[News]

News: Marva Dasef's TALES OF A TEXAS BOY is available on the front page of this forum's website, http://z7.zentao7.com/

[Remember, an editor is neither your nor your story's clean-up committee. We don't come on rolls; we aren't white, soft, and easily flushed.]

After all the fuss Womblin and I have just visited upon ourselves with "The Million Writers Award" this last weekend, mostly due to this contest not having the forethought to send out notices to online literary magazines a few months (or at least weeks) prior to the contest's date of opening for nominations, I sit in irritable consternation.

I do not like awards and contests where one author's work is pitted against another's, weighed like so much coin. How, I ask you, does one weigh intrinsic value?  More, how does one compare the significant worth of one story, one style, one voice, one perspective, against another and another and another?  How does one weigh a story of desire and intrigue against another which examines a future possibility against yet another which explores a child's hope against another which delivers significant perspective of a world event against another which...?

One reason which I embraced the venture called The Deepening is that it permits me, without thought for the limitations of paper publishing, to accept any and all stories which, regardless of voice and style and genre, I feel merit publication.

Merit. Worth. Value.

I cannot compare stories just as I cannot compare children, deciding which can and should receive accolade, when all, each for their own uniqueness and individual expression, deserve just recognition for their contribution. Neither can I avoid comparison, however -- not when it is foisted in my face, demanding me to pontificate. Why? Authors require recognition, and it is not enough for them, the lowly recognition of one or even several editorial voices.  No.  Not even MANY.  Each time there is possibility of qualifying for an award, then authors desire editors to nominate them their stories.  But how to choose?  I cannot...yet, under duress, I did.  And I hated every moment of it, because it wasn't my heart, it wasn't my knowledge, it wasn't equitable, for I cannot weigh one story's worth against another when each has its own brilliance and significance, be it to bring tears, laughter, a new perspective to an old problem, or... . Should I not nominate, however, I am looked upon as lazy, uncaring, and, worst, shirking of my responsibilities to the authors I hold in esteem by virtue of my having accepted their properties for publication.

Yet I do object.  Yes. By all means, let us laud, applaud, award, and hold on high our authors, but not by weighing their work, one against another in inequitable and impossible comparison.  Instead, let us raise them all a toast and more -- sustenance by an appreciative world -- strictly on the merits of their work as measured by its effect, its contribution, to the world of literature at large.

zentao, editor-in-chief, The Deepening

Thank you, zen, for those words.  I can't imagine what it must have been like to pick through all those wonderful stories to nominate a few.  I know writers have fragile egos at times, and struggling-to-become-known writers probably more so.  Being nominated by one's editor is an honor, and winning the contest from said nomination also an honor, but sometimes we have to take stock of our own worth.  Sometimes (often times) we writers need to just say, "There.  I wrote it and  I like it." and be happy with that.  Perhaps, that is where it begins.  For why should someone else love your creation if you do not?

Ahhh, I think I'm just babbling here, getting all philosophical and mushy.  Anyway, don't feel bad over having to choose, zen.  You did what needed to be done, and that's that.  And so we move on.

[Remember, an editor is neither your nor your story's clean-up committee. We don't come on rolls; we aren't white, soft, and easily flushed.]

I don't feel bad.  I feel very angry.  I avoid contests and awards.  To me, they are unconscionable.

Well, I initially thought that each editor could nominate three stories, and, as we have four editors, this could have meant that all of our free 2006 fiction would be nominated. Authors could nominate themselves, too, though, and that to me makes this award special, along with the REASON for the award in the first place -- to promote fiction reading on-line. Just look at what a person is agreeing to do when nominating a story...they are agreeing to spread the word about the winning stories. By doing this, they are promoting on-line fiction. Should a The Deepening story/ies get in the top ten, it will promote the on-line reading of our magazine.

It is just so very wrong for literature to be excluded from the major literary prizes purely because it is published on the Internet.

I too love each and every The Deepening story -- each is a bespoke creation, and 'worth' just as much in authorial/reader emotional investment as the next -- but I do have my favourites. Sorry.

Womblin.

 

[Remember, an editor is neither your nor your story's clean-up committee. We don't come on rolls; we aren't white, soft, and easily flushed.]

Well, womblin, I think the underlying motive for this Million Writers contest is excellent.  But I abhor this weight and measures system which reduces everything by means of subjectivity and palate preferences to some common denominator which is, by its very method, inequitable.  That is my standing and only complaint with contests and awards.

I understand, I really do. I just leap at anything that might help get our authors read. Jus' tryin' to spread the wurd.

Womblin.

[to make it clear I am not commenting specifically on the Million Dollar Award.]

I will so get my head chopped off for this...but what the hell...to make it clear I am not commenting specifically on the Million Dollar Award. Indeed never heard of it until I saw an email from TD hit my system.

totally completely disagree...I think awards, contests, competition - are not only valuable - they are an essential  part of human nature and certainly can be used and seen in a very positive light.

If you walk into a book store and have just enough money to buy one book - you are forced to choose which book. That is a contest of sorts. Someone wins someone  looses. The Pulitzer is a contest. The Nobel is a contest. Actually most anything we do in life is a contest and a competition of sorts. They may not be "fair" in a pristine, ideal world. They may force judges to choose between good and good. They may even really screw up. Makes no difference.

