The William Blackfox Awards

Return to list of all Blackfox awards

Greetings –
Once again, I am pleased to present the winners and complete list of nominees for the Master William Blackfox Awards. Each year, Kingdom Chroniclers nominate worthy newsletters in their kingdoms for these awards, and send review copies to the Society Chronicler. Being able to select the winners of these awards is one of things I most look forward to as Society Chronicler, but in some ways I dread the dilemma I know I will face as I sort through so many excellent nominees. This year, for the first time, I have selected a winner and a “commended” entry in most categories in order to be able to recognize twice as many nominees.

As with last year, 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.

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: Moose Call, Barony of Arn Hold [Artemisia], Lady Dainya of Moon Hill, Chronicler

Commended: The Seraph, Barony of Angels [Caid], Lady Elspeth Colquhoun, Chronicler

The remaining nominees:

Best Layout and Design

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

The winner: The Gryphon’s Tale, Barony of Flaming Gryphon, Alexander Kyppyn Kirkcaldy, Chronicler, Middle Kingdom.

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

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 entry.

The winners:
Cover Art – Color (Decorative Calligraphy with Illuminated border)Mistress Bryn de Luna, Mistress Carolyne de lat Point, Lord Edward MacGyver, Lady Mickel von Salm, Ariel of Caer Myrddin, and Master Saint Robert Whitecombe of Brandywine, The Moonstone, Province of Malagentia, East Kingdom
Cover Art – Black and White (five individual covers, but especially the knight on the February, 2005 cover)Lord Raymond von dem Löwengrab, The Darkwood Drum, Barony of Darkwood, West Kingdom

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: Country Contentments in Two Bookes, The Althing, Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands [Æthelmearc]. Vrouwe Odriana vander Brugghe, Chronicler.

Commended: October AS 39 issue, Storm Tidings, Shire of Adamastor [Drachenwald]. Lady Cassandra Tantifer, Chronicler.

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 winner: Ars Caidis (Arts and Sciences Newsletter of Caid), Duchess Natalya de Foix, Editor

Commended: Pigments of Your Imagination (Æthelmearc Scribal Newsletter). THL Alienora Russeal, 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: Ask Bart, Lord Bartholomew Marchant of Studley Green, Gyldenholt Press, Barony of Gyldenholt [Caid]

Commended: Notes from the Kitchener, various authors including Mistress Meredydd ferch Owain ap Elesig and Baroness Gillian Warrender, The Barge, Barony of Three Rivers [Calontir]

The remaining nominees:

Best Article

Recognizes the author of an outstanding article. Awarded to the writer and the newsletter.

The winner: “Elizabethan Ordinary Beer,” Baron Rian Gortyroyan, Full Tilt, Barony of Delftwood [Æthelmearc].

Commended: “The Spanish-Dutch War,” Jan van Seist, Storm Tidings, Shire of Adamastor, [Drachenwald].

The remaining nominees:

Best Poetry or Short Fiction

Recognizes the author of an outstanding poem or piece of short fiction. Awarded to the writer and the newsletter.

The Winners (tie):
Oenological Extemporanea“, Baron Alexandre Lerot D’Avigne, Dona Anabel Raquel de Guzaman, Lord Jibril ad-Dekhil, The Cheese Cloth, Canton of the Whyt Whey, [East].
Let March Unleash His Vernal Sea” (in honor of Queen Levana of Caid), Duke Dietrich von Vogelsang, Gyldenholt Press, Barony of Gyldenholt [Caid].

The remaining nominees:

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.

Middle Kingdom – The Mirror on the Mere, Incipient Canton of Westmere, Rowan of Wind-tree, Chronicler. Some of the finest newsletters I have seen recently have come from incipient groups. These newer groups seem to have embraced the idea of the newsletter and the idea of producing something that will help their groups grow. The Mirror on the Mere is a shining example of this – it shows how inclusive a newsletter can be and how well it can get an entire group to work together.

Calontir The Runestaff, Barony of Mag Mor, Heraldry Quiz by Lady Mor nighean Dhhuibhgiolla, November, 2004. This quiz includes something to inform and challenge everyone, from newcomer to oldtimer. Presented as letters from the local herald, it made for interesting ready and informed people about heraldry in the SCA.

Drachenwald Ye Maille and Guardant, Shire of Griffon’s Tor, Lor Alric of Couentreu, Chronicler. The chronicler is notable for his efficiency and consistency of production. The newsletter appears regularly every month, on time, and always contains officers’ letters, at least one article, and event announcements. In many cases the chronicler appears to fill the gaps with his own material in order to maintain the consistent length.

East Le Chaipitre du Fief, Shire Les Sylves Constelles, Eadaoin ui Brien, Chronicler. Wonderful layout. A little bit of everything for the information and enjoyment of all.The Chanticleer, Barony Beyond the Mountain, Lady Evaine fyrdd Brangwen, Chronicler.A good collection of business, news, and activities.

Ansteorra The Thorny Truth, Shire of Rosenfeld, Lord Gork Kurganoff, Chronicler. The Shire of Rosenfeld has always done an excellent newsletter. It serves the needs of its populace well.

Æthelmearc The Sentinel, Barony of St. Swithin’s Bog, Lady Caitilin ni Mhaolconaire, Chronicler. An overall good newsletter with an unusual layout.

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