At an awards banquet during MidSouthCon 26, the 2008 Darrell Award winners were announced. Jackie had two stories as finalists in the short story category, but there was a charmingly stunned look on her face as the winner was revealed. The room erupted in shouts and applause as it was announced, "The winner of the 2008 Darrell Award for short story is Jackie Gamber, author of 'The Monster'."

The Darrell Awards are memorial awards given annually in the categories of short story, novella, and novel to promote literary science fiction and fantasy in the southeastern part of the U.S. A special thanks to the jury, the readers, and MidSouthCon for hosting the banquet. Check back here to see when Jackie's feet touch the ground again.