While it’s usually a positive event when sf awards come to the attention of the mainstream media, such is not the case with this year’s British Fantasy Awards (which we reported in this article. The Guardian reports a growing furor over this year’s awards, tainted by the fact that awards co-ordinator and British Fantasy Society chairman David J. Howe is one of the two people who run the small-press Telos Publishing, which dominated the BFA ballot.
The Guardian notes “The biggest attack on the awards was delivered by editor and anthologist Stephen Jones, who on Tuesday posted a lengthy blog decrying the organisation of the BFAs and making several allegations against awards co-ordinator and British Fantasy Society chairman David Howe.” Rather than repost at length, read Jones’ scathing commentary in this post.
Jones comments that Howe and short story and novel winner Sam Stone are partners. After the firestorm that erupted following Jones’ post (he says 99% of the comments he received were in agreement with him), Stone wrote here that “I have seen the comments made concerning my receiving the August Derleth Award for Best novel on Sunday—I repeat again I had no knowledge I was going to receive it and remind everyone that the ballot is from the BFS membership and attendees of FantasyCon. It is their votes, not a Jury or an individual, that decide who wins the awards.
“I am absolutely devastated by the comments made and the last few days have been deeply distressing for me.
“I do not wish to be seen as the winner that tore the British Fantasy Society in two. The society means too much to me and I cannot allow this controversy to taint the integrity of those involved. Therefore, I am returning the award for Best Novel.”
Following Stone’s announcement, Sarah Pinborough—who co-presented the awards with Howe—Tweeted “The best novel award shouldn’t be returned.It was won via the system. There are problems with the BFS and the system,but Sam should keep it.”
While the awards don’t appear to be the only problem with the BFS (according to Jones), they are the most public face of the controversy. Howe has not publicly commented since the convention.