reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
reviews_and_ramblings ([personal profile] reviews_and_ramblings) wrote2009-09-27 10:47 am

LGBTQ Award: Setting rules

So no one told me I'm fool, and it's already a good thing, and more or less the suggestions I received are in line with my first idea. Only one people replied that my categories are all erotica, and so they don't have books to submit: I actually went to re-read those categories, and where some of them are probably erotica (BDSM, Menages...), I don't think they are ALL erotica: Fantasy? Coming of Age? Silver Romance? are those erotica?

I don't know, I'm not much for the idea to create erotica and non erotica categories, it would be probably difficult to set a range to part what it's in one or the other. But if you think it's better, let me know. So basically, let me summarize all.

First phase: an initial round to determine the candidatures. I will create a single post for each category, I will prepopulate each category with the titles I think will fit in them or that people will submit me, plus I will leave people in the comment section to add titles for the first week. Always in the comment section, people will vote the title. The same person can vote more books in the same category (obviously they can vote more books in different categories), only please don't vote ALL the books of the category. I have faith in you that you will not cheat (BTW I will check the IP address, you can vote even if you haven't a LJ account). The voting phase will be open for 1 month. At the end of the month I will draw the first 10 in each category.

ETA: To pre-fill the categories with the books you would like to see in them, just comment here or write to me in private. It's possible to candidate the same book in more categories if you think it will fit. Next Saturday I will post a blog for each category with the already prefilled titles and the voting phase 1 will start. I will accept late candidatures for the first week, and then I will close the categories.

Second phase: a poll for each category with the final 10 titles. 2 weeks to vote and at the end of the 2 weeks, the winner for each category. At this point we already have virtual winners, 1 for each category.

Third and last phase: a selected jury of readers (or authors without eligible books in the categories they have to read) will read 3 books out of the final list and give them a vote (range from 1 to 10): I hope to have enough jurors to have a book read by 3 different persons. A month to read all the books and at the end of the month we will have the final winner.

ETA: I'm accepting volunteers for being in the jury. Please leave a comment here or contact me with a private message.

And now the categories:

Fiction
1) Contemporary
2) Fantasy
3) Futuristic
4) Historical
5) Paranormal / Horror
6) Mystery / Thriller 
7) Coming of Age / Young Adult
8) Comedy

Non Fiction
1) General Non Fiction
2) Biography / Memoir
3) History
4) Poetry
5) Travel

Special Category: New Author

All the categories are parted in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual and Queer. Please, help me in filling the categories other than G (my field), otherwise those categories will have problem to survive. For the 2009 LGBTQ Rainbow Awards I will consider ebooks or print books released between September 2008 (included) and August 2009 (Included). I'm not against the idea to consider also re-releases (maybe a previous ebook released in print, or viceversa; or a reprint of the same book from a different publisher).

At the end of the first week, we will reconsider the Categories: if a category has not enough votes or candidatures (I will set a minimum of 5 titles per categories), I will withdraw it from the competion, or at least will try to compact more categories in one.

I will save the names of all people who joined in one of the voting phase. For every voting phase there will be one (or more depending on the availability of prizes) "small" winner among the voting crow: a small award is, for example, a gift certificate from a publisher to download an ebook. At the end of all the voting phases, I will draw a reader winner of a gift basket with ebooks / gift certificates and print books donated by publishers / authors: the winner will have to directly contact the authors who donate print books (publishers and authors are totally free to choose to donate only ebooks). Please consider that, if the winner is not in the same country of the author, it's an own choice of the author to send a print book, he/she can choose to revert to an ebook. The publishers / online booksellers / review sites who already gave their disponibility are (in alphabetical order):

 

 

 

 

 

 



Please let me know if you think some of them should not be there, or if I forgot something.

Sooo: the first phase will start next week. October for candidating, November for skimming, December for selecting and January for reading the final books. First week of February the winner!

Again, I'm totally open to suggestion on all of above.

[identity profile] svilleficrecs.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 09:44 am (UTC)(link)
I might have missed this in an earlier post, but what are the cut off publication dates for this? Anything published in 2009? 08/09, or all time?

