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Lauren Beukes wins the Arthur C Clarke Award for Zoo City (Including Video)

by Ben - Editor on Apr 28th, 2011
25 comments

Lauren Beukes

Alert! Lauren Beukes is rewriting the rules for South African fiction. She was announced as the winner of the 25th Arthur C Clarke award for science fiction at the Sci-Fi London Film Festival last night, for her novel Zoo City – news that sparked an instant party on the medium that has helped spread her renown, Twitter.

Zoo CityZoo CityZoo CityZoo CityZoo City

Beukes’ husband, Matthew Brown, was amongst the virtual revelers:

Just spoke to @laurenbeukes she’s overwelmed and so happy. Look out for articles in The Gaurdian and The Independent tomorrowless than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyMatthew Brown
mattbrownSA

See below for more tweeted delirium.

“I won!” Beukes texted BOOK SA from the London venue – just before, presumably, she was mobbed by these well-wishers:

Audience at the Arthur C. @ClarkeAward now crowding the *winn... on Twitpic

Yep, she’s in that sci-fi scrum somewhere!

Beukes joins the likes of China Mieville as a Clarke laureate (Mieville was the 2010 recipient, and was at the awards to announce the 2011 winner; Margaret Atwood was the first winner, back in ’86). As Fiona Snyckers speculated last night, she may be the first South African to receive the honour.

Beukes, who rocked a sloth scarf over her gold dress – she was “animalled” for the occasion, after the fashion of her book’s main character – said she was “overwhelmed” by the win in her acceptance speech, and thanked BOOK SA member Sam Wilson, along with Charlie Human and Evan Milton, who each contributed a chapter to her novel.

Watch the announcement of the winner and Beukes’ acceptance speech:

YouTube Preview Image

It’s the second honour in nearly as many days for Zoo City: the novel’s arresting cover, by Joey Hi-Fi, won in the “Best Art” category at the British Science Fiction Awards at the weekend. It’s not certain what, exactly, Beukes and Hi-Fi take home with their awards, apart from due acclaim, thought it would seem that Beukes gets a cheque for £2011. (If anyone knows whether/what prize money, trophies or other items are given with the awards, please post a comment below. Thanks!)

Beukes’ wild ride with Zoo City, meanwhile, is far form over: her novel has been shortlisted for the University of Johannesburg Prize; and she’s up for the USA’s John W Campbell Award for Best New Sci-Fi Writer later this year.

In short, Beukes is tearing it up. Heartiest, but heartiest congratulations, Lauren! Bubbly aplenty is waiting for you back home!

Now, gentle reader, get off yer duff and get a copy of Zoo City. It’s world-class:

~ ~ ~

Here follows a sampling of tweets celebrating Zoo City‘s big win


Mike (la’s bro) for la: Lauren has just won the Arthur C. Clark Award. Yeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyLauren Beukes
laurenbeukes


RT @LondonSciFest: Audience at Arthur C. @ClarkeAward crowding *winner*, @laurenbeukes author of ‘Zoo City’ http://t.co/o184dE7 WELL DONEless than a minute ago via Twitter for Mac Favorite Retweet ReplyLaurice Taitz
lauricetb


Huge congratulations to @laurenbeukes who – I strongly suspect – is the first South African ever to win the Arthur C. Clarke award!!!less than a minute ago via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet ReplyFiona Snyckers
FionaSnyckers


Congratulations to Lauren Beukes on winning the 2011 @ClarkeAward for Zoo City. Here’s the announcement – http://j.mp/l92Px2 #sfl10less than a minute ago via Tweetbot for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplySCI-FI-LONDON
scifilondon


& in more good news, @oliagent‘s client @laurenbeukes wins the Arthur C Clarke Award! http://bit.ly/iWdlmdless than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyIsobel Dixon
isobeldixon


South Africa’s Lauren Boukes wins Arthur C Clarke Award. @BOOKSA is very happy. More tomorrow.less than a minute ago via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyGuardian Books
GuardianBooks


Hot damn. Congrats to @laurenbeukes for winning the Arthur C. Clarke award – that’s HUGE.less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyLiam Kruger
liamkruger


Congratulations @laurenbeukes! Epic @clarkeaward win!less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyMandy J Watson
mandyjwatson


2 good things tonight Mourinho lost( champions league semi ) & Lauren Beukes won ( the Arthur Clarke sci fi award )less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyBookdealers
bookdealers


Well, well deserved, Lauren.less than a minute ago via Twitterrific Favorite Retweet ReplySam Wilson
WombatSam


So, so cool. Well done Lauren! RT @ClarkeAward: Congratulations @laurenbeukes winner of the 25th Arthur C. Clarke Awardless than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet Replymatthew du plessis
mattduplessis


