It's been pointed out to me repeatedly, especially by some from the east coast, that I cannot be considered a professional without book cover creds.
Really? I would never have used that as a criteria. If someone wants to try and redefine Best Professional Artist as Best Book Cover Artist, they're welcome to try.
Actually, the same fan/pro distinction exists in the artist categories as between Fan Writer and the written-fiction "pro" categories: you can be a professional artist and a fan artist at the same time. If your work appears in fanzines and suchlike, then you're eligible as a fan artist, even if you're also a professional artist making a living off of your art. The only distinction here is that under WSFS rules, if you were nominated for Best Professional Artist and Best Fan Artist in the same year, you'd have to pick one or the other, under the terms of the "Gaughan Amendment," passed after Jack Gaughan won both categories in 1967.
(Incidentally, some notable SMOFS have called for the repeal of the Gaughan Amendment; it's unlikely we'll see repeal introduced in Japan, but it may appear in Denver.)
Fan Versus Pro: Fight!
Actually, the same fan/pro distinction exists in the artist categories as between Fan Writer and the written-fiction "pro" categories: you can be a professional artist and a fan artist at the same time. If your work appears in fanzines and suchlike, then you're eligible as a fan artist, even if you're also a professional artist making a living off of your art. The only distinction here is that under WSFS rules, if you were nominated for Best Professional Artist and Best Fan Artist in the same year, you'd have to pick one or the other, under the terms of the "Gaughan Amendment," passed after Jack Gaughan won both categories in 1967.
(Incidentally, some notable SMOFS have called for the repeal of the Gaughan Amendment; it's unlikely we'll see repeal introduced in Japan, but it may appear in Denver.)