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Ray's message of acceptance, sent from his home in California

It is a great honour to receive the Sir Arthur Clarke Award because it is more than an award from Sir Arthur: it is the soul of a young man named Arthur, who came to my house for lunch fifty years ago. Our friendship began when both of us were little known in the world and had only published a book or two. We were both souls giving our heart out to writing and immediately taking to one another's personality because we got on so well on that day so long ago.

This award is very nice -- it comes from Sir Arthur Clarke -- but even better, my old friend, who was so young with me and so unknown with me, so many years ago, who puts out the arms of his soul to embrace me.

I accept that embrace and his love and I thank him and all of you for this grand night and this grand award.

Ray Bradbury