Did I do that joke last year? There are a limited number of axe-related puns in the world, honestly.

Anyway, it's that time of year (a bit later than the same time last year, if that makes any sense at all) when someone has to get axed. The Gemmell Awards have opened up for voting on the longlists, and you can find the page here. The voting tab is on the topbar, and as usual anyone at all can cast a stone for their favourite in three categories — the Legend award for best book, the Morningstar award for best newcomer, and the Ravenheart award for best cover art. It would be profoundly dishonest of me not to mutter under my breath that Seal of the Worm is on the Legend list, but seriously, no Sad Spider Slate here. There are a lot of absolutely cracking books on the list, so vote with your conscience (1). Do go vote, though. It may be the most open-voted award in the genre with the least faff involved in voting. I think voting closes some time in May, so the window isn't huge, and the actual awards are being announced and delivered (not, one hopes, Druss-like and blade first) at hotly anticipated Nine Worlds 2015 in August. So, you know, perfect for post-award commiseration and drinks…

(1) and when the Spider Invasion happens I promise that there will be absolutely no post-hoc arachnid scrutiny of voting records…