Comments on: Why Reporters and Journalists Should Not Participate In The Beer Journalism Awards… http://www.beerscribe.com/2008/07/29/why-reporters-and-journalists-should-not-participate-in-the-beer-journalism-awards/ Dedicated to the art, complexity, and business of beer... Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:23:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Andy http://www.beerscribe.com/2008/07/29/why-reporters-and-journalists-should-not-participate-in-the-beer-journalism-awards/comment-page-1/#comment-301 Andy Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:30:21 +0000 http://www.beerscribe.com/2008/07/29/why-reporters-and-journalists-should-not-participate-in-the-beer-journalism-awards/#comment-301 Hi Lucy and thanks for participating. While I agree with most everything you've offered here, I'm still a bit unclear as to where you stand on the Beer Journalism Awards. I'm curious to hear your thoughts. Best, Andy Hi Lucy and thanks for participating. While I agree with most everything you’ve offered here, I’m still a bit unclear as to where you stand on the Beer Journalism Awards. I’m curious to hear your thoughts.

Best,

Andy

]]> By: Lucy http://www.beerscribe.com/2008/07/29/why-reporters-and-journalists-should-not-participate-in-the-beer-journalism-awards/comment-page-1/#comment-300 Lucy Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:10:28 +0000 http://www.beerscribe.com/2008/07/29/why-reporters-and-journalists-should-not-participate-in-the-beer-journalism-awards/#comment-300 It's a lot of work to run a writing competition - I've volunteered as a judge for several including the old NAGBW and IACP Bert Greene awards. The entries must be sent to judges anonymously, copied to remove any distinctive logos, and the roster of judges had to include culinary professionals as well as journalism school academics for balance. No one closely affiliated with the subject could judge due to potential bias - so a collection of recipes penned by a small chocolatier could not be judged by someone who worked for Hersheys. Also, it's very clear when reading 30+ articles which ones are written by someone at a small paper or magazine, without the time or resources to spend months or more researching a topic. It’s a lot of work to run a writing competition – I’ve volunteered as a judge for several including the old NAGBW and IACP Bert Greene awards. The entries must be sent to judges anonymously, copied to remove any distinctive logos, and the roster of judges had to include culinary professionals as well as journalism school academics for balance. No one closely affiliated with the subject could judge due to potential bias – so a collection of recipes penned by a small chocolatier could not be judged by someone who worked for Hersheys. Also, it’s very clear when reading 30+ articles which ones are written by someone at a small paper or magazine, without the time or resources to spend months or more researching a topic.

]]> By: Andy http://www.beerscribe.com/2008/07/29/why-reporters-and-journalists-should-not-participate-in-the-beer-journalism-awards/comment-page-1/#comment-292 Andy Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:08:44 +0000 http://www.beerscribe.com/2008/07/29/why-reporters-and-journalists-should-not-participate-in-the-beer-journalism-awards/#comment-292 Pretty much misses the entire point of the article but thanks for playing along Bob. I certainly don't decry beer journalists, including book authors such as you and I, the opportunity to have their work celebrated and their efforts recognized. The BJA is just the wrong way to do it. I'd be interested in exploring other options, such as the long debated and never seen resurrection of a beer writers guild. Pretty much misses the entire point of the article but thanks for playing along Bob. I certainly don’t decry beer journalists, including book authors such as you and I, the opportunity to have their work celebrated and their efforts recognized. The BJA is just the wrong way to do it. I’d be interested in exploring other options, such as the long debated and never seen resurrection of a beer writers guild.

]]> By: Bob Skilnik http://www.beerscribe.com/2008/07/29/why-reporters-and-journalists-should-not-participate-in-the-beer-journalism-awards/comment-page-1/#comment-291 Bob Skilnik Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:40:21 +0000 http://www.beerscribe.com/2008/07/29/why-reporters-and-journalists-should-not-participate-in-the-beer-journalism-awards/#comment-291 I have my own bone to pick with all of this, as described in an earlier e-Mail to the AB:

Looking at the the Michael Jackson Beer Journalism Awards handed out in the last few years by the Brewers Association, [I see that] there really is no category for books and I find this an odd oversight.

It takes much more time and research to bring a book to print, and when articles seem to be the only thing that falls under “BA’s Consumer Print Media� category, something seems out of balance. Even the application makes no allowance for books, something I found out after my book submissions were misplaced last year. After belated correspondence was exchanged with **** *******, I realized that the 3 copies of my latest book submitted for award consideration amounted to a futile exercise, even with a well thought out book theme and front matter endorsement by Jim Koch of The Boston Beer Company.

Koch recognized the book as a strong message in bringing beer and food together, the history of how this marriage came about in American kitchens from Colonial Times through the bumpy time of Repeal and the tenative efforts of a wounded industry to find a common message in presenting beer as a drink of moderation. This colorful history has led to today’s blossoming Renaissance of beer paired with food and beer-related food recipes.

But for us book authors, where’s the outlet for peer recognition for our contributions to good beer and food?

“Consumer Print Media: For work appearing in general circulation consumer print publications such as daily newspapers, as well as consumer-oriented news, food, and lifestyle magazines.� But no books?

I remember the old Beer Writers Guild writing awards, of which I won a Golden Quill for my Chicago brewing industry history book back in 2001. This definitive book on one of the country’s most influential brewing centers wouldn’t even qualify for consideration in this newer program with its current guidelines.

Why are books, works of considerable research and effort, ignored over 1,000-word articles? There were a good handful of informative and worthwhile beer-themed books written last beer by well-qualified experts who should have been given the opportunity to receive equal recognition for their efforts. Lucy Saunders, Sam Calagione and Marni Old, Charlie Bamforth, Maureen Ogle’s turn around with an additional paperback printing, or Dr. Amy Mittleman all penned books that will stand the test of time…but never were considered for the Michael Jackson Beer Journalism Award.

Michael Jackson’s writings were considerable, but it’s his books with distribution in bookstores and online that will be remembered for years to come and still turned to for information, education and sheer enjoyment, long after his passing. Books are the type of dedicated efforts that are handed out as holiday and birthday presents to a widespread audience of readers who might not be beer geeks but would nonetheless still welcome an informative publication that could serve as a gateway in sparking their interest in good beer, not an article published in a niche magazine “…in trade and specialized beer and brewing media� that for more often than not…preach to the choir.

Somehow, I think Jackson would even question this program in its current form; “The Michael Jackson Beer Journalism awards is the only program of its kind. The contest allows the craft beer community to acknowledge, reward and thank journalists who feature craft beer.� Except for book authors.

Bob Skilnik
http://www.beerinfood.wordpress.com

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