Quick Updates for 2011-04-30
- @Shirin_Dubbin @jayewells If you look at sub-genres, no category dominates the Nebula awards. UF is part of Fantasy. #
- @JeannieHolmes @StaciaKane @jayewells Clearly we are using dif. defs of urban fantasy. "American Gods" is UF but not paranormal romance. #
- @jayewells @JeannieHolmes @StaciaKane Which is what? #
- @jayewells I didn't see what your big question was? #
- @StaciaKane @jayewells @JeannieHolmes Not at all. I'm aware that the definition is shifting & wanted to be sure we were clear on terms. #
- @StaciaKane @jayewells @JeannieHolmes Also, this is @MaryRobinette manning the feed now. #
- @StaciaKane @jayewells @JeannieHolmes Is that how you see the dif? I don't think writer or MC gender matters in defining subgenres. #
- @jayewells @StaciaKane @JeannieHolmes Well, that's a bullshit idea. Of course you're writing fantasy. #
- @jayewells @StaciaKane @JeannieHolmes But RWA has a UF specific award & UF has won the Nebula before. #
- @jayewells @StaciaKane @JeannieHolmes Very little interesting fiction fits into one category. #
- @sblackmoore @jayewells @StaciaKane @JeannieHolmes SFWA doesn't. If there's ANY speculative element, it's our type of fiction. #
- @dianarowland @Jayewells @staciakane Sorry. I was thinking of RT Reviews. #
- @StaciaKane @jayewells @JeannieHolmes Having a separate award seems like it would reinforce the idea that UF is something else. #
- @JeannieHolmes @StaciaKane @jayewells Urban fantasy is fiction set mostly in or around a city with fantastic elements. Usually contemporary. #
- @jayewells @StaciaKane @JeannieHolmes Most fiction is lots of something elses. What element makes UF not count as fantasy in your mind? #
- @StaciaKane @JeannieHolmes @jayewells Less and less, thank heavens. Look at the gender breakdown of the awards this year. #
- @dianarowland @StaciaKane @JeannieHolmes But there's also historical UF & secondary world UF. Also contemp fantasy that's not urban. #
- @dianarowland @StaciaKane @JeannieHolmes This is what I meant about the definition of UF shifting. I'm using Ellen Datlow's defintion. #
- @jayewells @StaciaKane @JeannieHolmes "The Ghost Brigades" is Hard SF. It's also a romance. Containing more than 1 genre isn't unique to UF. #
- @DevonMonk @staciakane @dianarowland @jayewells @JeannieHolmes There were 2 UF works on the Nebs last year. #
- @jimnduncan You could argue that it is. However, since genres exist primarily as a selling tool, it would be cleaner to say steampunk. #
- @DevonMonk @StaciaKane @dianarowland @jayewells @JeannieHolmes I do not understand this desire to put UF in a ghetto of its own. #
- @JeannieHolmes @DevonMonk @StaciaKane @dianarowland @jayewells But almost all fiction blends genre. Seriously. Not unique to UF. #
- @JeannieHolmes @DevonMonk @StaciaKane @dianarowland @jayewells I don't think UF blends genres more than any other spec fic. #
- @Jess_Haines I'll just point out again that last year the Nebs had 2 UF on the ballot. #
- @StaciaKane @DevonMonk @dianarowland @jayewells @JeannieHolmes Really? There's ONE standard that all UF should be judged on? #
- @FabulaUrbanus @StaciaKane @jayewells @jeannieholmes YES. So true. Genres are a useful marketing tool. #
- @jayewells But, understand, that we don't single out any sub-genre for awards. #
- @StaciaKane I'm– I'm confused. Are you angry because SFWA doesn't have a UF specific award? #
- @jimnduncan The members nominate works, then vote on them. #
- @StaciaKane Let me ask more specifically, because I'm still confused What requests/subgenres are you saying I just refused to consider? #
- @StaciaKane The way to get UF on the Nebula ballot is to point to the good stuff so that people who don't read it know where to look. #
- @jimnduncan @jayewells @JeannieHolmes @StaciaKane @katrchrdsn Except that the Nebula ballot had UF on it last year & this year. #
- @StaciaKane And, representing the organization, I'm trying to figure out what specifically causes you to feel excluded. #
- @dianarowland That would be great. #
- @StaciaKane In the forums, you can bump and point to eligible fiction. Blog about it. Email colleagues and point it out. #
- @StaciaKane You should hear the hard SF writers talk about how the Nebula always goes to fantasy… #
- @dianarowland And the point I'm trying to make is that if you drill down to "like mine" there are no similarities between nominees. #
- By the way, if you are interested in running for office next year, contact @LAGilman. SFWA is only as strong as its members. #
- @jayewells Hurrah! That is excellent news. Welcome back. #
