A Hill of Beans and the Clarke Award
Today's internet slapfight entertainment has largely revolved around Christopher Priest and autopope, two writers I admire enormously and equally. Earlier I posted a brief review of Priest's BSFA-shortlisted The Islanders, not long after the man himself had gone off the deep end about this year's entire Clarke Award shortlist and reserving probably his biggest broadside for Charlie, who has slapped right back in the best possible way. And, oh look, coverage of the spat has now migrated to the pages of The Guardian.
Priest's impressively crafted rant has actually given fandom a good day: I've seen more fans critiqueing his merciless method of delivery, either for or against, than those who've chosen to fight fire with fire and take full-frontal issue with his specific points of view, which is also fine because that's the free-speech deal on the internet (and I do personally disagree with the majority of what he says). But I've not been taking sides while enjoying this spectacle: I'll be wearing one of Charlie's Internet Puppy t-shirts for Eastercon while at the same time giving The Islanders either my first or second place vote for the BSFA 'Best Novel' Award. Today's been one more day to be proud of British fandom and what we do.
PS. Before Chris Priest is formally invited to chair the judges for next year's Clarke Award, can someone please invite him to chair the 'Not The Clarke Award' panel at Eastercon next weekend. On current form he'd deliver great value for money.