The William Blackfox Awards

Return to list of all Blackfox awards

This year’s annual Master William Blackfox awards almost didn’t happen. Normally, the nomination and judging process for A.S. 38 would have taken place during the summer months, and the winners would have been announced around Pennsic. This year, when I took over the office of Society Chronicler in July, the nominations process had not yet begun. Thanks to the dedication of the Kingdom Chroniclers, this process occurred in record time, and I am pleased to announce our winners.

This was my first year overseeing the Awards, and I was very impressed by the caliber of nominees in all categories. Running a newsletter at the local, baronial, or even principality level offers special challenges to the Chronicler: keeping up on news, encouraging members to submit content, funding, and production issues. Producing a good newsletter takes a significant time commitment and sensitivity to deadlines, and the workload never really lightens—as soon as you finish an issue, you start thinking about the next one. All the nominees should be proud of their accomplishments.

I would like to especially commend the newsletter for the Principality of Northshield, Northwatch, with a special “Lifetime Achievement” award for years of excellence as a newsletter stretching back before Northshield was even a Principality. As I write this, Northshield is spending its last few hours as a Principality of the Middle Kingdom. With Northshield’s elevation in status, the Northwatch will become a Kingdom newsletter and no longer be eligible for the Blackfox Awards. This special Blackfox Award will be presented to the current Chronicler, Lord Friedrich von Augsburg, but belongs to all who have ever worked with the Northwatch.

Nicolaa de Bracton
Society Chronicler

Best Overall Newsletter

The newsletter which best meets the needs of the local group or guild for which it is published. It should accurately reflect the status of the group and be a valuable tool for growth and promotion of SCA goals and ideals. Awarded to the newsletter and the Chronicler.

The winner: Fox Tales, Shire of Vulpine Reach (Meridies), Chronicler: Gysela von Tiefenbach

The remaining nominees:

Best Layout and Design

For the best-looking newsletter. Awarded to the newsletter and the Chronicler.

The winner: Silversparren, Principality of Nordmark (Drachenwald), Chronicler: Lady Uvhild Ingesdotter Skragge

The remaining nominees:

Best Art

For artwork on the cover or interior of the newsletter. Awarded to the newsletter and the artist. I have chosen to recognize one color and one black-and-white cover.

The winners: 
Normans, THL Isaac Bane, The Flamebearer (Color cover art – January 2004), Barony of Wiesenfeuer (Ansteorra)
Archers, Scott Campbell, Gyldenholt Press (Black & White cover art – November 2003), Barony of Gyldenholt (Caid)

The remaining nominees:

Best Special Issue

For Arts & Sciences issues, or other limited-focus issues of a geographic group (Canton, Shire, Barony, etc.). Awarded to the newsletter and the Chronicler.

The winner: Yesterday’s Memories – Tomorrow’s Treasures: Illiton 1976-2003. The Siren’s Song, Barony of Illiton (Middle Kingdom), Chronicler: Baintighearn Aimiliona Tevnane

The remaining nominees:

Best Special Interest Newsletter

This category recognizes guild newsletters, research newsletters, and Arts & Science focus newsletters (such as lace-making). Awarded to the newsletter and the Chronicler.

The winners (tie):
Pigments of Your Imagination (Æthelmearc Scribal Newsletter). THL Alienora Russeal, Editor.
Artes Draconis (Middle Kingdom A&&S Newsletter). Mistress Siobhan O’Neill, Editor.

The remaining nominees:

Best Regular Feature

For those cartoons, articles,and columns which appear regularly in the particular newsletter. Awarded to the creator or feature writer and the newsletter.

The winner: Middle Kingdom Gabriela’s Needlework Nook, Baroness Gabriela Maria del Celmentini d’Orvieto, Castel Rouge Chronicle, Barony of Castel Rouge.

The remaining nominees:

Best Article

Recognizes the author of an outstanding article. Awarded to the writer and the newsletter. Note: In future years, this category will be divided into two categories: Best Article and Best Poetry/Fiction.

The winners (tie):
“To Sail by the Emperor’s Command”, Lord Sverrir Valthjolfrsson, The Aerie, Canton/Shire of Cum an Iolar (Calontir)
“Proper Italian Ladies Did Not Leave the House with Naked Heads (unless, of course, they were Venetian)”, Lady Genevieve D’Valois, Fox Tales, Shire of Vulpine Reach (Meridies)

The remaining nominees:

Special Commendation:

Northwatch, Principality of Northshield (Middle Kingdom), Chronicler: Lord Friedrich von Augsburg

Honorable Mentions:

These are nominations which didn’t fit into the above categories, yet are still deserving of recognition for their exceptional work and/or dedication to producing the best possible newsletter for the local group served.

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