tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post5300418676965147301..comments2023-12-27T03:44:03.834+01:00Comments on Presenting Lenore: BBAW and meLenore Appelhanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664671644163369772noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-4190657798761567242009-09-27T02:45:51.986+02:002009-09-27T02:45:51.986+02:00First of all - I don't think I congratulated y...First of all - I don't think I congratulated you on being on the Most Eclectic blog short list...so congrats.<br /><br />Secondly, thanks for this post explaining the panel role in the short lists. I was also a panel judge and it was a bit overwhelming. People need to understand this was the first year BBAW used panels like this...and I am sure there will be adjustments and changes from things we all learned from doing them. <br /><br />Thirdly, anyone who would boycott this terrific event simply because their favorite blog didn't make a short list is missing the point of BBAW...it is about celebrating EVERYONE! The awards are only a very small part of the overall event. I congratulate everyone who helped Amy with putting on this HUGE event!Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14332796775305098552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-12157432382167574002009-09-15T01:32:59.509+02:002009-09-15T01:32:59.509+02:00Congrats on your shortlisting, and thanks for your...Congrats on your shortlisting, and thanks for your work volunteering on the panel.3m.michellehttp://1morechapter.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-77932907544909786682009-09-12T13:27:01.658+02:002009-09-12T13:27:01.658+02:00Lenore,
Very interesting and very similar to the ...Lenore,<br /><br />Very interesting and very similar to the approach that I used in my review of some 200 blog posts for one category. Thank you for taking the time to show us your thought process.Beth Kepharthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14236487532413398431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-66686322336446652592009-09-11T06:56:05.295+02:002009-09-11T06:56:05.295+02:00Congrats on your nomination! Well deserved.
And t...Congrats on your nomination! Well deserved.<br /><br />And thank you to all the volunteers who make BBAW a reality. :)<br /><br />Moving forward, it seems like a good way to avoid as much "uproar" in the future might be to take the great insights on the judging process that you & others have put together, and create a nice little summary for the BBAW site. Maybe for each criteria, we could give 2-3 detailed bullets and/or examples.<br /><br />That way, when folks are selecting their 5 links and they want to put the time in to make the right selections, they know where to aim. And then after the shortlists come out, there's something more concrete to point to & show that everything was applied fairly (not that it wasn't now, just that we don't have a common list to point to, y'know?).<br /><br />Anyway, just my .02!<br />KellyKellyhttp://yannabe.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-78473521027069663592009-09-11T06:47:24.657+02:002009-09-11T06:47:24.657+02:00Interesting to know how the process worked. I hon...Interesting to know how the process worked. I honestly had no idea.<br /><br />Now you have me thinking I need to change the look of my blog!! I just switched to a dark background!! I like my dark background!<br /><br />One last thing...I appreciate how gracious most bloggers are being. Either humbled by their nominations or understanding in their defeat. I also like what Beth said, Don't complain if it isn't in a respectful manner and have a solution!<br /><br />Thank you to all of the people who volunteered their time to the process!Jenn M.http://www.jennifermorrill.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-88583297345213556872009-09-11T03:29:31.729+02:002009-09-11T03:29:31.729+02:00Congrats on your nomination!Congrats on your nomination!Marie Cloutierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14938166831865436287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-58698342002125873782009-09-11T03:25:20.253+02:002009-09-11T03:25:20.253+02:00Congrats! Great post. Thank you for showcasing...Congrats! Great post. Thank you for showcasing your 5 posts, too. I very much enjoyed being a panelist for a category I'm not familiar with so I learned a lot; have a ton of new blogs to follow and many new books added to my tbr. I hope to take my voting even more seriously now that I know how much time and dedicated effort it took to tally. Here's to a wonderful BBAW. :)Carehttp://bkclubcare.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-7301702299690088312009-09-10T14:24:14.590+02:002009-09-10T14:24:14.590+02:00Congratulations on your nominations.
