It's Cybils Time!

It's Cybils Time! The Cybils are awards bestowed on worthy, kid-friendly children's and YA books by us, the readers and reviews, and I think this produces the best shortlists of any awards around--I have yet to read a Cybils shortlisted book that disappointed me.

Since the books are chosen by readers and reviews (on any online platform), such readers are needed to take a deep dive into the books in all the various genres covered (YA, Middle Grade, Easy Reader, Poetry, Sci Fi/Fantasy, Picture books, Non Fiction). The call has gone out, and now is the time to submit an application if you would like to be one of the panelists (first round, who create the shortlists) or second round (who pick the winners).


Overview
There are two rounds of judging, and two types of panelists.

Panelists:

Duties:

Panelists are the first-round judges. You start work when nominations close on Oct. 15th, sifting through scores of nominated books in your chosen genre. [if you are reading something like middle grade/elementary speculative fiction, there will be about 125 books).  You start reading and requesting library holds the moment you find out you are a panelist, and as nominations start rolling in, you gather as many together as you can. It is a commitment, but a fun one! 

You’ll join a gmail group or similar list and use a database to keep track of what you’ve read.
Although we make every effort to obtain review copies for books not in your local library, you may have to track down some copies via interlibrary loans. The group chat part is the BEST-so much fun talking books with other fans of the genre; it's a nice mix of intense enthusiasm, critical thought, and a touch of snark! You don't have to talk about every book you've read, but the comments group members make, the more rewarding it is for their co-panelists who procrastinate by checking their email too often. 

 Each panel commits only to making sure every nominated book is read by at least two people, but if you don't like a book, you don't have to finish it! The panelists agree on a shortlist of 5-7 titles in late December. The intense chat at the end, where you make hard choices about beloved favorites, is great fun!

[there's no requirement that you have to blog about the books you read, but I myself try to make an effort to do so, especially for books that were sent by the publishers.  Reviews are linked over at the Cybils website if you want them to be.]

You can also be a second-round panelist, who has to make the really hard choice about which book should be the winner.

Duties
Judges pick up where panelists leave off. You start work on Jan. 1, and have the winner picked by the middle of February.

While we make a Herculean effort to get review copies to you extra speedy fast, it is up to you to make sure you read EVERY SINGLE BOOK ON THE SHORTLIST in a timely fashion. 


And here's what we look for in a panelist--

Thoughtful enthusiasm for the genre, demonstrated by on-line reviews is the big thing; other expertise/experience counts too!

Only books published in the US and Canada are eligible, but you don't have to be in North America to be a panelist.  Most of the review copies are electronic.  I had an Irish panelist one year in EMG spec fic who was able to keep up with the reading, thanks to ebooks, pretty well.


So, if this sounds like something you'd like to do, head here to apply!