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Ursa Majors: An Announcement
12 years ago
The Ursa Majors are open for nominating again, and for the last seven years around this time, I have posted something in this space about what I have that's eligible and encouraged you to go vote for whatever you like, whether it's mine or not. This year, I'm doing it a little differently.
I've notified the Anthropomorphic Literature and Arts Association that I am respectfully withdrawing my works from the Ursa Major Best Novel and Short Story categories this year, and for at least a few more going forward. This is not a decision I made lightly; in fact, it's one I've been thinking about since last summer. So I'll spend a little time talking about what went into it.
There is precedent in other awards for frequent winners stepping back. One of the people on the Ursa Major committee told me that in a musical award, when someone wins three years in a row, they are retired from that category by the award. That's not how the Ursas work: they have been very hands-off and admirably resistant to public opinion. When Stan Sakai won the Best Comic award multiple years running, they assured people that in time, other comics would win, and they were right. In response to my multiple wins, they have assured people that, in time, other authors will win. I have no doubt that they are correct, given the profusion of talent in the fandom. In fact, each of the last two years I have been convinced I would not win one of the two awards (perhaps neither). But I have also observed that it would probably be better for the writing scene if that day comes sooner rather than later.
Ultimately, what it comes down to is this: I've won a dozen awards over seven years. I know you guys love me and my books. :) But I'd like to help the fandom's literary scene mature, and part of that is showcasing more of the authors that are doing really good work. My name's already up there in the lists; let's see some of the other people.
In addition, this allows me to recommend other books in the fandom for you to read, other stories to look at, without being conflicted. I would really like you guys to keep reading and keep voting in the awards, because that's important to the fandom.
What this does not mean: It does not mean you should stop voting. It doesn't mean I'm stepping out of the fandom. I'm going to keep writing, keep going to conventions, keep posting to FA and answering mail and whatnot. You guys aren't going to get rid of me that easily.
You can still show your support for my books the way you always have: buy them and tell your friends about them. I still appreciate all of that, more than I can express. And since I won't have one time a year and an award prompt to tell you, I'll just have to remember to do it on my own. Honestly, if you had told me when my first book came out in 2005 that eight years later I would be voluntarily stepping down because I had won enough awards for my writing…well, I would've said, "I must get a whole lot better--and have a lot of really awesome fans." I know at least that last part is true. So thank you guys, all of you, for all your votes over the years, for all your support, and for putting me in this position. I will continue, as I always do, to strive to be worthy of it.
I've notified the Anthropomorphic Literature and Arts Association that I am respectfully withdrawing my works from the Ursa Major Best Novel and Short Story categories this year, and for at least a few more going forward. This is not a decision I made lightly; in fact, it's one I've been thinking about since last summer. So I'll spend a little time talking about what went into it.
There is precedent in other awards for frequent winners stepping back. One of the people on the Ursa Major committee told me that in a musical award, when someone wins three years in a row, they are retired from that category by the award. That's not how the Ursas work: they have been very hands-off and admirably resistant to public opinion. When Stan Sakai won the Best Comic award multiple years running, they assured people that in time, other comics would win, and they were right. In response to my multiple wins, they have assured people that, in time, other authors will win. I have no doubt that they are correct, given the profusion of talent in the fandom. In fact, each of the last two years I have been convinced I would not win one of the two awards (perhaps neither). But I have also observed that it would probably be better for the writing scene if that day comes sooner rather than later.
Ultimately, what it comes down to is this: I've won a dozen awards over seven years. I know you guys love me and my books. :) But I'd like to help the fandom's literary scene mature, and part of that is showcasing more of the authors that are doing really good work. My name's already up there in the lists; let's see some of the other people.
In addition, this allows me to recommend other books in the fandom for you to read, other stories to look at, without being conflicted. I would really like you guys to keep reading and keep voting in the awards, because that's important to the fandom.
What this does not mean: It does not mean you should stop voting. It doesn't mean I'm stepping out of the fandom. I'm going to keep writing, keep going to conventions, keep posting to FA and answering mail and whatnot. You guys aren't going to get rid of me that easily.
You can still show your support for my books the way you always have: buy them and tell your friends about them. I still appreciate all of that, more than I can express. And since I won't have one time a year and an award prompt to tell you, I'll just have to remember to do it on my own. Honestly, if you had told me when my first book came out in 2005 that eight years later I would be voluntarily stepping down because I had won enough awards for my writing…well, I would've said, "I must get a whole lot better--and have a lot of really awesome fans." I know at least that last part is true. So thank you guys, all of you, for all your votes over the years, for all your support, and for putting me in this position. I will continue, as I always do, to strive to be worthy of it.
i'll admit, your work is amazing, and you don't need another award to show it.
Congratulations and thank you on helping nurture the writing scene. :3
*hands you a cookie*
Congratulations on being TOO successful. You'll have to let me know what that feels like
Can't wait to read more of your works.
~Gilian
V.
