On accepting PDF versions of printed products

[reveal]

In the past few weeks, we've received questions regarding submitting PDF versions of documents that are also available in either hardcover/softcover format or print-on-demand (POD). In that regard, I thought it would be prudent to post our position.

In short, we will not accept submissions of products in PDF format if the product is also available in print/POD format. We will only accept the print/POD (printed out and bound) version.

However, if a publisher has a product available in POD format and 1) the POD version has sold less the 50 copies and 2) the PDF and POD versions are exactly identical, then the publisher may submit the PDF version.

Our reasons for this stance are thus:

1. We're committed to evaluating the products that the public has in their hands and making sure that fans are voting for the same product the judges have nominated. Based upon discussions with publishers, 3.5 products in print have a deeper market penetration than their electronic counterparts and, therefore, would have an unfair advantage amongst voters who would base their votes upon the print version rather than the PDF that was submitted.
   
2. It is more difficult to judge production values in a PDF product versus its printed counterpart. What you see on the screen can look vastly different than what you see in a printed product. In some cases, it can look better on the screen and might give a publisher an unfair advantage in that regard.
   
3. We cannot, and will not, treat different publishers differently. It is not fair to any publisher to force a larger publisher to send print products and allow a smaller publisher to send PDF only versions of a printed product. All publishers must follow the same guidelines.
   
4. The ENnie Awards is a non-profit entity. A vast majority of our funds come from the silent auction that is held prior to the actual ceremony at GenCon. Most people would be unwilling to bid the same amount for a PDF product than they would a print product. In order to maintain the same standards people expect from the ENnies ceremony, we must raise money somehow and we do not want to shortchange ourselves or the fans.

Please remember, if you are a publisher and have electronic versions only of a product, then this does not apply to you. You may continue to submit your products in electronic format using the steps laid out here: The ENnie Awards -- How To Enter

With that said, we welcome feedback and any comments you have on the subject. We only ask that you keep it clean.

Tony Law
ENnies Assistant Business Manager

 

[Crothian]

Glad to hear this. As a former Judge I can also say it is easier to read books then PDFs since books can be read anywhere and PDFs I'd need a computer to read them. When you get as much to read as the Judges do this becomes very impirtant.

 

[JoeGKushner]

Glad to hear this. As a former Judge I can also say it is easier to read books then PDFs since books can be read anywhere and PDFs I'd need a computer to read them. When you get as much to read as the Judges do this becomes very impirtant.

The dreaded ditto post.

I enjoy many a PDF these days thanks to their space saving nature but PDF != Book in all aspects.

 

[Qwillion]

" 3.5 products in print have a deeper market penetration than their electronic counterparts"

Every single product I have produced has higher PDF sales than my POD sales.

"In some cases, it can look better on the screen and might give a publisher an unfair advantage in that regard."

If I design my product for screen and you design your product for print how is that an unfair advantage? We both make our choices in the design process, and we both shoulder the responsiblity for those choices.

We cannot, and will not, treat different publishers differently. It is not fair to any publisher to force a larger publisher to send print products and allow a smaller publisher to send PDF only versions of a printed product. All publishers must follow the same guidelines.

You have already done so, you allow a publisher that does not use a POD to submit (which anyone can use a POD and there is no reason they cannot), you even had a winner that did not submit a print product.

The ENnie Awards is a non-profit entity.

Again you have the option of charging a FEE. You are charging a fee this year for electronic product submissions correct?

Off the subject

You want to encourage em as a micropress to submit a print product have a category for start up compnaies that have never been nominated for an Ennie. As you currently lack a category for upstarts, new companies, or micropresses, who know they will never be able to out match other larger companies "get out the vote" efforts or over come a judges existing prejudice for a print product in the nomination stage.

I believe in awards but I wish the Ennies were less about the publishing companies and more about the authors, editors, artists, and graphic designers, because I want to give them a chance of being recognized is why I spend the money to submit products.

Anyway that is the end of my rant.

 

[Wild Gazebo]

I seriously suggest separating categories into mediums to prevent this type of debate. This would have to be implemented down the road: but serious thought should be given to this. If not solely for the fact that none of the given reasons hold much water.

I fail to understand how product penetration could ever govern the ability to judge quality.

I fail to understand how production quality could ever be judged across mediums to begin with. I always assumed you guys just made due. PDF only should never be eligible by the stated logic--and vice-versa.

I fail to understand how you can make the claim that all entrants must follow the same rules while in the same post state that not all entrants have to send in print versions. We live in an age where I can get a professional print of a document with binding in under a day.

A silent auction in any form will stir action from people wanting to support the cause. I'm sure you can make due with t-shirts, sketches, donated swag...and proper marketing. Please don't let an ethical issue slide for your lack of fundraising knowledge.

I suggest letting all entrants submit electronically...or none. Or simply broaden the scope of the awards to include print categories and electronic categories: where both versions would have to be submitted for overlapping categories.

So I guess I just fail to understand.

 

[Angellis_ater]

I would have to agree with having a "PDF" category and a "Print" category. If a single publisher wants to submit into both, then awesome, if they can't do one or the other, then it's also fine. But right now it means "punishing" small outfits because printing and sending in 7+ physical books will always be more expensive than sending in a PDF.

Speaking of distinctions - if we make a POD book with slightly more content than the PDF, but are released under the same name, are they effectively two different products or one and the same?

 

[Crothian]

Is there still a Best PDF/Electrocnic product award? The ENnies had that in the past and it seemed to serve them well.

 

[reveal]

Speaking of distinctions - if we make a POD book with slightly more content than the PDF, but are released under the same name, are they effectively two different products or one and the same?

Edit: After looking into it further, the POD version would be considered a different product than the PDF version, since there are changes between the two.

Is there still a Best PDF/Electrocnic product award? The ENnies had that in the past and it seemed to serve them well.

Yes, there is a Best Electronic Book category.

 

[Qwillion]

And the problem with one category is that the 10 page mini pdf, the 230 page adventure, the 338 page setting, and the patronage project with printable map packs, paper minis, a musical score, maptool bundle, plus a wiki are all in the same category.

 

[jaerdaph]

And the problem with one category is that the 10 page mini pdf, the 230 page adventure, the 338 page setting, and the patronage project with printable map packs, paper minis, a musical score, maptool bundle, plus a wiki are all in the same category.

I agree - I think the electronic book category needs to be expanded a bit considering how that market has grown. Maybe 24 pages and under/over 24 pages would be a good place to start next year, and then expand it out more in future years as the market continues to grow.