The 2004 CLEO Awards of the Robert E. Howard Studies Association (REHSA)

LATEST REVISION 30 JULY 2004

I. CONCEPT and PURPOSE

The CLEO AWARDS were conceived to fulfill the following purposes:

A. To recognize and reward excellence and significant achievements in the scholarly study of the literary works and life of Robert Ervin Howard (1906-1936) —

B. To recognize significant achievements in the publication of Robert Ervin Howard’s work and the promotion of his literary legacy —

C. To recognize and reward significant achievements in art and illustration which enhance and work to perpetuate the memory and literary legacy of Robert Ervin Howard —

D. To recognize and reward significant achievements that make use of the emerging media and hypermedia of the new millennium that enhance and work to perpetuate the memory and literary legacy of Robert Ervin Howard —

E. To encourage further efforts and endeavor in all these same causes and areas of endeavor —

II. Why the Name “CLEO?”

A stylized chalk bust of Cleopatra was apparently Robert E. Howard’s favorite objet d’art in the family home. The bust can be viewed in the Howard House at Cross Plains, Texas.

As a legendary figure in her own right, Cleopatra symbolizes those

things ancient and exotic, legendary and lost, mythical and historical which also inspired Howard as a writer.

Additionally, many groups present awards named after individuals or stylized in human form. It was thought that “CLEO” would be fitting for achievements and accomplishments in the various and several arts and studies relevant to Robert Ervin Howard.

Some representation* of the Howard House “Cleopatre”** will be part of each award, which will also be signified by certificate.

*Either in two dimensions on a plaque or in three dimensions if a smaller scale facsimile statuette can be struck.

**The name is in the French spelling, as the mold for this statue is of French make and its production was likely in France.

III.

Two Categories of CLEO Awards: Annual and Occasional

A.

Annually Awarded “CLEOs”: [Nominations of no more than five (5)and, if possible and warranted, no fewer than three (3), in each category to be done in March of each year based upon achievements in the previous year. Voting will take

th

place no later than May 15 following]

1 THE RISING STAR AWARD will be presented to the individual who, over the previous year has burst upon the stage of REH discussion and influence. This individual:

a.

can never before have been the recipient of any CLEO;

b.

must have, within a time period no earlier than the previous three years, begun to have a genuine impact upon and enthusiastic and constructive presence demonstrated in “Howardian” circles;

c.

must have achieved something significant as described in Article I (Concept and Purpose) within that same time frame of the previous three years.

2 THE AWARD(S) FOR SCHOLARSHIP will be presented to the individuals who, over the previous year have made the most significant contributions to Robert Ervin Howard studies by publishing either:

a.

a significant contribution to Howard studies in a single researched and/or otherwise scholarly essay or article;

b.

a book or collection or series of essays directly concerning Robert Ervin Howard by an individual/done by a single author.

NOTE: If both of the categories described directly above are published in any given year, two separate awards for SCHOLARSHIP will be awarded:

• The Award for Book-Length Scholarship
• The Award for Scholarly Essay

The achievement(s) can be in any of the following areas:

i. direct literary criticism (representative of any established critical approach or pioneering in a new approach),

ii. a work in biography on Robert Ervin Howard

iii. a work in bibliography or textual studies

iv. a work on the milieu/culture of pulp/popular fiction with extensive relevance to Robert E. Howard

NOTE: The Robert E. Howard Studies Association may, as the

occasion warrants, sub-divide these categories as per the

topical/genre categories in i through iv above and award two

or more awards in either article or book categories,

representative of criticism, biography, bibliography, or

relevant cultural study.

THE AWARDS FOR PUBLICATION – presented to the individuals or publishing entities who, over the past year have made significant contributions to Howardian publication and promotion—

a.

by publishing a book-length anthology of new Howardian studies, criticism, biography, or bibliography/textual studies — The Award for Anthology Publication;

b.

by generally making more accessible and available to the broader public, the original work OF Robert Ervin Howard through publication or republication — The Award for Original Robert E. Howard Publication;

c.

by publishing illustrated graphic narratives or comics portraying the works of Robert Ervin Howard or works inspired by Howard — The Award for Graphic Narrative Publication;

d.

by publishing a distinctive and significant REH-dedicated OR REH- intensive fanzine (definition: A “fanzine” is a regularly published magazine that does not pay contributors for textual and illustrative work) — The Award for Fanzine Publication;

e.

by publishing a distinctive and significant REH-intensive “pro- zine” (definition: A “prozine” is a regularly published print magazine that pays contributors for textual and illustrative work.) — The Award for Professional Magazine Publiction;

f.

by publishing a distinctive and significant REH-intensive scholarly journal (definition: A “scholarly journal” is a regularly published print journal that publishes researched and secondary-source referenced articles complete with scholarly apparatus) — The Award for Publication of a Scholarly Journal.

In all years in which applicable and qualifying examples exist, the awards as listed above shall be presented.

If, in any year, no significant and eligible candidates exist in

any of the categories mentioned directly above, there will be no award in the respective category/(ies).

4 THE AWARDS FOR ILLUSTRATIVE ART – presented to the individual who, over the past year has demonstrated excellence in published Art/ Illustration that represents either Robert E. Howard’s fiction or poetry, OR Robert E. Howard himself (or his world outside of fiction or poetry). This illustrative art may be from the following categories — EACH OF WHICH to receive a distinctive award — if applicable and qualifying examples exist:

a.

Illustrations done for “fanzine(s)” — The Award for Fanzine Art;

b.

Illustrations done for illustrated journal(s) in print format or “prozine(s)” — The Award for Professional Magazine Art;

c.

