[Isabeau]

Apologies to those who read my earlier explanation of this matter back in September.


In the interests of stopping the latest scandal before it starts, and because I am sick unto death of the accusations of favoritism, I make the following explanation for those who have not heard it and an announcement:

Captain My Captain was nominated for a Mithril Award in 2002. At that point, my chapter count was in the high thirties/low forties.

There had been a discussion on HA a little before that about the fact that Captain was actually two stories--the first, Faramir-centric arc which consisted of chapters 1-19, and the Imrahil/Elrohir-centric arc which consisted of Chapters 20 to wherever I was at the time. I eventually had to agree with all the people who said it was two stories, and decided that when I finished the second arc, I would go back and eventually split CMC into two stories, the tentative title for the second story being The Road to Lorien.

I was contacted about what I wanted to do, and told the shortlisting committee that they could exclude it if they liked, or if they wanted to consider it, then I only wanted the first nineteen chapters judged as a discrete entity, since that was where I felt the first story had ended. I truly did not care which they did, and left the decision up to them.

The shortlist committee decided to include it. It was nominated for best characterization, original character. I think that in retrospect, if it had been shifted to best serial, we wouldn't be having all these problems. Or if it had been titled "Captain My Captain, Book One," rather than having the chapter count included. And I will say that had I had the time to re-write it as I intended, I think it would done better in the judging than it did--I got valid criticism from the judges about the unfinished nature of the story.

This was not favoritism, it was kindness--I was not personally acquainted with the shortlisting committee. I am very sorry that it has besmirched the reputation of the Mithril Awards. But the problem is easily solved.


I am removing Captain My Captain from consideration for the 2003 Mithril Awards. I will not accept its nomination to any category, including Voter's Choice. I will announce this on all the lists I am on. There. No double-dipping is possible--like anyone else, I got one shot at it for one story. Furthermore, I will not accept any nomination in 2004 for chapters 20-53 of Captain, even if I should get it properly re-written and re-titled, which would make it fall into that time frame. Any complaints about the matter after this, I will consider to be sour grapes. Needless to say, if I finish my projected third Heth story in 2004, I will consider it to be eligible for the 2004 awards, and I will accept nominations for my other works besides Captain that are in eligibility for 2003--should I be so fortunate to receive any.

Isabeau of Greenlea

[miriel361]

No matter what anyone says, it remains a brilliant story and well deserved the nomination and the award.

Kudos

[Isabeau]

[JennnLee]

I, on the other hand, will accept any and all nominations for anything I write. Vote early, vote often, true believers!

(Sorry, Isabeau, I understand exactly what you're talking about, and found your post to be eloquent and well-meant. It's just early here, and I'm irreverent before I've had my coffee...)