The deadline for nominating eligible works for the 2012 Darrell Awards is 1-1-2012. Please see our website at http://darrellawards.org for details & the Nomination Form. You do not have to submit copies of the work by that date — just the form. We will ask the authors/publishers to send us copies asap, but only the form is required.
First, the short story, novella, novel or other media work has to be nominated. This sounds simple, and anyone (including the author of the work) can nominate – yet every year we miss eligible works for lack of a nomination. Sure, if a member of the Jury finds an eligible work, that member MAY nominate it. Sadly, many eligible works are not found by us or brought to our attention. So, if you know of a work that you think may be eligible, NOMINATE IT. Forms are on the website (http://darrellawards.org/).
Second, it has to be eligible. We expanded the counties covered for the 2010 Darrell Awards to include Hardin County and SHILOH, so please check back here and on our website for what we are considering our coverage area at the time you nominate the work. A story has to be either set in the Midsouth (at least one significant scene and more than that is better) OR have been written by an author living in the Midsouth at the time it was published. It has to be Science Fiction, Fantasy or Horror prose – no poetry.
As we do not want to insult anyone’s sincerely-held religious beliefs, we are trying to draw a line between religious fiction (which is based on the author’s faith yet may have some fantastical or horrorific elements) and religious SF/F/H (which is mostly SF/F/H but may have some religious elements).
We have added a Young Adult category this year, and grandfathered in works that might otherwise have been considered last year, so look at the Nomination Form for what time frame is eligible before you nominate.
Children’s literature remains ineligible for the same reason that poetry is ineligible — there is just too much of it and none of the Jury reads it, so we are not qualified to judge it.
Third, the work should tell a good story. The Jury is composed of SF/F/H fans, folks who read and read a lot. So, if it is yet-another rehash of an old story, it needs to at least say something new or tell it in a different (and good) way.
Fourth, we all like stories that do not annoy us with typos – missing words, obviously-wrong words, and such. If your publisher does not have a good editor, find a good editor to proof your story BEFORE it is published.
Fifth, while it is not a requirement that the person who nominates send us a copy of the story, we greatly appreciate it when they (or someone) does, as we can not judge a work if we cannot find it and our budget is very limited, so we buy very few books.
Sixth, if you kill off one of the major characters in the course of your story, try not to make it one that the readers really like, unless the story requires it. Needlessly killing characters that we like tends to annoy us — it will cost you when we discuss your story.
Seventh, a strong opening to a story helps to get us hooked. A weak or vague or unsatisfying ending can undo a good bit of the enjoyment of the story. Between the opening and the ending, there needs to be a good flow. If you do not understand these things, consider taking some classes or reading some books about writing BEFORE you self-publish your Great Masterpiece.
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(This is a modified form of what originally appeared as a Discussion topic on the Darrell Awards page on Facebook. It has been edited to bring it up to date for the 2012 Darrell Awards. )
One of the biggest issues with the stories submitted for consideration for the Darrell Awards is editing. Typoes, extra commas, missing commas, bad choices of words — these things matter, especially when they distract from enjoying the story.
A strong story can sometimes overcome bad editing, but good editing gives a better base to build the story upon.
If you are going to publish your own work or use a print-on-demand publisher or any other arrangement where there is no professional editing, PLEASE do yourself a favor and pay for a professional editor to proof-read and correct your work before it goes to print or ebook form.
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(This was originally posted on the Darrell Awards page on facebook as a Discussion topic. Facebook is ending the Discussions & this is too long for a Wall post. So, it is being shared here.)
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