This doesn’t bother so much:
After receiving lots of feedback from fans, readers and industry alike, we at the DGLA have – after much deliberation – come to the decision to make the David Gemmell Legend Award completely publicly voted.
This means that once the Longlist closes, the top 5 novels will be put forward to the Shortlist Poll and YOU will be able to have the final say about who should win, by voting once more on the shortlist! Readers and fans will be involved at every step to produce our winner.
This bothers immensely:
We are confident that Fantasy readers are passionate and well-informed about the genre and, will select the novel that they have found to be both the most exciting read, and a truly deserving representative of the sheer quality and skill of the Fantasy genre and its authors.
So, okay, they want to leave the results entirely in the public’s hands. We’ve already had our discussion about the merits (or non) of that, so I’ll leave that alone. But the second half of the announcement isn’t much to my liking. Notice the absolute absence of any reference to Mr. Gemmell. Not only would this have been the appropriate place to restate the name of the man in whose honor this award originates, it would have been correct to reiterate the intent of the award.
Even the main page of the DGLA site has been tweaked. “The DGLA will be presented for the very first time in 2009 for the best Fantasy novel of 2008. The award will be given to a work written in the ‘spirit’ of the late, great David Gemmell, a true Master of Heroic Fantasy.” Second sentences in definitions tend to disappear over time, especially when all that would be necessary to improve the first is one word – ‘Heroic.’ I would argue that it would be both nicer and (hopefully) more accurate to simply say “The DGLA will be presented for the very first time in 2009 for the best Heroic Fantasy novel written in the ‘spirit’ of the late David Gemmell published in 2008.”
I’ll admit to not being so well read on many of these titles, but in reviewing the list and noting those titles I am aware of, reading this apparent redirection of the intent of the award, and now learning all will be determined by the public, this award has lost the shine it initially held for me. A popularity contest with muddled intent and absent minders will not find the 2008 work that best reflects Mr. Gemmell’s contributions to the heroic fantasy genre. I’m afraid we don’t have to wait till June to learn what many of us feared: Snaga’s edge has already dulled.
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My concerns, exactly.
Let’s protest!
I concur. There were maybe four authors on the list who I felt were appropriate. The rest I didn’t think were appropriate or I had never heard of them (not that that’s the authors’ fault).
While the libertarian in me says “Power to the people!”, the elitist in me says “People are stupid!”
I think they are trying to achieve two things that really can’t be the same thing. Popularity contests/polls say one thing and are meaningful in that regard. Industry awards chosen by experts in the field (and I’ll grant you that they may be stupid as well but at least there has been some vetting process) say another thing.
At the very least, though, have the experts (and explain how those experts are defined and found) limit the list to only those books that fit the ‘heroic fantasy in the spirt of David Gemmell’ mold. Once that is ensured, any voting after that point – no matter if even only popularity-based – results in a ‘winning’ title. Win-win in my opinion; versus this potentially and probably lose-lose outcome we’ll be getting.
Well, anything we can do (up to and including violent insurgency) to prevent Terry Goodkind from ever winning is wholly supported by me.
I’m with you there Jeff. I don’t normally like to bash people, but have you read Goodkind’s website? Holy dyna is he arrogant.
http://www.prophets-inc.com/communicate/q_and_a.html
TG:
After I finished WIZARD’S FIRST RULE I wrote to the best agent in the country. My query letter aroused his curiosity and he asked to see the manuscript. He thought it was the most remarkable manuscript of the decade and at once accepted me as a client. He showed the manuscript to three publishers. They all wanted the book. WIZARD’S FIRST RULE sold at auction to Tor for a record price that still stands. That was ten weeks after I had written ‘the end.’
There’s more, but I don’t want to make you sick.
I agree, the merit of the award is now in question. A pre-requisite for voting should be to have read all the books being voted on…I have a feeling this will rarely be the case.
NGD- I’ve said for years that there’s a separate circle in Hell where all you do is read Terry Goodkind. Wizard’s First Rule quickly became as unreadable as Eragon but he’s a grown up and should have known better. As for the arrogance… just look at his promo photo. Gag me!
BB- You’ve hit upon it. Who knows what the public has or hasn’t read? At least ‘experts’ can have some expectations of honesty.
Admittedly, I voted for an author, even though I have yet to read the book. There are a bunch of UK books in the list that sound good “The Painted Man” being one of them.
I voted, just so everyone’s aware that I haven’t shirked my literary or genre duty
Sadly the short list will come down to the ‘usual suspects’ and will have little to do with Gemmell’s legacy of heroic fantasy. Nevertheless, I voted.
