So the part about not liveblogging the Edgars..

...may still be true, or it may not. There's a new edict handed down by the MWA Board:

Mystery Writers of America (MWA) requests that cell phones, cameras and all other electronic devices of attendees be turned off during the 2007 Edgar® Banquet.   Additionally, MWA requests that attendees refrain from any live blogging throughout the course of the Banquet. We hope that all in attendance will comply with these requests. The Edgar Award winners will be announced to the membership of MWA at 10:00PM EDT followed by a press release over PR Newswire at 10:05PM.  Thank you.

From my own standpoint, I'm happy to comply. Means I can actually focus on watching what happens on stage, mingling with the crowd, talking to my friends, that sort of thing.

On principle, however, this so-called "edict" is not only ludicrous, but without any precedent in the book world. The National Book Critics Circle has no such embargo. Neither do the much-maligned Quills, which is broadcast at a later date and an embargo would be pointless. And as for the National Book Awards, where journalists camp out in the press box to write up their missives, there is no embargo and never has been. Even when Stephen King made his speech a few years back.

And I must also point out this: why on earth did it take so long for the MWA to come up with this stance, barely 36 hours before the awards ceremony? If you're going to play in the majors, then you must also anticipate any and all possible forms of technological communications within the ceremony at least several months in advance and not react after a somewhat high-spirited writer and blogger figures out how to use her Twitter account for what was supposed to be an informative and entertaining cause (one, I might add, that has precedent.) And short of scary-looking security guards going around to each and every table and physically taking phones, blackberries and other devices out of each and every attendee's hands, I'm not sure how this missive can even be properly enforced.

Do I understand where MWA's coming from? Absolutely. Because of King's presence, the organization felt that security must be tighter, media blitzes must increase (leading to, among other things, a nice piece by Dick Donahue in today's PW Daily) and awareness of the importance of the Edgars must be broadened. All good things. But once again, we're in a situation that's reactive (and embarrassingly so) instead of proactive, one that doesn't recognize how communication ability far exceeds that of embargos. Which is kind of a shame.

Comments

[Keith Raffel]

That's great, Sarah. Much appreciated. Streaming video next year?

[Nury]

Dear Sarah, wow, what an information-packed website you run. Congratulations. I stumbled upon it after we hooked up on the crimespace website. I also run a info-packed website for writers, although mine is not focused on crime writing but on "world" writing, as I think the time has come for a more globalized entertainment/ cultural scene. I'll certainly check back regularly.

[Jan Burke]

Not to do what everyone else has done here so far, and not comment on the issue but -- okay, I'm not commenting on the issue.

I just want to thank you for the link to Arcane Gazebo. Another moment of discovery on your blog!

[Maria]

I say let people be excited and share the excitement. When there is a moment of excitement in the book world, don't shut it down. By all means, let it out!!!

[john ford]

This is sad -- and, unless I'm missing something, does a disservice to the MWA.

The prospect of reading your liveblog from the ceremony heightened my interest in the event dramatically. As a direct result, yesterday I read up on the Edgar happenings and the nominated books -- much more so than I normally would. The Edgar Awards were getting quite exciting to me . . . and now, instead, I've got a bit of a sour taste in my mouth.

Seems to me they should be begging you to do this, not banning you from it.

Oh well, still hope it's a great time. As for me, I guess I'll be watching Survivor . . .

[B.G. Ritts]

As I'm not a writer, member of MWA, Edgars ticket holder, or etc., I can comment without being kicked out of the next banquet or have my non existent books banned forever. I agree an edict to stop a journalist's enterprise is ludicrous. So much for freedom of. The fact that three years ago, someone with the then current technology did that which they are now prohibiting, but nothing has apparently been said in the interim, smacks of a nouveau elitism that, to me, does not seem fitting. Methinks someone at the MWA has made a hasty decision blunder.

Personally, Sarah, I was looking forward to your newscast.

[Rebecca]

No cameras? I used a snapshot taken at the Edgars as a book jacket photo for two years running. And I was looking forward to snapping pictures. Rats. But I suspect this will be like the famous cell phone edict in New York City public schools - more honored in the breach than in the observance.

[Dean James]

Speaking as a member of MWA and as someone who has served on four Edgar committees in the past five years, this ban is patently ridiculous. As others have observed, this has dampened the excitement that the promise of live blogging engendered. So, once again the MWA board is out of touch with reality. Color me surprised...NOT!

[R.K. Foster]

This may have something to do with the DVD's and/or tapes that I noticed would be for sale from the MWA website in the days after the event?

[Ross from Maine]

OK, here's the way one hick from the sticks views it.

MWA makes a a couple of bucks from selling DVDs/tapes to a couple of hardcore fans after the event.

MWA makes a fortune if they turn a group of sophisticated bloggers at the top of of their game (La Weinman, anyone?) loose on the internet, generating buzz, sales, fans, and most of all widespread passion and new converts.

You do the math. As usual, Dean James is a rocket scientist, IMHO.

[Andi]

Oh fer cryin' out loud - like WHAT? The news that some of us want to know NOW will break the bank? I usually spend DAYS trying to find out who won because MWA (sorry, Margery is a VERY good friend and fine person) does not have their act together to announce, notify, post, email to those of us who provide the news, blog, etc. in the field.
I wonder if SFWA would have this policy for the Nebulas and how long it would last before they were laughed out of the room.
It has nothing to do wiht DVD sales since that's for the symposia sessions, not the awards banquet. And even if it were, I AIN'T gonna by the banquet DVD even if there is one. I just want the winners, as does anyone who does internet news, provides award coverage on the field, writes about mystery, or dammit, I admit it, whose best friend is nominated. What would happen if we knew? Who could it possibly hurt?
Grrrrrrrr.

[Anonymous MWA Member]

MWA sends out a bulletin to its members the night of the banquet. Their website lists winners the night they are announced. This year they set up a special website just for the Edgars. I don't know why anyone would have to spend DAYS trying to find out who won.

[Andi]

Well, Gee, Anonymous MWA member, I'm NOT an MWA member but my work benefits MWA, as does that of folks like Sarah, Chris and Lynn at Mystery News, Jiro Kimura at Gumshoe, George and Russ at Deadly Pleasures. I'm what you call a fan and reader, among other things and I have to admit I don't get why MWA members should hear first given that MWA does appear to believe these are important awards - why the two tier notice? And in the past, no, the award winners have not been on the website the night they are announced; I know because I have spent the last couple years checking, repeatedly. they set up a website for the Edgars, yes, but that is no guarantee. If they do it this year, hurrah, but it took as I recall 3 days for it to be posted last year. I've tried too to get on whatever pr mailing list others seem to get on and I can't. (why do I care? I work for "Cluelass.com" and provide updates on our Deadline News site. i'm also an active mystery fan and in the past have provided the winners to other lists and websites.

[B.G. Ritts]

Twitter rules!