Illustrations done for a book relevant to Howard or Howard studies

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for cover art and/or or inside illustrations — The Award for Book Illustration;

d.

Illustrations done for a commercially available and published (or freely distributed) art portfolio on Howard-relevant topic(s) — The Award for Art Portfolio;

e.

Illustrations done for a graphically presented narrative of Howard-relevant material — The Award for Graphic Narrative/Comic Art.

5 THE AWARD FOR NEW MILLENNIUM MEDIA – presented to the individual or web publishing entity who, over the past has achieved significant accomplishments in Howardiana by:

a.

Creating and/or maintaining an especially significant and effective Robert Ervin Howard-relevant web site (two categories: “fan” and “scholarly”)

b.

Creating and/or maintaining an especially significant and effective Robert Ervin Howard-relevant online discussion group;

c.

Innovatively making use of the internet or any other hypermedia modes (CD, DVD, interactive media, etc.) which presents material relevant to the life and/or literature of Robert Ervin Howard

d.

Creating especially distinctive internet or multi-/hypermedia

graphics The first four awards listed below will be presented annually; the last to be given as occasion and merit warrant:

i. The Award for Fan Web Site

ii. The Award for Scholarly Web Site

iii. The Award for Online Discussion Group

iv.

The Award for Web Graphics/Illustration

v.

The Award for New Media Innovation

B.

Occasionally Awarded “CLEOs”:

1 THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – presented to the individual who, over many years and definitely more than 10, has furthered the cause(s) of Robert E. Howard study and appreciation and the promotion of same.

The award honors a sustained and significant positive presence in the realm of REH studies and in the advancement of Robert E. Howard Studies and of the continuance of the literary legacy of Robert Ervin Howard.

Only members of the Robert E. Howard Studies Association may nominate on and, subsequently, vote on this Award.

2 THE SPECIAL AWARD – presented to an individual or entity for some conspicuous achievement(s) in matters Howardian, but which are not specifically listed above. The Special Award shall have an explanation of meritorious activity in its title and a brief rational describing the merited achievement(s): “The Special Award for _______”

Only members of the Robert E. Howard Studies Association may nominate on and, subsequently, vote on this Award.

3 THE HOWARD CIRCLE AWARD – presented to an individual or entity who, has contributed greatly to the overall study and appreciation of the realm of Pulp Fiction and Popular Literature in general and the study of those authors who can rightly be called members of “The Howard Circle.” [Note: this would include Howard’s friends and associates and frequent correspondents. This would especially include work done on fellow contributors to WEIRD TALES and other ERA PULPS either through the publication of a significant essay, an entire book (individual or anthology), or work on a magazine or journal. The Howard Circle Award shall have an explanation of meritorious activity in its title and a brief rationale describing the merited achievement(s): “The Howard Circle Award for . . .”

Only members of the Robert E. Howard Studies Association may nominate on and, subsequently, vote on this Award.

IV.

Nomination and Election Process

A.

Nominations

1. Members of the Executive Committee of The Robert E. Howard Studies Association can place an initial list of nominations before the Association and the general Howardian public.
2. Current members of Howardian amateur press associations, individual publishers of Howardian material (either of print or web content) Howardian publication panels, Howardian discussion groups, and all previously published students and scholars of the Life and Literary legacy of Robert Ervin Howard and artists and illustrators who have depicted the same may nominate for any of the ANNUAL AWARDS.
3. Only Members of The Robert E. Howard Studies Association may nominate for the Occasional Awards: Lifetime Achievement, Special, and Howard Circle.
4. Nomination Forms, inclusive of the initial nominations of the Executive Committee, will be mailed to Members of The Robert E. Howard Studies Association with postage paid return envelopes. NOTE: The nominations of Members of REHSA carry two nomination points, while the nominations of Non-Members carry one point.
5. The various categories and initial nominations of the Executive Committee of REHSA will be posted online and announced in various online groups and through some e-mailing. A printable form for nominations will be available at that site. Non-Members of REHSA may send nominations to the Society’s attention at the following address:
6. A group of no more than five nominees in each category receiving the highest total of will be distributed — with significant information on the successful nominee(s) both in print and internet-available form*** — to the membership of the Robert E. Howard Studies Association for final balloting
7. The Executive Committee reserves the right to one final additional nominee in any given category if, in the opinion of a majority of the Committee (3 or more of 5) the final nomination totals exclude a candidate who/which is eminently worthy of consideration.

[NOTE: This means that non-members of REHSA may nominate for the Annual Awards, BUT may not take part in the final voting which is done by the General Membership of The Robert E. Howard Studies Association].

***[NOTE: This would also give the voters time to investigate and do some further study on the nominees and their works or accomplishments – perhaps a web site could be set up showcasing the work of nominees or linking to such, reading lists or “web sites to see” etc. could be included – another need for a REHSA type of group “rehsa.org”]

[SPECIAL AWARD - Initial nomination by F. Coffman: Michael Myers “. . .for his creation of the screenplay for the THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD, a cinematic portrayal of Robert E. Howard leading to a great enhancement of interest in the Life and Literary legacy of Robert Ervin Howard.”]

[HOWARD CIRCLE AWARD - Initial nomination by F. Coffman: S. T. Joshi for his lifetime of work on H. P. Lovecraft “ . . . for his exemplary and excellent scholarship upon and publication focusing upon the Life and

Literature of Howard Phillips Lovecraft.” and we might also include the Award presented to two individuals (or do CAS the second year, selecting one most responsible for achievement relating to Clark Ashton Smith)]