Ebook awards in general

I'm not trying to be a curmudgeon.
I'm trying not to be a curmudgeon.
But...
Not even once in my life have I bought a book or watched a movie because it had won some sort of award.
I can't remember ever having anyone recommend to me a book or movie based on whatever awards it may have won.
They read the book or saw the film and passed on their opinions, but nobody has said, "You just gotta! It won the ThusAndSuch Award!"

In high school and college and elsewhere, I've watched the personality cliques and special interests and political expediency groups whomp up various awards and do back-patting and grip & grin routines for each other in members-only ceremonies.

Problem is, while most authors read, most readers don't write books. That means they likely have no idea whatsoever what an award is supposed to mean, how the winner was determined, or whether the 'nomination' award was purchased by an entry fee or the result of a legitimate suggestion based solely on someone having read the book.

Something else; I've seen too many rigged elections. Too many 'sure, everybody's welcome, but we already know who's going to win' contests.
They aren't all like that, but too many are.

Pay someone a fee for a cute little 'nominated' graphic a customer would have to research to understand?
Nah.
I'd rather solicit the opinions of people who paid to read my books and enjoyed them well enough to email me.
I have a page of those notes on my website.
Any one of those heartfelt little notes is worth more than any number of pretty little award graphics that only other authors understand.

So, long story short, I'd rather spend any potential contest entry fees on necessities during my next motorcycle trip to the mountains.
Or wherever I'm going this year.
Might be PA or upstate NY.
Haven't decided yet, but it'll definitely be at least 500 miles above the Florida border. :)
Ed
Ed Howdershelt - Abintra Press
Science Fiction & Semi-Fiction
http://www.AbintraPress.com



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