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 09:50 am (UTC)(link)
I was thinking from September 2008 to August 2009? Since I hope to start in October, people will have all September to read books and candidate them in one of more categories. Do you think it is right? Elisa

(no subject)

[identity profile] yachay.livejournal.com - 2009-09-27 10:15 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com - 2009-09-27 10:20 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com - 2009-09-30 07:36 (UTC) - Expand

[identity profile] storm-grant.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 10:48 am (UTC)(link)
Can we have a humour category?

I think it might be a theme rather than a genre, ie: humourous paranormal or humourous contemporary.

And thank you so much for doing this. Trust Elisa to do something positive when the rest of us are just... discussing it. ;-D


Edited 2009-09-27 10:49 (UTC)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 10:49 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, of course ;-) Adding just now. Elisa

(no subject)

[identity profile] storm-grant.livejournal.com - 2009-09-27 10:51 (UTC) - Expand

[identity profile] mroctober.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 10:52 am (UTC)(link)
It seems like all these categories are more apt for erotic fiction or romance. So this award ignores non-fiction? What about more literary work? It seems like only a couple Lethe titles would be apt.

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 10:57 am (UTC)(link)
Help me Steve, you know that I have a romance background. What genres - themes you think I should add. A general Non-fiction is enough? Or Do I have to add more sub-theme? And I realized that I missed the Mystery genre, right?

(no subject)

[identity profile] mroctober.livejournal.com - 2009-09-27 11:31 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com - 2009-09-27 11:36 (UTC) - Expand

[identity profile] mroctober.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 10:55 am (UTC)(link)
Also, I assume the judges will not have any involvement with other presses - or have work nominated that year. Otherwise, one could say the jury is not impartial.

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 10:59 am (UTC)(link)
The jury is still totally in developing. I was thinking more to readers (non authors or publishers), or at least non authors with an eligible book that year. I'd really be glad to have help in this matter. Elisa

(no subject)

[identity profile] yachay.livejournal.com - 2009-09-27 11:16 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com - 2009-09-27 11:22 (UTC) - Expand

[identity profile] pandorasvase.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 12:39 pm (UTC)(link)
I really like your idea, count on me for anything :)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 12:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you, I will for sure need to contact some people in the future, and I will add your name to the "helpers" ;-) Elisa
ext_7009: (Boys of Summer)

[identity profile] alex-beecroft.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 01:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Just IMO, I would think it would be better to separate erotica out from romance, because what erotica is aiming to do is different from what romance is aiming to do. If you've got a book which has stock characters and a flimsy plot that makes no sense, but the book is scorching hot, then it is good erotica, even though it's bad romance. Equally something like Charlie Cochrane's "Lessons" series is excellent romance, but scarcely erotic at all. Mixing the two things together can end up being unfair on both.

Maybe the problem of how to decide which category a book belongs in can be solved by letting the author decide whether they want to enter their book into Erotica or Romance?

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 01:22 pm (UTC)(link)
But so or I don't have theme, or I have to double all the theme for two, to allow Romance and Erotica. And then, a non Romance or Erotica novel (like a Mystery) that has a theme other than Mystery inside, can't submit? It's a drastic decision, but if I reduce the category and left basically only the genre, and then add a Romance and an Erotica genre... Could it work? Elisa

(no subject)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com - 2009-09-27 13:58 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com - 2009-09-27 15:04 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com - 2009-09-27 15:25 (UTC) - Expand

[identity profile] sacchig.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 02:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Is this supposed to be all flavors of GLBT, or just m/m?

You may have mentioned this previously, but it might be as well to stipulate that any category that gets fewer than, say, 5 (or any number of your choice) nominations will not be included.

If you think it wouldn't diminish the appeal of the gift basket, I'd be happy to offer a lesbian erotica anthology.

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 02:07 pm (UTC)(link)
No it's a LGBT Award, so lesbian fiction is more than welcome. I asked help since I'm not skilled in that field, and, at first, I was thinking to not divide Lesbian / Gay / Bisexual / Transexual. What do you think? Is it possible or it's better to duplicate all the category in three, Lesbian / Gay / Bisexual-Transexual?

