"SF Grandmaster"

[iansales]

Why not include writers such as EE Doc Smith or Edmond Hamilton or Edgar Rice Burroughs? They were popular in their day, they had careers that lasted over several decades, and they wrote many books and/or short stories.

The same criteria also apply to James Blish and Philip Jose Farmer. And Harry Harrison. Or even EC Tubb.

Does anyone who made a living for more than a decade as a science fiction writer qualify as a Grand Master?

 

[GOLLUM]

Just by way of an update.......

SFWA Grandmasters:

Anne McCaffrey 2005
Harlan Ellison 2006

 

[gully_foyle]

Why not include writers such as EE Doc Smith or Edmond Hamilton or Edgar Rice Burroughs? They were popular in their day, they had careers that lasted over several decades, and they wrote many books and/or short stories.

The same criteria also apply to James Blish and Philip Jose Farmer. And Harry Harrison. Or even EC Tubb.

Does anyone who made a living for more than a decade as a science fiction writer qualify as a Grand Master?

Agreed.

 

[iansales]

Sort of devalues it, then, if longevity is the only criteria. You would hope that Grand Master status would be a recognition of services rendered to the genre. Writing potboilers for 20 years is hardly doing science fiction a service....

 

[gully_foyle]

Also agreed. A grandmaster is one who has made significant contributions to the genre. I have quite a few favourite authors who I wouldn't nominate as grandmasters, not yet anyway. Often the recognition is posthumous because the impact of an author's work may not be obvious at the time he is producing it. I think PK Dick is a good example of this.

 

[Connavar]

Yeah they should give it posthumous to people like PK Dick. Its stupid they give it only to living people when its a Grandmaster award. So what just caue you are alive doesnt make you greater.

Also other great writers that died before the award was created should get thier due too.

 

[2DaveWixon]

what about H G Wells or George Orwell, both of them wrote very famous science fiction books

Well, the reason they're not named as "Grandmasters" is because the SFWA (which elects the members of that elite group) restricts itself to honoring people who are still alive (as of the time of the choosing). Wells and Orwell, of course, both died well before the award came along. Verne, same.
I suppose one might argue with the rules SFWA set for itself; but it is, after all, their award -- and it was intended, I think, to honor the best AMONG THEIR GROUP!

(As I recall, there was a story that SFWA leaders, upon learning that Alfie Bester was failing badly, rushed through a election so that Alfie could be so honored before it was too late...)

Dave Wixon