Awards and contests are funny things. I’m not sure what purpose they serve. Do they help sell books? Or do they just make the recipient feel good? Well, they sure are fantastically good for this little black duck - or at least her ducky little ego. I feel all warm and fuzzy and stroked. But for all our sakes, I thought I’d bundle up a few of them and get the crowing over and done with in one fell swoop. (I have no idea why I’m waxing ornithological.)
The Ellora’s Cave editors have a wonderful blog called Redlines and Deadlines, particularly good for aspiring writers. Yesterday, they posted their favourite thirteen fantasy novels - and guess what? TAILSPIN was there. Yay! I thought it was pretty damn cool, but when I checked the other twelve, I just about swallowed my tongue. Tolkien??? LKH??? Marion Zimmer Bradley???
And me? Huh?
But I’m okay, I can cope. 
*fluffs hair*
And of course, you already know TAILSPIN is also a finalist in the Passionate Plume Awards. Because I trumpeted about it all over the place.
And then, Nina Pierce, one of the wonderful PI CyberCircuit authors, bestowed a Blogging with a Purpose award on this blog. I’m not sure Under and Over actually has a Purpose with a capital P. My 
theory is that it’s primarily to keep me entertained. It’s reassuring to know I’m not the only one whose mind works in weird and mysterious ways! I like to talk with like-minded people about the things that interest me. So if this blog helps you in any way - with company, or entertainment, or information, or laughter, or even a lust object or two - well, that’s just nifty!
I guess every blog out there is a community in its own way, and with its own purpose. So know you’re welcome to invite all your friends and relations. Well, hell, anyone really. The more the merrier!
I’m curious. Do awards and contests play any part in your reading choices or your book-buying habits? I have to admit, they do with me. I’ll often go check out some award winner. But after that, I still have to like what I see. A lot. Remember me? The Picky Bitch? 
Don’t forget - every month there’s a chance to win everything droolworthy - Tim Tams and hunkalicious postcards - including Mr Gorgeous . Check the Current Contest page and keep the comments coming!
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What lofty company your Tailspin is in now! Congratulations, Denise. Such wonderful news, and so deserved. I haven’t read it as often or had it as long as I have Tolkein so I don’t know if the story or characters have the same longevity, but so far so good. It has the feel of a classic. How can those gorgeous wings (and naughty tails) not go down in history as true art?
I saw that Redlines and Deadlines list and did a little skip and a jump… I get really excited whenever I see tailspin because it’s my favorite of your books.
As for contests, sometimes contests will get my to the author, but then I make a judgment for myself. I have to read sample chapters or summaries and like them before I’ll make a buy.
Who doesn’t love a pat on the back for a job well done? Totally agree about every award that Tailspin gathers, it is very deserving. I would say my book buying habits aren’t really influenced by awards in general, though awards showing up on a book page will definitely catch my eye, the same way a good review would. I take in all that, as well as a great excerpt/storyline as I make my book buying decision.
It’s awesome news that Tailspin’s on the list with all those other fine books. It’s an excellent story, so congrats to you on making the list.
As far as awards go, well, it’s great for the authors to receive them beceause I think it helps them to realize that they are really doing a fantastic job. I don’t always go after the award winning books, but that’s just me. Not to say that I don’t look at them because I do, but if they don’t interest me then I won’t read them. I’m probably just as picky as you are when it comes to books. They have to be well written and keep me interested; otherwise I won’t finish the book (and sometimes won’t pick up another book by that author).
Congrats Denise. I enjoyed Tailspind tremendously (well, you know that, I’ve told you several times) and the list wow, but, without wanting to be insulting to anyone, it seems a bit an uneven list. I mean I enjoy my LKH - in small doses and particularly the earlier books: but Nightseer? Good concept but so many journeyman mistakes. I have to say, ducking in case you chuck a few nasties my way, my favourite book from that list is Tigana. Made me cry buckets. First time I ever read a bad guy who was thoroughly evil, but where the author made me understand him and love him a little bit too. Quite an achievement in my opinion. (Still loved the feathers and tails and the boys etc.).
On contests, sorry, no contest will get me to read a book. There has to be something else motivating me: exciting cover (sue me, I’m shallow), good excerpt, and so many other little things.
Tailspin is better than Tolkein (or is that blasphemy?) My problem with the Hobbit & other books is that any time I have to learn a new language to read a book I give up. In fact I stopped reading fantasy entirely back in the mid to late 80’s because everyone at that time was making up whole languages that required constant referral to the glossary to make heads or tails. (I think the authors were trying to out to the Hobbit, et all.)
Anyway paranormal romances led me back to reading “mainstream” fantasy and much to my enjoyment I’ve found that there a lot of great books out there I missed. I truthfully wondered when I read Tailspin which well-known fantasy author was dabbling in erotic romance with a pen-name. Honest to goodnes Denise, you “world building” is wonderful and even better yet, you don’t overwhelm the book with details of how the fantasy world “works” that aren’t necessary to the story. It is all very natural feeling. (There will that get me one of those wonderful sounding Tim-Tams? 
)
Contests? I’m always looking for new authors and this is a great way to find them. No, I won’t buy if the book doesn’t interest me at all but I have been known to take a chance and buy an award winning books that I wasn’t quite sure about just because it did win a well known award. I have never been disappointed with a book I selected that way.
Gosh, Elaine. True art? Watch me curtsy - veeeery carefully… Whoops!
Thanks for dancing for me, Jen.
And yes, I guess a contest or award can only put the author’s name in front of a potential reader. After that, they have to “prove” themselves.
Cathy, you are so right. The “pat on the back” thing is validation, and it’s priceless. I think almost all authors are neurotic, especially me. Also anxious, especially me. *sigh*
Looks like awards etc, do come into the book buying decision, but just as one factor among a number.
Thanks, Dani. You’re a great support.
Of course, regardless of awards and so on, a book has to appeal. We know that everyone brings their personal baggage when they read, one reader’s keeper is another’s throw-at-the-wall. Just as well, really!
Once again we agree, Susan. I was more than a bit bemused by the list. How could they leave out Anne McCaffrey and Mercedes Lackey, for instance? Let alone Barbara Hambly, my all time favourite. I’ll check out Tigana.
You see? There’s another factor - word of mouth. There’s nothing more powerful, IMO.
Oh, Jenny, you darling! I’m laughing out loud over the laptop here! Generations of critics are either rolling in their graves or rolling their eyes. Poor Tolkien, done in by a girly erotic romance!
But see, it was an individual personal thing, as it is for all readers. Tolkien (and those others) made you work harder than you wanted to. You were reading for different reasons, I suspect - flat-out entertainment being among them.
As for the world-building, I just describe what’s in front of me. Also, because darling Mirry wrote his Encyclopedia, I have a built-in way of feeding little bits of information without making them indigestible chunks. A Cunning Plan, Master.
Was good of him, wasn’t it?
I love Merry, Jan and Fledge! That said , awards don’t make a difference as to whether or not I read a book, but I am thrilled when a book I love gets recognition, I want to get up and dance and I’m sure the author does too!
You got that right, Meg! Validation is really good for the soul.
Congrats Denise!!!
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