And yes, if a category has not enought candidates, I will compact it in another category, if possible, or delete it (I hope not). And thank you for the offer of an anthology, I will add your name to the list of the author who will contribute to the gift basket.
Edited 2009-09-27 14:08 (UTC)

(no subject)

[identity profile] mroctober.livejournal.com - 2009-09-27 14:43 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com - 2009-09-27 14:58 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com - 2009-09-27 15:15 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com - 2009-09-27 15:14 (UTC) - Expand

[identity profile] upstart-crow.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 02:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Hi there! Just saw a link to this post (I guess I missed it yesterday). I'm glad to see another award for LGBT books out there, as I don't think at this point we can have too many :).

I would be happy to give a hard copy or PDF of my poetry memoir The Memory Palace (which is largely about coming out as bisexual in Utah), if you are looking for these. :)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 02:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, we have also a Poetry category (and also Memoir). I will be glad to list you among the author who will give a book for the gift basket, thank you. And I will list your book in the Poetry category; is it right to list it also in the Memoir category?. Elisa

(no subject)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com - 2009-09-27 15:09 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[identity profile] sacchig.livejournal.com - 2009-09-27 16:53 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com - 2009-09-27 16:58 (UTC) - Expand

[identity profile] vashtan.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 02:54 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm happy to help (posted in the wrong place) - might also be able to give prizes, depending on how things go :)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 03:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Do you want for now to be listed among the authors? Then we will see ;-) Elisa

(no subject)

[identity profile] vashtan.livejournal.com - 2009-09-27 15:23 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com - 2009-09-27 15:26 (UTC) - Expand
ext_7009: (Default)

[identity profile] alex-beecroft.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 03:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Hello again! I've got some people sounding cautionary notes on my LJ, and rather than copy messages back and forth, I thought I'd just give a link to the whole thing again.

http://alex-beecroft.livejournal.com/99884.html

To sum up so far: 1) possibly still too many categories 2) it might be a good idea to contact Jade Buchanan at the RWA Rainbow Writers group, who may be thinking of doing one of their own and 3) judging is going to need a lot of thinking about re how you keep authors unknown, and how you make sure that the judges are a good cross-section of the m/m community and not just straight female readers.

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 03:36 pm (UTC)(link)
I will reply directly to your post. Elisa

[identity profile] valarltd.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 03:45 pm (UTC)(link)
I'll be happy to donate book as prizes, e-book or print.

And I have a serious question about the blind reading part.
Writers talk. A lot. Those who know us know what we're working on, what we have out, and what's coming out.

If FALSE COLORS was nominated or THE GHOST WORE YELLOW SOCKS, how on earth would your judges NOT know who these were by?
Edited 2009-09-27 15:49 (UTC)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 03:52 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm with you in them, I don't think it's possible, or at least not in a very effective way. It would be a "everyone" knows blind read, plus probably most of the readers already read the book, more than probably if the book is really good. But we can try, maybe asking to the publishers of the final books to submit to the jury to provide a stripped pdf copy of the book.

And I will add you to the list of the authors.

Elisa

(Anonymous) 2009-09-27 04:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Rainbow Romance Writers RWA chapter for authors of GLBT romance is putting together a contest for RWA members but it's barely in the planning stage.

I'll donate any title you think readers would like from MLR Press, and all or any of mine personally.

Laura Baumbach

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 04:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you Laura, I wrote to Jade Buchanan, and if nothing / no one is strongly against the idea, we can have both.

I will add you name to the list of authors, MLR Press is already in the list of publishers ;-)

Thank you so much for your generous offer.

Elisa

[identity profile] rowenasudbury.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 04:58 pm (UTC)(link)
This is a great idea. I'm rather new to this whole genre, and I will admit I'm pretty much in the dark about "other" awards. All I know is what I've read on my friends list. Hopefully I can participate in this contest, and maybe donate a book? (my only book ;).

Thanks Elisa, this is a great idea.

