The 2023 UFO Awards were an unexpected surprise insofar as it reflected 2022 work, my real comeback year in the United Fanzine Organization. And what a surprise it was!
It’s hard to properly express how it felt, being away from the hobby for so long, to return and feel the appreciation of your peers – many of whom don’t know me from my past work!
But a new year means new challenges. Circumstances change. Nothing is the same. Yet the drive to work with great people to make the best possible publications remains.
So, how did 2023’s Phoenix Productions output fare?
The award that blows me away. The UFO membership is a collection of publishers, so to be considered “The Best”…that’s something special.
Not sure what more can be said. I’m flattered beyond belief. OK, how about this:
Special mention needs to be made that the legendary Larry Johnson and I tied for this award. Larry’s work is consistently fresh and unique, and his comics present as well as anything on the racks at your local comic shop. It’s a genuine honor to be listed alongside Larry.
2023 was a year of stretching myself with my writing:
- Building out the story of Hologram, one captioned splash page at a time
- Moving the war comic motif of The Patriots in Heroes Now to a science fiction tale
- Telling a short story of a dystopian future with a hopeful ending in Strange Times 4
Were they all perfect? No, not in the least. Did they each tell a story clearly? I hope so.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the lot. I’ve been publishing Hologram for some time now in individual minicomic editions with minimal response, so I presumed it would yield the same in a collected edition.
While my introduction and little graphic flourishes probably don’t move the needle, the Scott McClung cover is a head-turner. I also think that there’s something to be said for the rhythm of the story when read as a whole. I guess the UFO members felt that way, too!
The (more or less) followup to Strange Times 2: Who Are You, I was blessed to work with many of the same incredible creators (and some amazing new ones!) to tell a sequence of stories that come from deep inside. It’s hard to discuss our challenges and how we (sometimes) overcome them, but the spirit of collaboration brought out the best in everyone.
We made something truly special.
Keith and I met as strangers at S.P.A.C.E. 2022 and have since become friends. And while I marvel at his artistic skills – visual arts, music, costuming/makeup – what makes this renaissance man so powerful in my eyes is the incredible foundation upon which he has risen. His contribution to Strange Times 4 lays it out; I can’t think of a challenge that he hasn’t faced and overcome. Sharing Keith’s perspective with the world has been a highlight of my return to self-publishing, and I’m genuinely thrilled that his work is being recognized.
Coming in a close second for surprise awards, I appreciate that my non-comic writing was noticed. Perhaps the most important such scripting I did in 2023 was the introductions to Hologram, Strange Times 3 and Strange Times 4. I place a great deal of weight into those intros; done right, they set the table for the reading experience. They can convey a mood, might offer context that might not be obvious and can simply make the reader comfortable. Each book requires its own approach.
(I also wrote the first four installments of the Official Guide to the Phoenix Universe in Heroes Now 4…so I guess that counts, too.)
The idea of Strange Times 4 came about in the wake of issue 2. I had some additional thoughts about trying to overcome my surgery, and I had a feeling that Keith may have more to share after getting such a warm reception to his recollection of being a father during one of the scariest moments of his life. Boy, did he.
Sometimes, the best thing you can do as an editor is get out of the way. If memory serves correct, the only thing I did to Keith’s “Moment in Time” was to standardize the font with the rest of the zine. The rest, top to bottom, was his.
Keith beat me to the punch in offering comments on winning the Saucer, reprinted here: “So I was asked by Tom Fellrath to do a story for his book… Strange Times 4. The United Fanzine Organization, for small press books, did its awards this year… So, yeah my story ‘Moment in time’ Won best story, I won for best writer… tied with 3 other good writers.. and the book was awarded best zine… not too shabby…”
Not too shabby, indeed, and totally deserved.
There ya go. Seven (!!) Saucers across five categories. Truly amazing. So, so appreciated…each and every one. I’m so lucky to work with people who love making comics and zines, and really good ones at that. The awards are gratifying, I won’t lie, but the friendships and relationships that come from earning them are so much more important.
For those interested, here are the entire results. Congratulations to all of the Saucer recipients! It was a great year for United Fanzine Organization publications, and I’m honored to be a part of this historic co-op.
Phoenix Productions 
Congrats! Glad your successful publishing year is getting the recognition it deserves!
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