In the last blog, I mentioned how the pressure for diversity might influence literary awards. I had a couple of interesting experiences related to the awards cycle this year. First of all, I mentioned the exceptionally high level of diversity among the 2017 Nebula Awards finalists to a friend, and she said “Well, a committee did that.” It’s definitely a cynical viewpoint—she’s suggesting that the list of finalist is manipulated to produce the kind of diversity expected. It also suggests that the public at large is growing more skeptical of the awards results—you have to admit there are a lot of pressures on awards organizations these days to produce a diverse slate. The other experience is related to this.
A small SFF organization I’m a member of made an effort this year to exclude awards nominations they felt had drifted too far outside the speculative fiction genre. There was a challenge related to one exclusion, followed by a squabble about whether the organization was truly recognizing diversity. This was followed by a private discussion where management tried to decide how to proceed. The consensus was that once a diversity challenge has been raised, then the work has to be accepted; plus, the organization is likely to look bad if it doesn’t win. The entry went on to win the award.
I just happened to be lurking in the background and caught this particular discussion, but it’s a real eye-opener about what may actually go on in the awards process. I can’t complain about this particular winner. It was at least marginally speculative fiction, and it was well-written and deserving. However, I’m left with the question of whether it won because of its quality, or because the organization was pressured into 1) accepting it and 2) promoting it to win because of the complaints about diversity.
This is just one example of what can affect an award. What other kinds of pressures exist out there? Commercialism? Powerful publishers? Pleasing the public? And another question–does this kind of pressure for diversity also affect publishing?
Lela E. Buis 
Jun 02, 2017 @ 18:36:20
Ummm. There’s no committee for the Hugos. Have you noticed the diversity in its finalists this year?
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Jun 02, 2017 @ 20:10:40
I’ve not finished reading, but it looks like mostly a competition between women fantasy writers. It includes three black writers and two trans writers that are significant minorities, or 5/24. Without Vox Day’s activism, there wouldn’t be any white men on the fiction ballot at all. I’ll write more on this when I’ve finished the reviews.
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Jun 02, 2017 @ 20:22:45
Sooo… your definition of diversity is “must include white men”? Seriously?
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Jun 02, 2017 @ 20:38:32
That seems inclusive. What’s your definition?
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Jun 02, 2017 @ 20:33:20
Oh, and P.S. — There’s every chance that China Miéville would have made it onto the ballot with or without VD. Unless, of course, you actually have any evidence to the contrary. Do you?
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Jun 02, 2017 @ 20:44:03
Analysis of the voting patterns normally gives some indication of Vox Day’s influence, but it’s pointless to speculate until they’re released. Given that the Puppies had enough votes to get Stix Hiscock on the ballot, they may have had a significant effect.
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Jun 02, 2017 @ 20:51:23
My definition would be something like “includes a diverse representation of genders, races, nationalities, and orientations.” Funny how “diversity” should include, you know, diversity.
The Hugo fiction noms include male, female, straight, gay, trans, black, white, American, Chinese, Korean-American, British, Chinese-Filipino-American, and probably others that I’m missing. That’s pretty darned diverse. And — oh, look! — no committee involved.
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Jun 02, 2017 @ 20:53:55
Just no white men, right?
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Jun 02, 2017 @ 20:57:14
“Just no white men, right?”
Again — China Mieville.
And again — why must a list include a white man to be considered diverse? The list includes men, and it includes white people. Why are you fixating on the particular combination of white plus man?
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Jun 02, 2017 @ 20:55:51
“they may have had a significant effect.”
Phhht. The novelette category only required 74 votes to get on the ballot. The novella category required 167. That’s an entirely different kettle of fish. Stop trying to give VD more credit than he deserves.
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Jun 03, 2017 @ 08:57:15
I’m planning a blog on diversity of the Hugo finalists at the end of this series. Stay tuned.
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