Vote vote vote--and rec rec rec rec

[ellen_datlow]

Ok. Here's my impassioned plea/push/nag for anyone who reads this blog and is eligible to recommend stories and or novels for the various peer group science fiction, fantasy, and horror awards.
I know that some people feel that awards themselves are a bad thing and that they should all be abolished. I'm not talking to you. I don't believe that and I know I'm not going to change your minds.

Awards are NOT going to go away but they could become less visible (which I think is a bad thing). As an editor I really appreciate it when the stories/books I edit make final award ballots and win awards. And I think most writers are even more appreciative of this. It gives a sense of validation for what you're doing by your peers (for the Nebula and Stoker).

Right now is "award rec season" and there are discussions on both the SFWA Bulletin Board and the HWA Bulletin Board about how their respective awards are dying --not enough members are recommending works to even make a preliminary ballot.

Now some people think that this might be because no one likes the work being published.
Others that no one is reading enough short fiction to be interested in recommending works in those categories.
I have a really difficult time believing the first reason. I've been reading sf/f/h short fiction for twenty five years and have found no drop off in quality in any of those fields.

I can't answer for the second but I hope it's not true because if so my profession will die and I love editing short fiction.

If you care at ALL for the genre short story then I urge you to recommend the stories that you think are worth bringing to the attention of your peers.

This is totally off the cuff and I know if I thought about it more I'd have more to write--but I'd also probably just delete the whole post...

Comments welcome!

Comments

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Ellery Queen Mystery Mag and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Mag.

Black Static hasn't been out in a few years--I'm awaiting the first issue (I've always found excellent horror in TTA and very much look forward to its new incarnation.
Strange Horizons and Chizine sends me the dark fiction printouts late in the year. I've been reading Helix and also Caitlin Kiernan's Sirenia Digest (private email with fiction in it--monthly), Hub. I regularly read Apex (it's on the list). I don't even remember what Abyss is...
Nope, I don't cover Ideomancer. If someone would like to point out if there's any horror on it, I'll take a look.


I put out calls throughout the year for magazines (and anthologies and collections) and only have the presence of mind to nag about something I don't get once or twice a year. If publishers can't be bothered with getting me their magazines on a regular basis I can only do so much. Sometimes, if I have the time, I go through my list of magazine websites (and publisher websites) to see if I've missed an issue and yet again contact the publishers.

[david-de-beer.livejournal.com]

I thought the new issue of BS (heh, somewhat unfortunate initials..) had been released?

Abyss&Apex - (not Apex Digest:) it's one word, kinda) - online mag, pubs mostly SF&F, sometimes a darker slant to some of them. It's, hmm, generally more upbeat emphasis than SH or some of the Helix stories. Maybe check out the Joseph Paul Haines, "The man behind the curtain", thought it was a good read myself, but is still fantasy.

Ideomancer don't do horror per se, although they do have it in their guidelines; sorry, forgot you only read the horror part of the YB, yes? I'd still class Ideo as mostly fantasy, somewhat moody at times, but not overly so.
Then again, maybe if you dropped them a mail and asked them to send you yearly samples of their horror work, that might help. Speaking purely for myself, I go look at them if I want something to read and have already finished with SH, Chizine and CW. Helix is also growing on me. Ideomancer is ok, but don't always appeal to me so much. Still, they do have a horror category in the guidelines.

You have heard of Noctem Aeturnus? they're supposed to launch come January, horror magazine with free subscription, issues sent pdf to your mailbox quarterly (I think, don't quote me).

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Yes, Black Static has been mailed but I haven't yet received it. Could be the UK postal strike :-)

Yes, I'll contact Ideomancer about them getting me their horror printouts.
I have heard of Abyss&Apex.. and about the forthcoming Noctem Aeturnus and I THINK I've already been in touch with them...afraid it's getting toward that time of the year that the morass of material gets a little confusing...do you know it only took me fifteen years of co-editing the YBFH for me to start making an incoming and outgoing checklist? (duh)

[livia-llewellyn.livejournal.com]

I'm curious - are you going to keep reading Subterranean Mag now that it's moved to online rather than print? (and yes, I'm asking because I do get published in it - hey, at least I'm honest :P)

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, but I wiiiish I could get printouts...Knowing Bill though, there's no way.

[livia-llewellyn.livejournal.com]

I understand - I need pages for reading, not computer screens. I use my printer at work quite a bit. All the time, actually. :)

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

It's partly that non print stories get lost in the ether...I have various pdf files marked on my computer inbox but after awhile reading lots of pdf files gets tiring...Having the pieces of paper messing up my sofa and floor makes me want to get rid of them quicker :-)

[safewrite.livejournal.com]

I regularly read Apex (it's on the list). I don't even remember what Abyss is...

*laughs* Abyss...I mean Abyss & Apex (http://www.abyssandpex.com/) is a quarterly online speculative fiction magazine. Rich Horton reviews us in Locus on occasion and Gardner gave us four honorable mentions in his last YBSF. It's about half science fiction and half fantasy, and much of it is bittersweet. Some of it is even dark.

Abyss & Apex does put a good scare into folks on occasion, despite our "no horror" request in the guidelines. A recent example is "Weepers and Ragers" by Aliette de Bodard.

I can shoot those sorts stories only (or all of our stories) over to you in print, if you wish.

Wendy S. Delmater, Managing Editor
ABYSS & APEX
http://www.abyssandpex.com/

[(Anonymous)]

Yes, please :-) That would be very helpful.'
THanks
Ellen