In the literary world if an award or contest is "legitimate" (forget the scams) then it does serve a purpose. Lots will loose (count me in that batch) some lucky people will win. And those who do win now have a much better chance to move on. And yes the losers are just where they were beforehand.

There is no other way especially with the amount of stuff "out there" to weed through it at times. Simply no other way. And here is where I really get my head cut off by Zen and the crew.

As editors of TD you also deal with a contest of sorts. Do you not? Some get rejections some get accepted. But as editors you took on a responsibility (I think) that demands that you do make a choice in such cases. Sure you would love to submit ALL 12 stories. Who wouldn't? And in a pristine, pure and rarefied atmosphere perhaps that is how it should be. But since this is a real world where one deals with "limitations" once you have TD and are devoted to its goals - you too must choose. All the time. It is part of the job description. Moaning about it won't help. (Waiting for the ax to fall!)

Now, I have never won a literary contest in my life and never came close. So you cannot say "Oh he won so he can talk." I have always, consistently been on the loosing side.

BUT if one of your authors just happens to even get an honorable mention in such a prize, that helps the author that helps TD and most importantly that helps every single author who ever published at TD as well. Because it brings ever-more people, and better quality...

So competition has its positive points in literature as well. And you dear editors, are stuck.

Which brings a huge cruel, evil, cynical smile to my face.

[helps]

Ted, lol, you're disagreeing with Zen, not me. Anything that helps TD is good, IMHO.

Womblin.

Yep I am.... But I am scared of all of you guys! So I hedge my bets.....

ROAR! Scared of ME?!

Thanks, Ted, you've put a smile on my face that will last the day.

Womblin.

[not]

I've been a contestant. I've been a nominee.  I've been a loser.  I've been a winner.  I've been a judge.  I've even created, coordinated, produced, and determined criteria. 

The very worst thing that can happen to a quality "contest" is when an inordinant number of entries are considered to be "top flight".  This is especially troublesome when only one can win.  So we create levels, and divisions, and flights, and rounds.  The idea of the best entry-type competitions, regardless of type, is to not only "get" the best, but to give light to as much of the best as can be found. The ability to consistently do this (Nobel, Pulitzer, etc.) gives honor not only to the recipients, but to those who create, promote, and maintain the contests. A pulitzer, or a Nobel Prize sitting on the mantel is not something to be lightly dismissed.  such a bauble makes a statement with no words required. 

It also, for the very best, provides a benchmark of excellence which, if the keepers of the contest's honor do their job, is a worthy aim for anyone who would seek the acclaim, honor, and recognition such an accomplishment attests. Politics can (not always do) come into play.  Individual peccidilloes can create an uneven playing field on occasion. But, over the whole history of such events (and there are many of them for our craft), there is a generally-agreed level of honor which rises above the individual.  To be included in that august group is, I contend, an honor--regardless of the circumstance.

I believe such endeavors not only lift the overall quality of the product and producers thereof, but also of the consuming public.  How would we be able to recognize trash if there were no shining diamonds with which to compare all others?  It keeps us, the craft, and our public honest.  Well, at least it keeps us a bit more honest, like it or not.

I believe this is a purpose which serves us all well. It is not the only way. It is one efficient and successfully proven way.

I have to agree with, Zen. My mind flits to Sharks in Formaldehyde. Paintings of dirty knickers and random piles of house bricks. Someone must have voted them into the galleries - I would choose

not

to have my work judged in a contest by people that I don't know and tastes in reading may not appeal to me. I couldn't possibly judge a s/f piece fairly, however brilliantly it was written. I believe the reward, is not in winning a contest, but in how many people consistantly click a button to read your work.
My little rant for the day 

m.

ps
not to say Womblin's motives weren't excellent!

[Remember, an editor is neither your nor your story's clean-up committee. We don't come on rolls; we aren't white, soft, and easily flushed.]

Yes, competition IS, in fact, the province of all things living. It is inherent in all systems, man-made or natural world.  But, to ask one individual -- me -- to choose one story above all others I find worthy (I chose them in the first place, didn't I?) of preeminence creates for me an impossible dilemma.  Tell me, even were I to go through and pull only the stories I find to be exemplary literary works, were I to place them side by side, then be told by some authority bent upon cleaning Earth's literary house, "You may choose only three.  All the rest must be forever destroyed," how could I choose?  Each has its own savor and merit.  That is my conundrum.

I would that a contest could be designed in accordance to my ethical viewpoint, but I have no idea how to go about that.

I understand your conundrum.

That's why Judging Sheets are a page long.  There's plenty of room for constructive criticism, praise, and encouragement.  I have even put softly-voiced invitations to take up new pursuits (Yes, I really have!) on them.

Perhaps that's why I look for more in a rejection.  But, I am not a person yet in that particular position. Now you know just one reason why!

It comes with the job. That's why they pay ya the big bucks, after all. If it is a mind-numbing problem, I would say there is a better way running loose somewhere in your grey matter just waiting to be  captured and made reality. There is nothing that says someone cannot come up with a more equitable solution that serves. I got faith in ya!

[Remember, an editor is neither your nor your story's clean-up committee. We don't come on rolls; we aren't white, soft, and easily flushed.]

*chuckling...laughing...now guffawing*  A solution from my pus?  Really?!  *rolls eyes*  Surely you jest!