Thanks for t...Congratulations on your nominations.<br /><br />Thanks for the insider look at the short list process. It sounds a lot of work.<br /><br />I'm really looking forward to BBAW so thanks for helping to make it possible.Alix https://www.blogger.com/profile/04684209302932310537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-29153665349516189392009-09-10T03:43:25.607+02:002009-09-10T03:43:25.607+02:00I thank you for giving us an inside look at how mu...I thank you for giving us an inside look at how much work went into judging the blogs for the shortlist. I personally can't understand why people get all upset about this! This is just a way to express some appreciation for bloggers that really excel at certain things. I received several nominations but I knew that I would never get shortlisted. Just knowing that someone thought of me was an award for me!! At the end of the day if you are happy with your blog that is really all that matters. This is just icing on the cake!! :)Stacihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07600979915661464945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-64574923391310216212009-09-10T03:20:51.441+02:002009-09-10T03:20:51.441+02:00Congrats on being short listed! I really liked th...Congrats on being short listed! I really liked the way you explained your experiences with BBAW. I only served on one panel and that kept me very busy.<br /><br />I was thinking that including the publisher's summaries on my reviews probably cost me some points. I like to use the publisher's summaries because they are available, easy to use, and I figure why should I re-create what's already been done?<br /><br />I guess as long as this is going to be a requirement of BBAW awards criteria I probably won't have a good enough score to be short-listed. And I'm pretty much ok with that because I like the way I have my reviews set up.<br /><br />Anyway, I am really looking forward to BBAW week. Best of luck in the Most Eclectic Taste category!Alycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10919057159829023714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-40672276664214151872009-09-10T01:36:44.436+02:002009-09-10T01:36:44.436+02:00Congrats on the shortlist! It's an awesome fe...Congrats on the shortlist! It's an awesome feat no matter what category!Donna (Bites)https://www.blogger.com/profile/12585421704517898076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-15790551065167426022009-09-10T01:34:43.716+02:002009-09-10T01:34:43.716+02:00I was on 2 panels and I judged the same way. I wa...I was on 2 panels and I judged the same way. I was actually surprised at who was shortlisted for both of mine, as they weren't the ones I'd most expected. Honestly, it's not surprising that people are unhappy with the shortlists. There are too many amazing blogs. Everyone seems to be complaining that their favorite blogs didn't make it, but even if they had all submitted fantastic posts, there wouldn't have been space. As it is, I feel the process is fair.<br /><br />I also knew I wouldn't be shortlisted as soon as I saw the judging criteria. The posts I'd picked didn't match particularly well!Meghanhttp://chikune.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-23766111809994910402009-09-09T22:25:41.065+02:002009-09-09T22:25:41.065+02:00Congratulations on making the shortlist! I will be...Congratulations on making the shortlist! I will be glad to see your blog's name when I cast my vote.Zibileehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05857638467064749190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-10228436898277003852009-09-09T22:04:47.290+02:002009-09-09T22:04:47.290+02:00congratulations on shortlisting "most eclecti...congratulations on shortlisting "most eclectic," Lenore!<br /><br />Your reflection on the panel/judging process is very similar to my experience. 2 panels, about 80 blogs each, with 5 posts each ... almost 800 posts!<br /><br />I discovered a lot of new-to-me blogs that I've since added to my "must read" list (many of these didn't make the shortlist, but just getting nominated put them on my radar).<br /><br />Your suggestion of making suggestions for improvements is a good one. I wonder if there's a debriefing committee to "strike while the iron is hot" (late Oct/Nov?) to round up volunteers to look at some of the suggestions for improvements that might be made in 2010.<br /><br />Many thanks to you, all the bloggers, readers, panelists, chairs, and Amy for making BBAW possible.Dawn @ sheIsTooFondOfBookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09285873722005594325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-6047295302877287312009-09-09T21:44:50.304+02:002009-09-09T21:44:50.304+02:00Florinda- There are definitely folks who blog A+ m...Florinda- There are definitely folks who blog A+ material all the time. But if some people's last 5 posts were memes they were at a disadvantage I think. I guess I'm saying that the ones complaining don't know what the judges were seeing. They might think so-and-so's blog rocks but it had to show in those 5 posts. It's also a case of you got to play to win so pick carefully, you know, if you want to.Chrisbookaramahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11972547663609480210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-17357454003604340972009-09-09T19:13:13.552+02:002009-09-09T19:13:13.552+02:00Congrats on making the shortlist. Well deserved.
