tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36271824.post8393010822717408778..comments2024-03-25T10:22:04.995-07:00Comments on Ed Gorman's blog: No women?Ed Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06126267358266480356noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36271824.post-88165835251434897132009-11-10T14:21:29.467-08:002009-11-10T14:21:29.467-08:00There was a HUGE flamewar in the SF/Fantasy field ...There was a HUGE flamewar in the SF/Fantasy field recently when a major anthology was released without including any women writers. <br /><br />Speaking for myself I think in that case the outrage was justified. But I agree Top Ten lists are often SO subjective they can't be taken seriously...or literally.Kenneth Mark Hooverhttp://kennethmarkhoover.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36271824.post-47522497975990916772009-11-07T12:33:31.817-08:002009-11-07T12:33:31.817-08:00I agree with you 100% Ed, when you say "who g...I agree with you 100% Ed, when you say "who gives a rat's ass" about Top 10 lists. One pitfall of deliberately adding women authors to the list simply to placate the PC police is that then every supposed "victim" group will clamor for inclusion.<br /><br />And of course, since there are more than ten officially-sanctioned victim groups, the list will have to be expanded to twenty or even thirty, in order to include transgender Pacific Islanders, physically challenged left-handed Muslims, vegetarian veterinarian Siamese twins, and...no, no, I can't go on!Mike Dennishttp://mikedennisnoir.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36271824.post-13109589258278414752009-11-07T10:54:45.733-08:002009-11-07T10:54:45.733-08:00I'm always happy to see a friend get a nominat...I'm always happy to see a friend get a nomination and/or an award but I put as much stock in the validity of the entire process of any award as I do in the government, the Easter Bunny and/or the management of my beloved new york state buffalo bills (or the Patriots' several championships prior to coach cheaterface getting caught in spygate). Even statisical awards have to be looked at twice (i.e., baseball vs. juice) ... I just finished reading the last of the Highsmith Ripley novels (and was slightly disappointed at the end) but it was nice to see she had won an Edgar at some point-not sure which book, but I suspect The Talented Mr. Ripley). I can understand women being pissed at the political incorrectness of zero nominations but then again how valid would a nomination be if it were based on such correctness?<br /><br />About as valid as the all male selections and/or the entire process anyway ... so forgetaboutit.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02048863180022859080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36271824.post-27318399511915922712009-11-06T20:15:25.171-08:002009-11-06T20:15:25.171-08:00And, indeed, economy of language can be attractive...And, indeed, economy of language can be attractive (hello, Sr. Borges)...but someone dancing around with the language, such as Avram Davidson or Margaret Atwood in certain moods or that Joyce character, can also be great fun. To say the least. I'm not too sure we can be sure of objectivity in this, so much as a shared subjectivity that makes certain things feel right, at least for a good portion of us. And I believe there are those who would indeed put certain Wheeler works in select company...I was pleased that my first published story was cited among a hundred or so Pretty Darned Good in one of the annuals.<br /><br />And I'll echo both you and Deb on that Fine Buddy of yours. Favors we can live w/o.<br /><br />PW's folks were simply haunted by the shade of Noram Mailer or something. Mens does writes goods, though.Todd Masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815516018079824802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36271824.post-76664272778640144202009-11-06T18:28:53.839-08:002009-11-06T18:28:53.839-08:00Jeez, that was some "friend"!Jeez, that was some "friend"!Debnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36271824.post-63051348193478322172009-11-06T15:49:04.511-08:002009-11-06T15:49:04.511-08:00None of my sixty-some novels ever made a top ten o...None of my sixty-some novels ever made a top ten or top twenty or top fifty list, and I doubt that any deserved to. <br /><br />I do feel there are underlying objective criteria that point toward excellence. Economy of language or movement of the story, for example. But what seems to affect judges the most is simply fashion. Whatever is in fashion gets the nod. Fashion is mysterious but powerful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com