I’m sure people think I’m a snob. I kind of am, but when I’m walking across a dealer’s room floor at a convention, I keep my focus straight ahead, maintain a purposeful stride, and above all, avoid eye contact. If one of the vendors catches you in a moment of weakness, they’re likely to put the pinch on you. Please buy my book. Please take a look at the crafts I spent minutes of my time creating.
One time I stopped moving to talk to a friend and found myself right next to the HWA booth. It went something like this:
“Hi, we’re with the Horror Writer’s Association!”
“Hi.’
“Have you considered joining our organization?”
Ugh. “I’m not a writer.”
My friend: “Yes he is!” (Gee, thanks)
“Whether you are a writer or not, there are various tiers. You could be an Affiliate Member!”
(Rapidly losing patience) “What’s in it for me?”
“Well, you can be a part of the largest writer’s organization in the world!”
“What’s in it for me?”
“You can show support to the genre.”
“What exactly do you do for members?”
“Um, well, we provide support…”
“There’s nothing in it for me.”
I don't wish to be so rudely dismissive, but they bothered me first. No one likes a pushy salesperson. Pushly salespeople don’t like pushy salespersons.
It’s not like I have to have rewards for things I do. We’ve spent thousands of dollars helping local feral cats with no compensation. We put a Little Free Library in our front yard, at no small cost to ourselves. Horror Drive-In Books has given hundreds of free books to children at shows, with no motive other than to help future literacy and to make kids happy. I’ve given out countless books to people, desiring only to share my love of favorite writers and their work.
It’s not about being a cheapskate. I simply don’t like organizations. I am not a joiner.
After all, what is in it for members? I’m on the outside looking inside, but it seems like not much other than the prestige of being a member of the HWA.
Whenever people get together, give themselves titles, and hand out awards, things quickly turn into bullshit. It’s nothing new.
I’m in a book club and one of last year’s choices was Clive Barker’s debut novel, The Damnation Game. It’s not only one of the finest first novels the field has ever seen, it’s one of the very best books.
I was positive The Damnation Game won Best First Novel in 1987. How could it not? I wanted to make sure before I discussed the book, but when I checked I saw the winner of Best First Novel went to…The Manse, by Lisa Cantrell.
I’m sure Lisa is a fine person, but The Manse is a routine little horror novel. I didn’t even finish reading it. How it beat the Barker novel, which is a masterpiece, is beyond my comprehension.
Surely it’s a matter of taste, right? My treasure is your trash, but I made a point of telling people about it, and every single individual was incredulous. The Manse beat The Damnation Game? What kind of inner politics were behind that decision?
Recent allegations against the HWA are far worse than disgruntlement about a winner. If they are true, or even half true, the Horror Writer’s Association is a hotbed of contradiction and corruption.
I’m such a cynic. I think if any organization grows to significant size, corruption is inevitable. It’s everywhere.
I believe most started out with honorable intentions. It’s like Don Winslow’s novel, The Force. It’s a story of the fall from grace of a NYC policeman. His life is in ruins and he is an utter disgrace. How did it happen? One step at a time. First a tiny compromise of ethics. No big deal. Then comes another, and another. It’s so gradual he doesn’t even realize he’s become one of the bad guys.
This does not absolve them from facing the consequences of unethical or illegal behavior.
I don’t know how much truth is in the accusations. Is some of it nitpicking from people without all the facts, or with no real knowledge of how a large organization works?
I honestly think the field has grown too large for one organization to represent it. By all appearances the HWA needs to be shot and put out of everyone’s misery.
All that said, I am sure there are decent people in the HWA trying to do the right things. I've known some of them. It’s just gotten too big, too out of control, too unmanageable. At least it seems that way from my view.
The one thing they do right is Stokercon, but memberships are expensive. I’ve only been to one, and it was a good time. The event was well-run and everything went smoothly, but not everyone can afford it in these desperate times.
Please forgive a small plug. Scares That Care is the one charity I trust. Its annual writer’s event is Authorcon. Authorcon is for everyone: writers, publishers, artists, agents, and fans. Deals are brokered there and business contacts are made, but Authorcon is a celebration of the craft of writing.
I’ve never missed an Authorcon and it’s always a warm, fun gathering. People put aside their differences there and get along. No hanky-panky or monkey business is tolerated. Sexual harassment, hostility, and bullying are dealt with swiftly and decisively. Thankfully, there doesn’t seem to be very much of that sort of thing at Authorcon. Good people create a healthy environment for everyone.