...Congrats on making the shortlist. Well deserved.<br /><br />I was on one panel, and I had to read and score more than 400 posts. I took the job very seriously and looked at each blog like I'd never seen them before. And many were new-to-me blogs. It was a very intensive process, and while I can see several areas where improvements need to be made for the future, overall I think it was fair and we did our best.<br /><br />--Anna<br /><a href="http://diaryofaneccentric.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Diary of an Eccentric</a>Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08046635675540466183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-23812870167152241312009-09-09T19:00:28.717+02:002009-09-09T19:00:28.717+02:00Like you, I served on three panels and chaired one...Like you, I served on three panels and chaired one. My methods for judging the blogs were very similar to yours as well.<br /><br />I was longlisted for four awards and didn't make the shortlists for any of them. I didn't expect to, and I wasn't surprised. Three of the four required me to submit links. I had a similar epiphany as I was applying the scoring criteria to the blogs I was judging - the posts I submitted weren't likely to get me the best scores. However, it was a learning experience - and a BIG nudge to do some re-design work on my blog :-).<br /><br />Re: Chris' comment - Blogs that were judged on their last 5 posts may not have submitted links; the panel chair had to go to the blog to get them. Some of those blogs may have been at a disadvantage in the judging, but I saw some others that weren't hurt by it.<br /><br />Great post, Lenore, and congrats on your nomination!Florindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09789402061034734894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-38745181316864428792009-09-09T18:56:43.634+02:002009-09-09T18:56:43.634+02:00Wow! Well, first of all -- CONGRATS to you on bei...Wow! Well, first of all -- CONGRATS to you on being shortlisted! <br /><br />Second, I didn't realize there was such an uproar about the shortlists. It really surprises me because the book blogging community (at least the YA one) is so accepting and supportive of each other. It seems very out of character. There are so many amazing blogs out there for every category, I can't imagine the task of narrowing it down to a list of 5 to vote on. THANKS to all the panelists who helped out and all the time you spent.<br /><br />I'm sure that there are things that can be changed about the process, but I think the bones of it (open nominations, nominators submitting posts that represent the category for evaluation, and a blind panel scoring those posts) is a pretty good system. The YA panelists are probably not YA bloggers, so they don't have any pre-set opinions about which blogs they like or don't like. That helps to eliminate the "popularity" contest. It also gives good blogs that are not as well-known a chance to be recognized. Just because a blog has 800 followers and 1000 hits a day doesn't mean that they are necessarily the best blog. Conversely, a blog with only 100 followers may be a hidden jewel that people just don't know about yet. <br /><br />If your blog didn't make the shortlist, maybe ask yourself "Why?" Maybe it just comes down to not selecting the "best" posts to represent your blog, like you said. Or maybe there are really things that can be improved?<br /><br />I'm sorry that you didn't make the shortlist for best YA (because I love and read your blog regularly). But it doesn't mean that you don't have a top-notch blog. I'm also excited to have discovered some new YA blogs from the shortlist that I'd never seen before and are quickly becoming my new favorites!SJonesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-12259614973287911792009-09-09T18:20:00.780+02:002009-09-09T18:20:00.780+02:00Very interesting post Lenore!