RT @FionaSnyckers: FOR REAL?Yay! RT @laurenbeukes: Mike (la’s bro) for la: Lauren has just won the Arthur C. Clark Award. Yeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaa!less than a minute ago via Echofon Favorite Retweet ReplyMmabatho Selemela
_MissMimi_


RT @gussilber: Big mazeltov to @laurenbeukes for winning the Arthur C Clarke Award for Science Fiction Literature. An amazing achievement.less than a minute ago via ÜberSocial Favorite Retweet ReplyKevin McCallum
KevinMcCallum


Congratulations @laurenbeukes winner of the 25th Arthur C. Clarke Awardless than a minute ago via HootSuite Favorite Retweet ReplyThe Clarke Award
ClarkeAward


RT @LondonSciFest: Audience at Arthur C. @ClarkeAward crowding *winner*, @laurenbeukes author of ‘Zoo City’ http://t.co/o184dE7 WELL DONEless than a minute ago via Twitter for Mac Favorite Retweet ReplyLaurice Taitz
lauricetb


Holy albino crocodiles!!!!!!!! Not that I’m at all surprised, @laurenbeukes has done us proud by winning the Arthur C. Clarke award!!less than a minute ago via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyTO (Osiame) Molefe
TOMolefe


FOR REAL????? Yay! RT @laurenbeukes: Mike (la’s bro) for la: Lauren has just won the Arthur C. Clark Award. Yeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!less than a minute ago via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet ReplyFiona Snyckers
FionaSnyckers


@BOOKSA what? what! what? Oh My GOD. @laurenbeukes fucking yyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyless than a minute ago via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyNechama Brodie
brodiegal


BOOK SA’s top story tomorrow morning is a no-brainer. @laurenbeukes has won the Arthur C. Clarke award. Absolutely outstanding!less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPad Favorite Retweet ReplyBOOK SA
BOOKSA


@laurenbeukes Many congratulations on bagging the AC Clarke!less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyGrondwerk
Grondwerk

Cats: Awards, Fiction, News, South Africa
Tags: Angry Robot, Arthur C Clarke Award, Awards, BOOK Southern Africa, Charlie Human, Ebook, Evan Milton, Fiction, Jacana, Kindle, News, Sam Wilson, Sci Fi London Film Festival, Science Fiction, South Africa, Speculative Fiction, Video, YouTube, Zoo City
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Recent comments:

  • <a href="http://tiahbeautement.typepad.com/quotidian/" rel="nofollow">tiah</a>
    tiah
    April 28th, 2011 @08:47 #
     
    Top

    Goodness. Well done!

    Bottom
  • <a href="http://louisgreenberg.com" rel="nofollow">Louis Greenberg</a>
    Louis Greenberg
    April 28th, 2011 @08:59 #
     
    Top

    I'm so thrilled. In many ways this is bigger than a Booker, notabler than another Nobel. Now the world will look to South Africa for more kick-ass, challenging, brilliantly written entertainment: there's some available, and plenty more to be written. It takes a brave writer to follow such an original vision with such clarity. She's a true trailblazer.

    Bottom
  • <a href="http://rustumkozain.book.co.za" rel="nofollow">Rustum Kozain</a>
    Rustum Kozain
    April 28th, 2011 @09:03 #
     
    Top

    Congratulations on bagging this one Lauren!

    (Dunno why BookSA's not picking up my early tweet. /sulk)

    Bottom
  • <a href="http://kelwynsole.book.co.za" rel="nofollow">Kelwyn Sole</a>
    Kelwyn Sole
    April 28th, 2011 @09:14 #
     
    Top

    May I add my congratulations. My guess is that you're a shoe-in for the John Campbell as well.

    Bottom
  • <a href="http://sarahlotz.book.co.za" rel="nofollow">Sarah Lotz</a>
    Sarah Lotz
    April 28th, 2011 @09:20 #
     
    Top

    Much joyful shrieking could be heard at 10pm in Noordhoek last night. Simply brilliant news.
    Well done, Lauren so happy for you (and btw I have to say: told you so! x).
    Can't wait for the write ups in the graun and the Telegraph.

    Bottom
  • <a href="http://www.sapartridge.co.za" rel="nofollow">Sally</a>
    Sally
    April 28th, 2011 @09:20 #
     
    Top

    I had a good feeling about this one. Well done! Soon South African writers will take over the world! mwuhahaha

    Bottom
  • <a href="http://www.michellematthews.co.za" rel="nofollow">Michelle</a>
    Michelle
    April 28th, 2011 @09:33 #
     
    Top

    I'm actually a bit tearful ... So very, very awesome.