Will the HWA survive this crisis? Should it be retired as a noble endeavor that ultimately failed? Regardless of what happens, it won’t affect me here in my quiet little corner of the field.
Written by Mark Sieber
One time I stopped moving to talk to a friend and found myself right next to the HWA booth. It went something like this:
“Hi, we’re with the Horror Writer’s Association!”
“Hi.’
“Have you considered joining our organization?”
Ugh. “I’m not a writer.”
My friend: “Yes he is!” (Gee, thanks)
“Whether you are a writer or not, there are various tiers. You could be an Affiliate Member!”
(Rapidly losing patience) “What’s in it for me?”
“Well, you can be a part of the largest writer’s organization in the world!”
“What’s in it for me?”
“You can show support to the genre.”
“What exactly do you do for members?”
“Um, well, we provide support…”
“There’s nothing in it for me.”
I don't wish to be so rudely dismissive, but they bothered me first. No one likes a pushy salesperson. Pushly salespeople don’t like pushy salespersons.
It’s not like I have to have rewards for things I do. We’ve spent thousands of dollars helping local feral cats with no compensation. We put a Little Free Library in our front yard, at no small cost to ourselves. Horror Drive-In Books has given hundreds of free books to children at shows, with no motive other than to help future literacy and to make kids happy. I’ve given out countless books to people, desiring only to share my love of favorite writers and their work.
It’s not about being a cheapskate. I simply don’t like organizations. I am not a joiner.
After all, what is in it for members? I’m on the outside looking inside, but it seems like not much other than the prestige of being a member of the HWA.
Whenever people get together, give themselves titles, and hand out awards, things quickly turn into bullshit. It’s nothing new.
I’m in a book club and one of last year’s choices was Clive Barker’s debut novel, The Damnation Game. It’s not only one of the finest first novels the field has ever seen, it’s one of the very best books.
I was positive The Damnation Game won Best First Novel in 1987. How could it not? I wanted to make sure before I discussed the book, but when I checked I saw the winner of Best First Novel went to…The Manse, by Lisa Cantrell.
I’m sure Lisa is a fine person, but The Manse is a routine little horror novel. I didn’t even finish reading it. How it beat the Barker novel, which is a masterpiece, is beyond my comprehension.
Surely it’s a matter of taste, right? My treasure is your trash, but I made a point of telling people about it, and every single individual was incredulous. The Manse beat The Damnation Game? What kind of inner politics were behind that decision?
Recent allegations against the HWA are far worse than disgruntlement about a winner. If they are true, or even half true, the Horror Writer’s Association is a hotbed of contradiction and corruption.
I’m such a cynic. I think if any organization grows to significant size, corruption is inevitable. It’s everywhere.
I believe most started out with honorable intentions. It’s like Don Winslow’s novel, The Force. It’s a story of the fall from grace of a NYC policeman. His life is in ruins and he is an utter disgrace. How did it happen? One step at a time. First a tiny compromise of ethics. No big deal. Then comes another, and another. It’s so gradual he doesn’t even realize he’s become one of the bad guys.
This does not absolve them from facing the consequences of unethical or illegal behavior.
I don’t know how much truth is in the accusations. Is some of it nitpicking from people without all the facts, or with no real knowledge of how a large organization works?
I honestly think the field has grown too large for one organization to represent it. By all appearances the HWA needs to be shot and put out of everyone’s misery.
All that said, I am sure there are decent people in the HWA trying to do the right things. I've known some of them. It’s just gotten too big, too out of control, too unmanageable. At least it seems that way from my view.
The one thing they do right is Stokercon, but memberships are expensive. I’ve only been to one, and it was a good time. The event was well-run and everything went smoothly, but not everyone can afford it in these desperate times.
Please forgive a small plug. Scares That Care is the one charity I trust. Its annual writer’s event is Authorcon. Authorcon is for everyone: writers, publishers, artists, agents, and fans. Deals are brokered there and business contacts are made, but Authorcon is a celebration of the craft of writing.
I’ve never missed an Authorcon and it’s always a warm, fun gathering. People put aside their differences there and get along. No hanky-panky or monkey business is tolerated. Sexual harassment, hostility, and bullying are dealt with swiftly and decisively. Thankfully, there doesn’t seem to be very much of that sort of thing at Authorcon. Good people create a healthy environment for everyone.
Will the HWA survive this crisis? Should it be retired as a noble endeavor that ultimately failed? Regardless of what happens, it won’t affect me here in my quiet little corner of the field.
Written by Mark Sieber
The author does not allow comments to this entry
No comments