I love to hear from ...Very interesting post Lenore!<br />I love to hear from "the other side of the BBAW" (I being a simple blogger). I think it's sad though, that people react so strongly to the shortlists and other matters relating to the event. Yes, a LOT of work comes into it (from reading your post and some answers, being a panelist is more like taking a second full-time job!), but in the end, it's supposed to be fun and celebrate our community!<br /><br />Of course, my shorlists too would have been different in some parts, but that doesn't mean those who have been selected didn't deserve their place on there. :) That's also why I don't take it personally to not be on there. I know the competition is huge, both in quantity and quality. I think you are all doing a great job with the BBAW!kay - Infinite Shelfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08227285073921171393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-54440095443710138532009-09-09T17:32:42.168+02:002009-09-09T17:32:42.168+02:00My experience was similar. I was more of a deducto...My experience was similar. I was more of a deductor. It was also obvious to me when a blogger hadn't sent in their best links but only the last 5 posts. They'd be all memes or giveaways. I would think "I bet this poor soul has better stuff than this" but I was a stickler and only judged those posts. I'd say to anyone nominated next year: send in your own links or it's to your detriment.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07255026646819281620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-87676895001622477232009-09-09T17:30:54.597+02:002009-09-09T17:30:54.597+02:00Brimful - Thank you :)
Beth - Yeah, I read approx...Brimful - Thank you :)<br /><br />Beth - Yeah, I read approx. 900 posts overall. It's likely the criteria will change for next year based on the learnings we've taken from this year's experiment. I'm not sure whether it is a good idea to say what the criteria are beforehand or not. That might make it too easy for people to work the system.<br /><br />Janicu - I am all about transparency!<br /><br />Serena - Yes! Despite the amount of work involved, it was definitely fun and rewarding being on the panels. <br /><br />Eva - So true! Blogs are very individual and we all offer something great to the community.<br /><br />Pam - No one knows how each individual panelist scored line items except that panelist. Chairs were sent final talleys so they could average scores to figure out the winners. I can tell you that on the panel I chaired, many blogs were very, very close to shortlisting. Maybe in the future the shortlists should include any blog that reaches a certain average? It's a thought.Lenore Appelhanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16664671644163369772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-53591578677093292562009-09-09T17:27:44.089+02:002009-09-09T17:27:44.089+02:00The judges did a phenomenal amount of work.
But I...The judges did a phenomenal amount of work.<br /><br />But I do wish that the criteria and scoring being used had been publicized to those of us who were put in the position of having to submit posts. Without that guidance, no doubt what was submitted may have even made the judges work that much more difficult.Liz Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16671844475303001610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-38370312042175823832009-09-09T17:22:15.602+02:002009-09-09T17:22:15.602+02:00Congratulations on making the shortlist.Congratulations on making the shortlist.Pixiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16478375557048271104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-4488801337863556372009-09-09T17:20:30.503+02:002009-09-09T17:20:30.503+02:00I knew it would be a long and potentially tedious ...I knew it would be a long and potentially tedious process. You described it very well.<br />I hope people don't boycott BBAW because of foolishness like this. It's supposed to be about celebrating reading!<br />Found you on Twitter!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02582583925813368098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987167496142681464.post-74431460160446778532009-09-09T17:15:45.102+02:002009-09-09T17:15:45.102+02:00I've avoided commenting about the "drama&...I've avoided commenting about the "drama" around the BBAW judging process, but since I've seen post after post on the topic, I can't help but voice my opinion. And there's nothing in particular about your post, Lenore, that made me change my mind. It just happened to be the one I was reading at the time :)<br /><br />I, too, was a judge for BBAW and judged two categories. It was an incredibly time-consuming process, one that I do not regret volunteering for. In introduced me to dozens of new blogs and bloggers.<br /><br />After I finished the judging process, I took a few days "off" to recooperate. It was very disheartening after spending hours upon hours of judging blog posts to come back to the posts defaming BBAW and its organizers. <br /><br />Many are posted by those that aren't informed of the process and are making obsurd claims that they can't back up. It is my suggestion that they simply ask for clarification about the process before posting false information about the panelists and the judging process. <br /><br />Each panelist put a lot of time into reviewing and judging the blogs. We did not contact one another and attempt to influence one another's vote. We all put our personal feelings about the bloggers aside and judged based on the links that were submitted. <br /><br />To go along with others that have commented, if you have problem, offer a suggestion. Don't blast BBAW, the panelists, the committee members, or Amy. Do a little research before posting information to make sure what you are posting is indeed accurate. And remember. There were over 1,000 individual blogs nominated. Each of these blogs had to be reviewed by someone. This is a very time-intensive process, and please take the feelings of those who performed these tasks into account before publicly taiting their names and reputations.Jenn's Bookshelveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17773328322580511441noreply@blogger.com