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 05:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Of course you can submit your book and I will add your name to the list of authors who will donate an ebook. Elisa
ext_18153: (Default)

[identity profile] kirby-crow.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 05:55 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm up for this! Willing to donate copies too! :)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 06:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you Kirby, I will add your name to the list ;-) Elisa

[identity profile] pearly-dreams.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 09:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Found you through Alex's blog - I'm afraid I can't offer any help, but I just wanted to say that I think this is a great idea. And good luck! ^_^

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 09:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you! I need all the possible luck out there ;-) Elisa

[identity profile] isabelle-rowan.livejournal.com 2009-09-27 11:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Count me in! This is a great idea - thank you for setting it up.

I am happy to donate my book :)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-28 07:13 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you Isabelle, I will add you to the list. Elisa

[identity profile] lisamariedavis.livejournal.com 2009-09-28 12:07 am (UTC)(link)
Count me in. I'd love to submit something and I'll donate a book.

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-28 07:22 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you Lisa Marie; in a week or so I will open the candidatures, meanwhile I will add you to the list of authors who will donate a book. Elisa

[identity profile] b-sheridan.livejournal.com 2009-09-28 01:23 am (UTC)(link)
I'd be happy to donate something. :)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-28 07:23 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you Barbara! I will add you to the list. Elisa

[identity profile] alessia-brio.livejournal.com 2009-09-28 10:32 am (UTC)(link)
Elisa,

I applaud your energy! I would be happy to donate ebooks for your prizes ... and I would love to enter in the "L" category. :)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-28 10:44 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you Alessia. So I will add your name to the list of authors, and in a few I'm sending an email to ask to submit the candidature.

Elisa

A little help with genres?

(Anonymous) 2009-09-28 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
What if you have a romance or erotic romance? I would assume erotic romance plays with erotica? Does contemp romance play with contemp? Contemp erotica? Since you don't mention romance, in any form, I wondered. Thanks.

Brenna

Re: A little help with genres?

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-28 05:40 pm (UTC)(link)
> What if you have a romance or erotic romance?

A Contemporary Romance goes with Contemporary. An Erotic Contemporary Romance goes with Contemporary Erotica. Same for Historical and Paranormal. No distinction between Erotica e Non Erotica for Futuristic and Fantasy.

> I would assume erotic romance plays with erotica?

Yes

> Does contemp romance play with contemp? Contemp erotica?

Contemporary Romance play with Contemporary. If it has heavy erotic elements, with Contemporary Erotica

> Since you don't mention romance, in any form, I wondered. Thanks.

Yes, I didn't distinct Mainstream and Romance, since it's difficult to say what it's Mainstream and what it's Romance. I'm still not sure for those Erotica categories, we will see if I have enough titles, otherwise I will compact them.
elf: Another link in the chain (Linkspam)

[personal profile] elf 2009-09-28 10:55 pm (UTC)(link)
This post has been included in a Linkspam roundup.

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-29 06:56 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you. Elisa

[identity profile] evecho.com (from livejournal.com) 2009-09-29 12:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Have you considered a category for anthologies?
Travel is an interesting category - I would've thought it could easily fall into any of the others.

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-29 02:35 pm (UTC)(link)
No, for now Anthologies, if someone will candidate them, will compete with the relative category (Contemporary or Paranormal or whatsoever), or even more categories if the theme of the Anthology is multiple.

Travel was suggested but for now I don't have any candidatures for it ;-)

Elisa

[identity profile] tc-blue.livejournal.com 2009-09-29 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
I'd be happy to contribute an e-copy of one (or more) of my books, Elisa. :)

Great idea you have here, though I don't envy you the setting-up process.

Let me know if I can help. :)

~Tis

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-30 07:04 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you Tis. I'm adding you to the list of author who will donate books. And yes, it's a bit crazy, but I'm coping ;-) Elisa

[identity profile] jgraeme2007.livejournal.com 2009-09-30 06:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Elisa, I'm happy to donate ebooks from my entire backlist.

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-30 06:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you Josh, I will list you. Elisa
(deleted comment)

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-30 10:08 pm (UTC)(link)
You want both to "donate" the books than candidate them? I will do both things. For now it's not necessary to send the books, breg a leg to be in the final list, and I will ask you a copy for the jury to read. Elisa

Page 1 of 2