After reading about the Crime Writers of Canada (CWC) and
the Edgar Awards for several years and now becoming a blogger I decided to join
the CWC.
They have different classes of membership. As I am not a
writer of crime fiction I have joined as an associate member. The annual dues
are $86.00.
As part of the membership I get the monthly CWC newsletter, Crime
Beat.
Because of all the other commitments in my life I have not
asked to participate in any committees. I have asked for information on the
Edgar Awards.
I do not anticipate ever becoming a judge. I am not so presumptuous
as to think they would want me as a judge. Even were it possible, having looked
at the lists judges are expected to read, the process would dominate my reading
for the year. I do not want to spend all my reading time on the nominated
books. I admire those judges who will commit to all the reading required. I
have decided I am going to try to read all of the short list for Best Novel so
that I can reach my own conclusions on what is the best for the year.
I am going to try to find out how the winning choice is
made. I am not sure whether it is a straight vote of the judges or a vote after
a discussion or an effort at consensus. In the past I have never read all of books
on any short list so it is hard to say whether I agree or disagree with the
chosen book.
For our vast country the CWC has come up with a method of
joining the country together to announce the short lists for the different
categories of the Edgars. There are reveal events in Vancouver Calgary Toronto Ottawa Montreal
As one of the almost 300 members of the CWC.I hope blog
readers will drop by the website which is http://www.crimewriterscanada.com/.
Bill - That is great news! And based on your blog, I think you'd be a fine judge. Being in the CWC will be I'm sure a good experience.
ReplyDeleteI'm considering entering the next 'Unhanged Arthur' competition, but the entry date may be too far away.
ReplyDeleteI think it's nice to support these associations Bill, even for us non-writers. I am an associate member of Sisters in Crime Australia for the same reasons as you have described and would happily join the local chapter of the Crime Writers Association if it accepted such a thing (it doesn't at present).
ReplyDeleteThis year I was asked to be a judge for our local crime fiction award though and I deliberated for a while before accepting - we'll see whether it was a good idea or not :)
Good news. It will be quite interesting to see the short lists per category.
ReplyDeleteWe appreciate the inside scoop on the nominations.
Margot: Thanks for the comment. I think I have enough to do with judges in my real work life.
ReplyDeleteDr. Evangelicus: Thanks for the comment. I hope you enter. Every competition benefits from more entries.
ReplyDeleteBernadette: Thanks for the comment. I will be interested in learning if the judging process was a good experience for you.
ReplyDeleteKathy D.: Thanks for the comment. I am curious each year as to the choices for the short lists as much as the winners.
ReplyDelete