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Preditors, Editors and Readers

14 January 2010 9 Comments

So another Preditors & Editors Reader’s Poll has come and gone (or will be gone shortly, as it ended at midnight 01/14/10). I saw a lot of snarking about the awards because of the dubious possibilities of ballot-stuffing, self-nomination and ‘who has got who’s back’ for vote trading.

Guess what? For some of us, it’s not whether we win or even come into the top ten (much as I like the nifty banners P&E does up) it’s new readers, new friends and best of all – new markets – that we find while perusing the ballot lists. Maybe they’re not for everyone, but I’ve personally added a handful of sci-fi/fantasy novels, horror novels and magazines (print and electronic) that I’ve added to my TBR lists. I’ve checked out authors in the list, marking blogs to read. I’ve checked out the other artists and publishers, making note of those I liked the look of for future reference.

Why do I enjoy the P&E polls, besides the fun of participating? The NEW voices and faces of speculative fiction. And I know it’s not just me, because TNBP has picked up new readers, a handful of which have let me know they enjoy the ‘zine, most of whom came from the E-romance arena and possibly wouldn’t have found TNBP otherwise.

To me, that’s a successful poll.

;) – yes, I would like to win or place in the cover art category, ‘zine category, or editor category… but new readers, I mean come on! That’s why we do this thing day in and day out – the readers.

Speaking of reading, head over to Louise Bohmer’s Esoteric Writing and check out my guest blog!

9 Comments »

  • Natalie L. Sin said:

    I would LOVE to make a top ten some day : ) More importantly, I want Necrotic Tissue to crush Cherubbubble!

    # 14 January 2010 at 11:43 pm
  • Ms. Heather aka ScribbleQueen said:

    Well said. Interesting experience. And a new one for me.

    :P Hopefully a few of my acquaintances wandered over to NB at my indiscreet prompting because that’s where I sent them, along with the admonition “Read now. Vote later!” LOL

    Wow. I’m tired. Shouldn’t be commenting when the tired brainfartiness kicks in, but hey, if this doesn’t make sense, you can kick my butt later. HAHAHA.

    Nighters.

    # 15 January 2010 at 1:45 am
  • Louise said:

    Well said, sweetie! ;-)

    # 15 January 2010 at 5:29 am
  • Zoe said:

    Well I never showed up on the ballot, so I’d just like to say, “Booooo! It’s all a popularity contest!”

    *runs away*

    # 15 January 2010 at 8:33 am
  • Cate Gardner said:

    Who needs to make it into the top ten… I’m still glowing from the fact anyone voted for me at all. :D

    # 15 January 2010 at 9:22 am
  • R. Scott McCoy said:

    I agree about gaining readers and finding out about new, interesting markets. Like oh, I don;t know, what would be a good example?? I got it. Cherububble. I never knew they existed until last year, and look at all the fun it has spawned. Especially this year when we CRUSHED them. Okay, I feel better.

    Every award has a component of popularity contest in it. To deny this is silly. Some have a lot more than others, but even then, hopefully you are popular because people like the product. A lot of people voted for NT and it wasn’t because I’m such a nice guy (Greg Hall can verify that I am not a nice guy). That feels good regardless of the results (assuming we finish higher than…).

    # 15 January 2010 at 12:05 pm
  • Katey said:

    Really, stuffing ballots? Wouldn’t that kind of defeat the purpose? Wow, people are weird.

    Well, you got my vote, Jodi. And a lot of others’ I see!

    # 15 January 2010 at 2:17 pm
  • JodiLee (author) said:

    Nat – keep your eye on the standings, and don’t be surprised if you get on the lists next year. Medicine Soup is REALLY pulling in the hits!!!

    Heather – It is, isn’t it? And send more friends over…before and after brainfartiness. ;)

    Louise – Thanks, hon! *hugs*

    Zoe – You and someone else that was nom’d. That’s something that’s making me wonder about it all, because I went and nom’d someone after you’d mentioned it not sticking..and…didn’t stick. :-/ Now get back here. You shall also hit those lists hard next year!

    Mr. R.Scott, Sir – Yep, yep. Like, totally. You SO kicked their butts. mwahaha! ;) Greg Hall says you’re a pussy cat, btw. 0_o
    Not to mention, I don’t see super-fantastic hot as hell cover art on THEIR magazine. Necrotic Tissue has got it ALL goin’ on. *snap*

    (erm, I spent the day doing juvenile babble at the girl until she went away and stopped squealing about emoboybands – it’s carrying over, apologies!)

    Katey – Uhhuh. Ballot stuffing. And I saw on a couple of forums that was happening this year too, at the last minute, in regards to the cover. I know the P&E folks’ll skim ‘em down, and I appreciate the thought behind it, but once is enough. Sadly, in cases such as a hitherto unknown fiction ‘mag’ it was obvious from the start. Went from no where, to first place immediately, and held it for a long time. :-/

    # 17 January 2010 at 3:55 pm
  • Katey said:

    Wow, that’s so ridiculous. I guess I could see it for the publicity, if being known as a cheater is the kind of publicity you want. Guess there’s no such thing as bad pub though…

    Except there is, and it’s that.

    As to the cover, well two words: sour grapes.

    # 19 January 2010 at 12:27 pm