The short list for the David Gemmell Legend Awards was released yesterday. These awards are specifically directed to heroic fantasy, and will be awarded on June 18, 2010. Here are the nominees:

Raven Award for Best Fantasy Cover Art
John Sullivan (illustrator) and Sue Michniewicz (art direction) for The Cardinal's Blades by Pierre Pevel
John Sullivan for Empire by Graham McNeill
Jackie Morris (illustrator) and Dominic Forbes (art direction) for Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb
Didier Graffet and Dave Senior (illustrators) and Laura Brett (art direction) for Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie
Larry Rostant (illustrator) and LouLou Clarke (art direction) for Fire by Kristin Cashore

Morningstar Award for Best Fantasy Newcomer
The Drowning City by Amanda Downum
The Cardinal's Blades by Pierre Pevel
Lamentation by Ken Scholes (reviewed here)
The Adamantine Palace by Stephen Deas
The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart by Jesse Bullington

The David Gemmell Legend Award for Best Fantasy Novel of 2009
The Cardinal's Blades by Pierre Pevel
Empire
by Graham McNeill
The Gathering Storm by Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan
Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie (reviewed here)

It will surprise no one, I'm sure, that I own several of these books and have -- just today! -- ordered several others. I've even read two of the nominees; links are included above. If I keep up the reading, you'll be getting reports on almost nothing but award nominees for awhile. Hope you enjoy reading the best as much as I do.