Hi guys – Debbie here – Awards Administrator for the DGLA. Sorry for peeking in but I’ve just been Googling around the net to gauge response so far (as you do!) I haven’t actually answered any other debate but I wanted to answer here partly because Von Darkmoor has been such a great supporter of the Award thus far (thanks!) and partly because I don’t want any of DGs fans to think we are moving the focus away from DG and Heroic Fantasy as someone suggested. Nope – catagorically not! DG was a friend and mentor to me in my own career and the main impetus for those of us who set up the Award was and still is, as a tribute to a great author and a great man.
I understand the concerns re the popular vote – believe me when I say we did not take the decision without a LOT of debate. But you know what – it’s our first year & we are learning as we go! [Baptism of fire, anyone?!] I actually agree that our criteria has not been strictly adhered to by some of the publishers – but we let the majority through to the Longlist for this year (apart from the far-future post-apocalyptic SF and the vampire detectived – DOH!)because we want and NEED the publishers on-side from the off. To make the Award a success, we do have to think pragmatically and commercially. Next year though, we WILL be turning the screws and tightening our criteria to ensure the books are THE (Traditional, Heroic, Epic) and with strong themes as in Gemmell’s classic works. This will include a ‘screening panel’ for which I may be seeking volunteers
So please stick with us – we need the fans or it WILL be meaningless. David was all about the fans. Oh, and if it’s any encouragement, have some faith – I think you’ll be very pleasently impressed by the way the Shortlist is shaping up… “Usual suspects” – hmmm, not really! Seems genre fans know their stuff (Can’t say any more or Stan will shoot me!)
The poll is currently at almost 2000 votes.
Best wishes
Debbie
Thanks for stopping by Debbie! I fully appreciate the read, let alone the comments. I am very glad to hear your stance on the Snaga and your commitment to carrying on the quest to honor DG-style Heroic Fantasy – may you never leave the DGLA committe
You do make a strong point regarding obtaining the recognition and involvement of the big houses. Without them from the get-go, you would have faced a tough battle for recognition. So kudos for working so hard to obtain their willingness to even submit books, let alone the quantity that they have. With this understanding, I can look more kindly upon the long list, but I will definitely be happier once that ‘screening panel’ becomes an established part of the process.
Never fear, we will stick with you. There are several heroic fantasy adventure fans who read my humble blog, support RBE, and hang out at SFReader.com. Feel free to stop in here or at SFReader if you ever wonder how you’re doing – we’ll be keeping tabs, for this DGLA impacts much of our writing and reading and hopes for heroic fiction.
Excellent news on both the number of votes and their apparent direction. If I may, how many votes did the committe predict, or hope for?
Welcome to 2009 – may it be of benefit for us all!
Thanks for the thoughtful response, Debbie. As a long time fan of DG I can only hope for the best with this inaugural award. You have definitely peaked my interest with your comments, and I applaud your commitment. I look forward to the shortlist.
Thanks guys.
We had no idea how many votes we might get – it was somewhat nerve-wracking when the poll went ‘live’ – when we reached 200 in the first couple of hours I was pretty chuffed. People were messaging me on Boxing Day asking what time the poll was going to open – such keeness was reassuring that people do care.
We are doing everything technically possible to safeguard against repeat voters, so 2000 votes is just superb!I would be very, very happy with 5000 by the time the Longlist closes, but we’ll have to wait and see…
Many thanks again for your support.
Debbie
PS: By the way – I don’t know if you’re aware, but our Chairman, Stan Nicholls was Nominated by his publisher for his latest Orcs novel – but he took his name off the list, because he was so keen to help establish the Award and he didn’t want any conflict of interest etc. I think that’s terrifc integrity right there – sure DG would have approved!
Orcs? Hmm. That was the feature selection on my latest SFBC mailout. Looks like an interesting read. Kudos to Stan for removing his name.
Yes, I did read that on his page at the DGLA ning, and was happily proud of him and his association with the award.
Reminds me . . . did the committee ever happen to receive an email I sent in early December about having a Mini-Snaga Award for short fiction? I was pushing my Return of the Sword, of course, but Rage of the Behemoth will be available next year . . .
Yes – sorry, I haven’t got back to you on this – my email is unbelievable at the moment! It’s certainly something we might consider in the future, but for now, we have to keep it simple…
In the meantime, it’s a possibility for Wonderlands maybe? As you know, we have a lot of pros and semi-pros on Wonderlands – including Editors and publishers. A competition might bring people to industry attention… hmmm… will have to mull it over. Certainly not till after the DGLA though (June) as you can imagine, that is taking most of my time at the moment! (As well as trying to write my own novels!)
I totally agree with you Debbie. Only I left ‘simple’ behind so long ago, I doubt I’d recognize it anymore. I’ve joined Wonderlands but haven’t even had the time to look around much or open the door and put a welcome mat out yet.
By the by, could I email you on the side – I’ve something I’d like to run past you if possible – you can email me at blog @ jasonmwaltz.com – thank you!