I haven't done this in a while, but something I read on a blog this afternoon triggered these questions.
For writers: How important are awards to you as a writer? Do you submit only to markets where your story will be eligible for some type of award, like the Derringers, Edgars, etc.?
For readers: As a reader, do you look for award winning stories and books to read? And are they your first choice when choosing between two stories/books?
I understand that as writers trying to climb the publishing ladder these awards can give you a boost, but can anyone point to an award they've won that's actually opened doors for them? And the doors can be speaking engagements, panels at cons, extra money in your paycheck.
I've reached the age where, yeah, awards would be proof to myself that I've gotten where I want to be, but I doubt that they'd boost my writing into a bigger arena. For those younger writers, I expect there might be a bigger boost from the attention because agents and publishing companies could see years of work to come their way. Just some thoughts that have been rolling around in my brain. How about you, any thoughts?
9 comments:
I plan on submitting some of my stories for awards this year, definitely for the Derringer. I'm assuming it opens some doors with editors at bigger pubs. But as a reader, I could care less whether a story/novel has won an award, and I don't necessarily keep up with reading the nominees.
BEAT to a PULP has been fortunate, thanks to top writing, to be nominated and win many of these awards over the last couple of years. I appreciate this recognition as an editor.
As a writer, I submit stories to sites that I like and really don't consider whether they have won awards or not.
As a reader, I consider award lists as a resource, a way to find out about books i might not know about otherwise. Particularly for short story collections which traditionally don't get as much buzz around bookstores, don't get featured as much on the display shelves. But, i won't purchase just because something won such n such award. To me, it's just a lead. Then i check out the book(s) and decide if it is something i want to purchase/read.
I'm not sure how many doors the Derringer would open, Chris, as it is a smaller award when compared to something like the Edgars or the Shamus awards.
I hadn't thought about the effect an award would make on a zine or magazine, David, but I can see where it would help raise the zine's visability.
They do bring attention to books, Frank, but I wonder how many readers are even aware of the different genre awards. The Literary awards seem to get all the publicity, maybe because there's a big cash payout with some of those awards.
Yeah, maybe open doors is the wrong way of looking about it--just something good to put on a cover letter that might provide a frame for the editor to consider your work more seriously before they read it. Though perhaps editors don't pay attention to that sort of thing.
I can't answer the first question, simply because my output doesn't even come close for qualifying (maybe in 5 or ten years), but as for the second, awards don't influence whether or not I'll read a particular book.
The jacket blurb (both inside and out) will determine whether or not I decide to read further.
While awards are good, to me it seems that there are an overabundance of awards that one can win as an individual. Maybe by cutting down on the quantity it will improve the quality, and make the winning of them that more impressive.
I think for most editors it's the story, Chris, unless your name will bring in the readers.
I like the variety of awards in the mystery genre, G, because each of them points out the best in each of the subgenres.
What interesting questions.
I submit to markets that I would actually read within my genre, which is to say - horror. When I was younger, I was convinced it was all about getting paid, but there are so precious few markets paying anything I decided to go for *reputable* and *consistently publishing*.
Call me a snob, but I don't submit to e-zines. I want a print edition in my hand. I want something I can sign. I read digital editions, but I buy magazines. I'm old-school, I know.
Because I was choosy in the beginning, it's paying off now. A number of credits to my name and I've spoken on panels at a rather large convention in MN.
In the end though, I submit to magazines and publications that I would want to read. If the stories in previous issues aren't very good, or he quality is suspect, I'd think twice. I want to make sure they're publishing stories that would put me in the company of people I'd want to be associated with. What's the word of mouth, how are the reviews?
I'm not knocking awards, but it would be like unknown actor focusing solely on directors that have won Emmys. Awards raise the bar for them, too, and it gets harder to be seen by someone just starting out.
Where I want to be is consistently working in writing and the only way I can do that is to consistently produce good writing and put my name out there, develop a following.
(My, that was rambly for Butt O'Crack in the morning. Sorry about that.)
Rambly is good, MontiLee. Like you, I enjoy holding my stories in my hand, but I've come to love the zines. There is so much great writing to be found on the web. Not all zines are created equal, of course, but many of them are getting noticed by editors and publishers and the company on the virtual pages is pretty great at times.
For the mystery writers the zines are a must because there's only a handful of print markets and if you want your work noticed, the zines are the way to go, especially for beginners.
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