George RR Martin rallies behind author of Yellowface - who was snubbed from prestigious Hugo Awards 'over criticism of China' - as she slams publishing world for 'censorship'

The author of hit bestseller Yellowface has slammed 'censorship' as her award-winning book Babel was crowned ' Best Novel' at the Alfie Awards, hosted by George RR Martin. The author of hit bestseller Yellowface has slammed 'censorship' as her award-winning book Babel was crowned ' Best Novel' at the Alfie Awards, hosted by George RR Martin In an Instagram post this weekend, Rebecca, 28, penned a heartfelt thank-you message for her 'favorite award that is most definitely not a Hugo'. In an Instagram post this weekend, Rebecca, 28, penned a heartfelt thank-you message for her 'favorite award that is most definitely not a Hugo' Rebecca's book Babel tells the story of Robin, a boy who is taken from China to become an Oxford University student, and is set in a world where translators practice a unique form of magic 'Until one is provided that explains why the book was eligible for the Nebula and Locus awards, which it won, and not the Hugos, I assume this was a matter of undesirabilty rather than ineligibility. The Guardian reported that in January, the Hugo awards statistics from last year - which was held as part of the World Science Fiction Convention in Chengdu, China in 2023 - showed that Rebecca and fantasy YA author Xiran Jay Zhao were among the writers who could have been on the ballot in their categories as they received enough nominations - but were called 'not eligible' without further explanation. Also honoured at this year's Alfies was Xiran - author of the bestselling Iron Widow - who took to X to write: 'Tfw you got disqualified from the Hugo Awards last year for proven political censorship but then George RR Martin rings you up to give you a consolation prize 'Congrats and solidarity with fellow winners RF Kuang and Paul Weimer!'