Date: Thu, 05 Apr 2007 14:26:56 -0400
From: "Michael Walsh" <MJW at press.jhu.edu>
To: <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Scalzi's "Sagan Diary"
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>

> twhite8 at cox.net 04/05/07 12:49 PM >>>
>Michael Walsh wrote:

>> > So how does this guy qualify for a Fanwriter Hugo nomination?
>>
>>  Vox populi, is the phrase that comes to mind ...
>>
>>  There has also been comments aboutthe utterlack of any Japanese
>>  nominations in any category, and the dearth of female nominees.
>>
>>  409 people sent in nominat ballots this year.  That's from a pool
of
>>  voters consisting of Lacon IV and Nippon members.  The final
ballot
>>  is voted on by just members of Nippon.
>>
>> > Has he done *any* fanwriting anywhere?
>>
>>  Discussion here:
>>  http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/008804.html#008804
>>
>>  PNH's comment here:
>>  http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/008804.html#178278
>
>All very sensible in a generalized sense, but not directly applicable
to
>Scalzi, who has never been an active fan.
>
>>  Scalzi's webpage: http://www.scalzi.com/whatever/ Comments on the
Fan
>>  Writer nomination: http://www.scalzi.com/whatever/005001.html
>
>None of it very much to the point, since none of the people commenting

>to Scalzi know what fandom or fanwriting *is*.  *Sigh*....

1.  More fannish types should nominate and vote.  Looking at the "Hugo
Nomination Details for 2005" here:
http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/downloads/stat-nom.pdf (I
can't seem to locate the L.A.con IV stats on their web page) 5th place
got on with 30 votes and Guy Lillian came in 6th (and therefore not on
the ballot) with 20 votes.  It was even closer with Fanzine and Fan
Artist.

The Nomination Details for Nippon should be released just after the
Hugo Awards.

2.  Educate the voters.  That I leave to others to figure out.

Oh, and there is of course abolishing the category.  But I don't think
that's likely to happen.

mjw