Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2006 18:42:25 -0500
From: Ted White <twhite8 at cox.net>
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: 2006 Hugo & Campbell Awards Nominees
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>

Michael Walsh wrote:

> > kfl at KeithLynch.net 3/22/2006 10:12:04 PM >>> In the
> > rec.arts.sf.fandom newsgroup, James Nicoll noted that (Capclave
> > GOH) Patrick Nielsen Hayden was the editor for three of the five
> > Hugo- nominated novels, but inexplicably wasn't nominated for best
> > editor.
>
>  Two thoughts...
>
>  First, looking at the Oscars, lots of films win many awards but not
>  Best Picture.
>
>  Second, lack of knowledge.  Granted Tor, in general, will list the
>  editor on the copyright page.  But not everyone looks there.  Plus,
>  many of the voters are still, I believe, thinking Editor = Magazine
>  Editor.
>
>  Assuming the Editor Hugo split is ratified at LACon we may see more
>  awareness of the book editors, especially since they will have an
>  opportunity to actually win a rocket.

Although it's getting harder to tell, the responsibilities and duties of
a magazine editor are very different from those of a book editor.  It's
like comparing two "farmers," one of whom raises cattle or sheep, and
the other has acres of wheat and corn.  They both live on farms with, no
doubt, barns, but their tasks and duties are vastly different.

A good magazine editor sees his/her magazine in four dimensions,
understanding how the current issue relates both to those previous and
those to come.  He/she will be dealing primarily with short fiction,
with the occasional novel thrown in.  And the editor *ought* to
establish a personality for the magazine with which its readers can
identify.  (None of the current prozine editors understand this.)

A good book editor deals with each book (unless it's part of a series)
as a unique, stand-alone entity, but will have a monthly or annual
schedule of books to be published.  He/she will be dealing primarily
with novels (ever longer), with the occasional anthology or story
collection thrown in.  And the editor will be, for all practical
purposes, anonymous (as well some of them *should* be).  Very few book
editors stamp their own personality on a line of books.

So, apples and oranges.  Comparing them for Hugo purposes is both
frustrating and meaningless.

--Ted White