It can be difficult when one's fame becomes more of a hinderance than a pleasure. And I DO understand your reasons. You are a pioneer that brought a lot of respectability to the furry community with great stories that sold well across furry and non-furry lines.
But now it's time for others to beable to stand up and be notices and recognised for their achievements and works. I will still vote on Ursa Major and best wishes to the next generation of winners.
Marc
I appreciate the hard work that you put into your writing, as well as the helpful advice from Unsheathed. The awards are just reminders of the time, effort, and passion that it took to write each book.
Now, good luck on that EGOT.
Also, a very deep thanks for the recommendation. As I said, that is the most precious thing you guys can give: putting your name on the line to friends to hand them my work. It means an awful lot. :)
You're a fantastic writer. This is obvious. However I know of people who have voted for you in the Ursa Majors, not because of your work itself, but because you're the name they know. They've read other pieces of your work and figure that whatever of yours that's being voted for is better than everything else without even looking at the nominees.
While it's unfortunate that you need to pull your work to let others win, I believe it's a wonderful decision that only speaks volumes to the kind of person you are. Hopefully this will get those people to actually give the other nominees a shot, and in future years, have them look at the work side by side with yours.
Though speaking of this I need to go do nominations!
I spent many years writing books in furry fandom, particularly during the times when novels weren't even on anybody's radar. You changed all that- but in so doing, you set the tone and furry fandom neither needed nor wanted anything more. You nailed the fur zeitgeist so well, you sort of became it.
I don't mind saying I gave up. (Life is very long: wanderings in the wilderness do you no harm.) I threw aside my latest furry novel, and I went off and ran with the ponies. (hard to tell, huh?) I wrote three full-length novels over the last year, increasingly well received, totalling 330K words; and I've been extremely active helping other pony writers develop their skills, and I'm presenting writing panels at Bronycon this year which ought to be fantastic. Not unreasonable as I've done nearly nine hundred thousand words of final copy, and managed to learn a little bit along the way.
Furry fandom mostly wanted more of you, and you've delivered, year after year.
I had a sneaky feeling it wasn't about me- after all, I did extraordinary amounts of editing on the Furplanet anthology 'Holidays', and got to see the raw output of fandom writers (though I only got a minor credit, and that misspelled, after huge feats of copy-editing on just about every story...)
I'll have another novel finished by Bronycon- I've got around twenty-six weeks, which is ample time- and no regrets.
If this in any way helps you feel you weren't overreacting, good. I don't think you're at all wrong. Thankfully, there are other places to go, outside strictly furry fandom. I suspect when all's said and done, it will still just want you.
And good move!
By comparison, the Foglios were gracious enough to step down after only three bites at the apple...
http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/com.....?date=20110831
Better late than never, I reckon.
Enjoy your book sales and your fan club.
Triple digit? RIGHT OUT ;) So you can see, Kyell is being gracious far in advance of the 100-win mark, which is truly a generous act.
That's not to say Ursas will become easy pickings. I have alerted my herd of stampeding ponies to the existence of Ursas. If you hear the ground rumbling, it's nothing but an undercover furry in pony guise stirring up trouble strictly for amusement purposes...
To quote a chum of mine:
My only feeling on the matter, which I raised on the Ursa newsgroup a year or two ago, was that the whole production was turning into something of a Tammany Hall production. One where, no matter how spirited the opposition, when it came time to count the votes, the result was pre-ordained.
The sheer steam-rollering that has taken place in the last few years has piled up quite a nice bundle of awards for both yourself and Sofawolf. But to what end? Your withdrawal for this year is all well and good, but I suspect that the end result will be that another Sofawolf contributor will win. In Plunkitt of Tammany Hall, the ward heeler that is the focus of the book says something to the effect of "reformers may come, reformers may go, but the machine goes on forever." Such is my opinion of the Ursas. Whether you participate or not, directly, the Ursas have become a farce.
Phil Foglio, one of the creative team behind the comic strip "Girl Genius," noted, after winning the third (note: third) Hugo in a row, something on the viability of the award in question. I commend a reading of it:
(see above link)
For me? Too little, too late. Swamp 'em, swamp 'em, get the wampum, Tammany. I look to other fields.
Sums it all up, really.
[NOTE: In case you're wondering why, if I hold the Ursas in so much contempt, I don't organize a competing awards system, well, look up the Moreau Awards sometime. I was one of the organizers, but decided to recuse myself from the field because I had become a competitor, and my sense of integrity forbade me from even a hint of conflict of interest. Try integrity sometime; it's difficult but rewarding. ]
This isn't a new phenomenon. I have stopped even considering contributing work to the Ursas for the simple reason that I wouldn't stand a chance.
What is worse is that this 'goon squad' attitude has seeped into other areas. The Hugo Awards are currently under threat; a group of misogynists who call themselves "Sad Puppies" have basically been stuffing the ballot boxes regarding nominations and voting in order to make sure that their chosen authors and works get the coveted accolade.
It's pathetic of them.
You have risen even further in my consideration! ^^
So in short, as someone who hopes one day to receive a nomination, I think this is a great example to set to your fellows in the community.