Voting opens for the 2020 Ursa Major Awards

Historically the UMA doesn't seem to have gone out of their way to tell people they've been nominated - or, say, contact past voters to tell them that it's time to nominate, or vote.

I ended up featured in a comic about the UMA a decade ago, because I was the person the artist had heard about it from. I can understand there might be privacy or anti-spam concerns, but it still seems like a bit of an oversight, which probably contributes to any wild swings in voting counts year-on-year.

Maybe they're worried more nominees will withdraw when they find out - or try to swing the vote; but that just means those who do hear about the nomination have a better chance to. Or perhaps they don't know who all the nominees are, or how to contact them; or don't have time between nomination and voting.

They weren't linked in the site announcement - dronon put some links in, I added the rest. Most of the works had links already on the Recommended list, though, so nominees could be found via that.

Saberspark just had songbirdDEIGE gift him a fursona, too, so at least he'll have something to wear when virtually accepting the award - if things work out that way (strong competition this year).

Is there a full-body photo to look at? The one from the Ursas page is upper torso and head.

They're considered to be part of Best Magazine, on the grounds that they provide an essentially similar service. Fuzzy Logic won that award for 2012 and Culturally F'd for 2018 - the last year for which Furcast was suggested on their Recommended list (someone has to remember to do so every year).

They present the ALAA's Choice Award, but it's only happened twice; in one case where Red Lantern narrowly lost, the other when "Children of the Night" was recommended but not nominated (their embedding of it is down - here is a copy of Children of the Night).

Looking at my picks, I guess I'm not a huge fan of the Mouse. Rats, snakes and squirrels are OK, though.

Best Dramatic Short Work

1. "Mystery Skulls Animated - The Future" - Not sure what's going on here, but I like it.
2. ZooPhobia - "Bad Luck Jack" - Nice style, very musical.
3. "Trick Moon" - Oh, that moon! And the animation is fun, too.

Hard to pick between Burrow and Trick Moon, but since the latter is more available, it wins.

Best Dramatic Series

1. Helluva Boss - Owlbears are so unusual, and it's nice to show the good side of evil.
2. Beastars - As with most work good enough to be brought in from abroad, it has merit.
3. Aggretsuko - I mean, wah. But is it in danger of repeating itself? Either way, it's coming.

Hey, it's Rakuen's picks! I wanted to put BNA on here, but it struck me as too teeny and too cyberpunk-style.

Best Novel

1. Disbanded - feral critters!
2. Entanglement Bound - whale-ships! Sounds familiar.
3. On The Mark - ponies! Well, kinda. Horn-y ponies?

Not selected: animal noir (though bonus points for spirit), animal vore!

Best Short Fiction

1. "Summer Strawberries" - best for many because you can read it or listen to it without charge
2. "What Makes a Witch" - rats! Also other stuff. For trans fans?

The rest sound… specific. I suspect short story fans who're interested in the topics will read them regardless of awards.

Best Other Literary Work

1. Bush Heroes - for charity!
2. Tales of Hayven Celestia - for variety!
3. Selections of Anthropomorphic Regalements, Vol. 1 - more variety... and snakes!

Best Non-Fiction Work

1. The Fandom: A Furry Documentary - which need all the help they can get.
2. Furries Among Us 3 - They live among us!
3. The Best and Worst Anthro Movies Tier List - Watched it and it made me smile.

Best Graphic Story

1. Shine - I mean, if it gets past nomination, how could I not?
2. Found Retake - When you wet yourself in the dream world, you wet in real life!
3. Oren's Forge - Have you seen the art?

Best Comic Strip

1. The Whiteboard - before it is replaced with electronic alternatives.
2. Housepets! - consistently award-winning.
3. Freefall - just getting to 3534 strips deserves an award in itself.

Best Magazine

1. Flayrah - We did a lot, including COVID coverage which is still rolling on
2. Zooscape - Free furry fiction, what's not to like?
3. Furry Writers' Guild - a bunch of interviews furry biographers will be mining for years.

I didn't do a huge amount here in 2020 - if we win for this year, Sonious or Crossie should get the award.

Best Published Illustration

1. "Take Off Your Headset!!" - Points for sheer ambition, plus it comes together into a composed scene.
2. "A Night At The Fair" - Lots and lots of chakats.
3. "Cheers" - Well-composed, background there if a bit blurry in places (like the game?).

Sometimes I fear the "published" bit gets in the way of art appreciation, but this year seemed... fine?

Best Game

1. Spiritfarer - original concept and great execution; plus, topical for some.
2. Animal Crossing: New Horizons - have to give it to them, it came out at exactly right time; speaking of:
3. Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time - featuring vulnerable species in endangering situations!

Best Website

1. Stolas - I mean, that attitude. And yet still a family man! Or trying.
2. SoFurry - still a good site with good features.
3. Loona - seems cheap to have two in here, but hey, they got nominated.

Best Anthropomorphic Costume (Fursuit)

1. Xif - did you see that full body? Can move in it, too. Working eyes is great to have. Also self-made and performed, so points for that.
2. Cassidy Civet - good suit, owner seems to know how to use it, as demonstrated in the links provided.
3. Zigc the Khajiit - I know, another cat? But the dog wasn't my thing, and I've seen a lot of goats (including versions of that one).

Like last year, I doubt they got many nominations. Fandom's Favorite Fursuit Fracas should return. On Twitter, Discord, and/or its own site. Understandably, though, few are looking for the stress involved.