    Bottom
  • <a href="http://helenmoffett.book.co.za" rel="nofollow">Helen</a>
    Helen
    April 28th, 2011 @09:40 #
     
    Top

    Mich, I'm also tearful... this is epic. Amazing. Incredible. Couldn't sleep for excitement after getting the news last night. What a hard-working writer, what a book, what a dream it was to edit. Kudos to Jacana and Angry Robot, too.

    Bottom
  • <a href="http://www.modjajibooks.co.za" rel="nofollow">Colleen</a>
    Colleen
    April 28th, 2011 @09:46 #
     
    Top

    Brilliant Lauren! I went to bed relatively early, then had a bout of insomnia so hung out on Twitter at about 3am, so thrilled to see this news. Good for you.

    Bottom
  • <a href="http://helenmoffett.book.co.za" rel="nofollow">Helen</a>
    Helen
    April 28th, 2011 @09:53 #
     
    Top

    Ben-E, I seem to remember that the winner gets 2011 pounds as well as a gong... just watched the clip (floods of tears by now) and want to add that sloth she's wearing an reason No. 2867 why Lauren deserved this win.

    Bottom
  • Ben - Editor
    Ben - Editor
    April 28th, 2011 @10:04 #
     
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    Thanks, H - added to the post.

    Bottom
  • <a href="http://louisgreenberg.com" rel="nofollow">Louis Greenberg</a>
    Louis Greenberg
    April 28th, 2011 @10:11 #
     
    Top

    Ahem, may I remind you all that there are original stories by today's stars, Lauren and Ivan, and 22 others, in Home Away: http://is.gd/VqcyPM. (This is not shameless cashing in: All royalties to charity.)

    Bottom
  • <a href="http://cynthiajele.book.co.za" rel="nofollow">Nozizwe Cynthia</a>
    Nozizwe Cynthia
    April 28th, 2011 @10:12 #
     
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    Well done, Lauren (and you too Helen)!

    Bottom
  • <a href="http://henriettaroseinnes.book.co.za" rel="nofollow">Henrietta</a>
    Henrietta
    April 28th, 2011 @10:27 #
     
    Top

    Wonderful news!! Many, many congratulations, L!

    Bottom
  • Ben - Editor
    Ben - Editor
    April 28th, 2011 @10:58 #
     
    Top

    Must've blinked, Rustum! Your tweet duly added :)

    Bottom
  • <a href="http://rustumkozain.book.co.za" rel="nofollow">Rustum Kozain</a>
    Rustum Kozain
    April 28th, 2011 @11:34 #
     
    Top

    Er... just a joke sulk.

    Bottom
  • <a href="http://louisgreenberg.com" rel="nofollow">Louis Greenberg</a>
    Louis Greenberg
    April 28th, 2011 @12:37 #
     
    Top

    Ben, any way you can get hold of one of those pics of Lauren and China Mieville that were snapped in the video? That's a keeper.

    Bottom
  • Ben - Editor
    Ben - Editor
    April 28th, 2011 @12:53 #
     
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    Have been trying, Louis. I'm sure we'll get one eventually - a keeper indeed!

    Bottom
  • <a href="http://liesljobson.bookslive.co.za" rel="nofollow">Liesl</a>
    Liesl
    April 28th, 2011 @17:29 #
     
    Top

    I take a one day break from the internet and lo and behold! Excellent news, so very well deserved, Lauren.

    Bottom
  • <a href="http://www.amillionmilesfromnormal.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Paige</a>
    Paige
    April 28th, 2011 @20:17 #
     
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    Lauren, you're a legend and an inspiration! whooooo hooooo there is much champagne to be had!

    Bottom
  • Mervyn
    Mervyn
    April 28th, 2011 @21:14 #
     
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    What Paige said. Your writing is legendary and your Laurenness is inspirational. Celebrating the recognition of a wonderful writer and an equally wonderful person. And let me know when we're ready 'cos we're going to have one heck of a celebration at the Book Lounge.

    Bottom
  • Mervyn
    Mervyn
    April 28th, 2011 @21:15 #
     
    Top

    erm, I meant when you're ready. We're always ready. Sort of.

    Bottom
  • <a href="http://www.sapartridge.co.za" rel="nofollow">Sally</a>
    Sally
    April 29th, 2011 @08:42 #
     
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    @Louis @Ben Here are some pics
    http://www.sfx.co.uk/2011/04/28/arthur-c-clarke-award-pics/?utm_source=SFFfeed&utm_medium=twitter

    Bottom
  • <a href="http://louisgreenberg.com" rel="nofollow">Louis Greenberg</a>
    Louis Greenberg
    April 29th, 2011 @09:50 #
     
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    Thanks, Sally - super sloth-sharing action going on there.

    Bottom
  • <a href="http://imago.book.co.za" rel="nofollow">Sophy</a>
    Sophy
    April 29th, 2011 @10:35 #
     
    Top

    I gotta get me one of those sloths.

    Bottom

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