APSE results

Don't sell yourself short. Everyone has that tale to tell - about how the awesomest story he ever wrote got shut out, and then he won for something he considered middling. I placed this year in the category I'd have ranked third had I been ranking my chances in the three I entered.

Oh, and I basically had to explain to my editor what APSE is after I placed, so at least I know I won on my merits

 

Congrats, Waylon!

 

Thanks ... but the point being that it's not just all about "who you know." Which doesn't change the fact, of course, that the appearances of conflict of interest absolutely, positively need to be eliminated. I thought the contest got a huge black eye last year when Jenks was allowed to judge, and I think the other eye is black now with all these judges judging their own section. That is Conflict of Interest 101, and it's pretty much inexcusable.

 

True, but none have fallen as far as fast as the AJC.

 

I understand, and I agree. I guess I just don't buy the conspiracy theories, because our paper has cleaned up in recent years, and we haven't had anyone on the judging panel. Nonetheless, APSE should make its best effort to eliminate the appearance of conflicts.

 

I don't buy the conspiracy theories, either, but why give people the opportunity? The contest loses credibility when it looks like the ol' boy club, and all the testimonials of guys like Lynn Hoppes and Moddy don't change that.

 

Agreed.

 

From what I can glean from the APSE Web site, Garry Howard was in charge of who judged what. I didn't attend, but I'm told he micro-managed every detail for better or worse.

 

No surprise to see my old shop (Augusta, Ga.) in the Top 10 for special sections. They're there every year and for good reason. They start work on it immediately after the most recent one is put out.

Am surprised to see them with an Honorable mention for Daily though, given that the Weekend Sports Editor is a complete fricking boob who alienates his staff with every word he speaks. And for that reason I'm not surprised to see not see them in the Sunday awards spot at all.

That being said, great job by the SE John Boyette and the rest of the people on the desk besides the one mentioned.

 

For the winners, did your paper write a brief or article about your awards? If so, how was it played?

Here is how some papers announced the awards. Most just have a few graphs, say what articles won and maybe had a quote from the SE.
http://news.google.com/news?ned=us&ncl=delMHzDqWpVDi2MPEDBLOCyl_uKpM

 

We've done nothing yet. With a new SE -- who was part of a victory or two himself at his former paper -- don't know how we'll play it. I'm kind of torn about trumpeting it.

 

Wow, talk about self-serving. Top 20?