Monterey resident and author Sean Stewart is up for one of the most prestigious awards available in the science-fiction/fantasy genre during the Nebula Awards Weekend in New York City in mid-May.

His novel, Mockingbird, is a blend of magical realism and fantasy that chronicles the life of Toni Beauchamp, a pregnant young woman, between the time of her mother's death and her daughter's birth.

When the Weekly interviewed Stewart shortly after the release of the novel in July '98, we were impressed by Stewart's keen empathy, humor and use of language, and we quoted from the book, "Momma has the most beautiful voice. Sometimes she claims to have been an actress in her younger days. I can't prove that, but no one who hears her speak can deny the power of her voice; not clear at all, but worn soft with smoking and tears and bourbon, and laughter too. I don't think I've told you how much my mother laughed, or how much her laughter sounded like crying."

Apparently the Nebula powers-that-be were equally impressed: Mockingbird is among the six novels that are nominated for outstanding achievement this year.

Our congratulations go out to Stewart, who knowingly crafted an honest work that would either soar or fall flat on its face.

"The difficulty with doing really original work is that it's difficult to know what's crap," Stewart told us at the time. "You have to be willing to make a fool of yourself. You have to be willing to fuck up, fall flat on your face, if you're going to do anything great."

Easy Money?

Were you one of those kids who did it anyway even after your mom told you not to make faces because it might get stuck that way? If so, here's a chance to use your skills as a facial contortionist. eDrama is looking for a few good face-makers to pose for still photographs that will be used as part of a Web-based, customer-service training program. As trainees go through their paces in the computer simulation, that could be your mug they're staring at. The money's not bad either: $120/hour, with a $150 minimum. Auditions for the face-fest are April 8, 23 and 24. More info: 649-4003 or stories@edrama.com.

Extended Deadline

The deadline for submitting works to be displayed as part of the Art in Public Places project has been extended through this Friday (April 7). If you're interested in getting hung in public, get yourself in gear. Pull together 10 slides, a resume, a self-stamped envelope and $10. At this late date, it's probably best to drop off the material at the Cultural Council for Monterey County (Room 5 at Sunset Center, San Carlos and 8th, Carmel). More info: 622-9060, 625-4134. Hurry.

Thinking Out Loud

A poetry reading and awards ceremony honors the winners of the 2000 Monterey County High School Poetry Awards on Saturday. Certificates of merit, cash awards and books will be awarded beginning at 2pm at the Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. Twenty-five poems will be published in an anthology.

Farewell Recording

Pianist/composer Ernesto Diaz-Infante has released a new solo piano recording, Solus, highlighting his gifts not only for avant-garde composition, but his superb keyboard proficiency as well. Diaz-Infante, a long-time leader of the local experimental music scene, will be leaving the area to pursue new musical challenges in San Francisco.