1. One of the things that it's sometimes hard to communicate about being a finalist for an award is one might genuinely be happy for any of the people to win. To make this point, let me talk about why I would be thrilled on a personal level no matter who wins this Locus Award.
https://twitter.com/scalzi/status/1388565484430372864
2. Elizabeth Bear (@matociquala) was the Astounding Award winner just before me and one of my oldest friends in SF/F, and we used to teach together at @ViableParadise. A terrific writer and pal. It would be thrilling to have her win.
3. At my very first SF convention, Cory Doctorow (@doctorow) was literally pulled out of a crowd in a hotel lobby by our editor to be my con buddy and we have been compatriots since. A great social thinker and writer, and would be a deserved award winner.
4. Kate Elliott (@KateElliottSFF) I had the pleasure of hanging out with in Hawaii a few years ago; she was the best of company as we talked writing craft and other things. Her work is never less than excellent; how could I not want her to win?
5. William Gibson (@GreatDismal) literally changed the course of written science fiction and has been challenging the way we think about the world for decades. And is a hell of fine person. I could not imagine being upset to lose the category to him.
6. Mary Robinette Kowal (@MaryRobinette) is one of my best friends in the world and there's no one who has worked harder or more deserves their acclaim. Her "Lady Astronaut" series is groundbreaking and winning this award would reconfirm this.
7. Paul McCauley (@UnlikelyWorlds) is the only person on this list I do not know! But I do know his work, and it is very fine. A win here would be an excellent recognition of his talent and effort.
8. Kim Stanley Robinson (@ksrinfo) is the kindest and most decent of people, the deepest of thinkers, and the creator of some of the most fascinating worlds in science fiction. He doesn't need to prove himself at this point, but this award would underscore his brilliance.
9. Martha Wells (@marthawells1) is my favorite SF/F success story, a reminder that as long as you keep writing it's never too late to make the world notice your work. Murderbot is not only liked; it's beloved. This award would be richly deserved.
10. Gene Wolfe was and is an acknowledged grand master of the SF/F genre; I should know because as president of SFWA I had the distinct honor of naming him as one. Which only confirmed what everyone already knew. A win here would be a perfect swan song.
11. You see my point: Everyone here is deserving, and to get to call myself their peer in the category is a deep personal and professional honor in itself. I'd be happy to win. But I will not be at all disappointed to lose. I will genuinely cheer on any and all. What a group!
12. And now, as tradition, I end on a cat picture. The cat is not a finalist for the Locus Award. This year. 
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