From the moment I arrived at the recent StokerCon in Las Vegas, I proudly wore a 5-Time Stoker Award Loser button which I’d made up proclaiming my 5-0 finalist status, as can be seen in this photo with Jennifer Brozek.

But everything changed the night of the awards banquet …

… because in losing yet again, my record changed to 6-0, tying me for the most nominations without a win ever.

The moment Mercedes Yardley was proclaimed the winner in my category, I removed my button, tossed it over my shoulder, and replaced it with one marking me instead as a 6-Time Stoker Award Loser.

But what to do with the button that was no longer valid?

Why, turn it over to one of the current 5-time losers, of course!

And who better than Michael McCarty, who freelanced for me during my years editing Science Fiction Weekly for the Syfy Channel? I mailed it off to him as soon as I got home, and he received it yesterday.

So say hello to 5-Time Stoker Award Loser Michael McCarty!

And may both our buttons be made invalid by the events which take place during next year’s StokerCon aboard the Queen Mary!