The Bram Stoker Awards Committee reported a correction to the 2023 Final Ballot after concluding Chuck Tingle’s novel Camp Damascus was in the wrong category.
Camp Damascus, which was initially announced as a nominee for Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel, was moved to the Novel category, joining The Reformatory by Tananarive Due, How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix, Don’t Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones, Lone Women by Victor LaValle, and Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig.
The adjustment left only four books instead of five in the Young Adult Novel category, so the Awards Committee added You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron. Bayron’s book joins Funeral Songs for Dying Girls by Cherie Dimaline, Find Him Where You Left Him Dead by Kristen Simmons, Harvest House by Cynthia Leitich Smith, and She Is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran in the Young Adult Novel category.
Tingle posted a statement on his social media, saying “because of my character Rose Darling’s point of view, Camp Damascus is written as an ADULT novel in a YOUNG ADULT novel’s clothing. As artistic choice, I wanted text to sit on border of youth and experience, so I believe it fits in EITHER category, just like a work of dramedy can be nominated in comedy OR drama. That said, I RESPECT AND APPRECIATE decision of HORROR WRITERS ASSOCIATION on moving Camp Damascus from Superior Young Adult Novel to Superior Novel category.
“To HWA, I think you have handled this in a very thoughtful and kind way that proves love is real,” Tingle continued. “I am sure this took a lot of rumination, and I am honored by your care, but mostly I would like to send huge congratulations to KALYNN BAYRON for nomination of her book You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight in Superior Young Adult Novel category. Can’t wait to say hello at StokerCon and celebrate in this way. I am thankful to be a part of this journey with you. What an exciting moment. … Also, if any part of you thinks ‘I feel bad for Chuck and Kalynn for this confusion, wish I could do something,’ consider this: Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle and Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron are out this summer. THEY COULD USE SOME PREORDERS. HECK YEAH.”
Bayron seemed thrilled by the nomination on her social media, posting “YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO DIE TONIGHT has been added to 2023 Bram Stoker Awards Final Ballot!!!!!”
However, she also alluded to some shade inexplicably directed her way, posting “So, because people are apparently mad at me(?), Chuck Tingle’s book didn’t get replaced by mine. It was moved to the appropriate age category and that was a decision made by the HWA. It’s still nominated. I don’t have anything to do with that.”
For the complete and updated list of the 2023 Bram Stoker Awards Final Ballot, visit the HWA website or the Bram Stoker Awards website.
Overall, 66 works of fiction and nonfiction were nominated in 13 categories. The winners will be announced June 1 during StokerCon 2024 in San Diego, California.
With more than 2,000 members, the HWA is the premier writers organization in the horror and dark fiction genre and has presented the Bram Stoker Awards since 1987.
LIONEL RAY GREEN 
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