Replies to SFWA's YA/MG group

[amysisson]

I told SFWA's YA/MG special interest group that I would not derail their discussion further by continuing to talk there about why they're restricting the group. They've made their decision and they don't want to re-hash it, and I understand that

Comments

[sandramcdonald]

Karma :-)

[kgkofmel]

It's awkward now, though, because I've had a few responses to my original post there. To answer those responses would be to continue a discussion they don't want. To not answer allows their assumptions about me and other SFWA members to go unchallenged.

Is it the kind of list where you can reply direct to the sender? Because you could answer direct. Not the snarky one, that doesn't need to be dignified by an answer. But the other one, if it seems reasonable to do so.

[amysisson]

Not a bad thought, but it's pretty clear to me that a direct reply would not be welcome even to the more polite person -- and there was a bit in her post that I think was meant to be a little cutting.

All they see is "oh, this person just wants to get in the inner club and it's sour grapes." (Ironic that I do qualify via the other route, and now they're stuck with me if I choose to stay.) And I don't think I've said anything here, or can say anything, that will change their minds. Even if they finally decide that I'm not uninformed and I'm not bothering them with YA-101 questions, I think in their minds I would be an exception -- and the other SFWA-member YA-wannabees would still be assumed to be problems.

[kgkofmel]

Well, it will be interesting to hear how it all plays out. Keep us posted.

[asakiyume]

I predict that they will find as many problems with their limited membership as they would have had if they had left the group open--for example, the 101-level questions from the snarky author.

[amysisson]

Yes. And I also saw a comment in there from someone I believe is new to the field gushing that it was the "coolest group on the net." I suspect the more experienced members probably winced at that one.

[pats_quinade]

Every once in awhile, I think, "Well, now that I've got a novel out, I should really rejoin SFWA." And then I read a post like this and remember why i didn't re-up my membership.

[amysisson]

Yeah. I really regret this, because I have spent a lot of time telling people why I think SFWA membership is a good thing even if the benefits are not immediately tangible. I am really disgusted that I got no real response to my concerns from the board or a representative of the group, that they held most of their discussion about restricting the membership inside the restricted place so that objectors couldn't take part in the discussion, and that they see no problem using a portion of my dues (I don't care if it's half a penny) for activities that they've decided I'm not good enough to participate in.

[romulantbonz]

*sigh*

Tribalism. The bane of humanity.

[mckitterick]

My feelings exactly. In fact, this attitude suggests that the authors who started this sub-clique are atypical of YA/MG authors, because most I know are very open and supportive of one another. I suspect this particular group is full of insecure types who feel exclusive sub-tribes make them more powerful. Sad, because this could be really useful to the rest of SFWA, especially for those currently writing such work.

[amysisson]

I know a lot of wonderful YA/MG authors too. One of the worst parts of this was going on that list and seeing the names of people who are in the "keep those ignorant newbies the heck out!" because I have a lot less respect for them than I used to. If they were so concerned about avoiding YA-101 questions, the "welcome to the group" message could contain a reminder that "this group is intended for xyz discussion; please visit the FAQ before posting basic questions about the field". The moderator could remind anyone who doesn't abide by that. And I still maintain it would be less than they think.

[mckitterick]

I totally agree. That's how EVERY OTHER professional organization works.

Sheesh. At first I was irritated because I'd find it useful (writing a YA novel, first of a trilogy, right now), but since have come to realize these are probably not the kind of folks with whom I'd want to associate.