Misinterpretation

[kevin_standlee]

One of the comments on the Fan Writer Hugo Controversy croggled me sufficiently that I want to quote it here. I'm not meaning to pick on the writer, who comments here and is a BASFA member, but this one sort of surprised me:

...my reading of the WSFS constitution's section on the Hugo awards, taken in its entirety, leads me to believe the purpose of the Fan Writer award is to recognize non-professional sci-fi writers.

Wow. What I'm wondering if this is a widespread opinion -- that "Fan Writer" is taken by a significant number of people as "non-professional, fan-written science fiction." Of course, it's not -- "Fan" doesn't mean "Amateur" in our field; it means "enthusiast," which is not the same thing, and that's why one can be a fan and a pro simultaneously. Nor is "Fan Writer" intended as a category aimed at recognizing "fan fiction." Fan writing is writing about science fiction, fantasy, and fandom. All of the people nominated in that category (and everyone who has been nominated in that category in my memory) have been nominated for their writing about the field, not because of any fiction they've written.

Comments

Fan Versus Pro: Fight!

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

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.)