Won the Nebula Award for Best Short Story in 1982 for "The Bone Flute". She refused the award after learning that another writer nominated in the same category was sending out his story to the judges for consideration. Tuttle found this an unfair campaign, and also criticized that the Nebula organization was not making sure the judges were given all the nominated works for them to cast their vote. Her refusal was not acknowledged at the awards ceremony, and instead an editor picked up the award. She has been the only writer to refuse a Nebula Award.