is currently an engraved bookend and £2, 005 cash. In 2001 to celebrate Sir Arthur's famous novel 2001 the prize was raised by £1 to £2, 001 and has continued to be raised by £1 per year. While it does not have the same profile as the Booker Prize publishers say that the Award makes it easier to sell their books abroad.

And how did you become one of the Judges? I was invited through my involvement with the BSFA and I was emailed asking me if I would like to be a Judge for two years. This has been my last year...sadly.

And what exactly do you have to do as a Judge? Well the book reading is meant to take place between June and December, but most books don't really arrive until September. It helps of course if you are a fast reader, you tend to make value judgements after the first three chapters as by then you usually get a feel for it and if it works for you. This is subjective and that is why five judges are needed. We can receive up to sixty books that have to be whittled down to six for the shortlist.

Continued ...next page

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