Fall of the Dragon
SF / F's teardrops have fallen bayond the pale
It is my opinion that disqualifying Cedar Sanderson from the Best Illustrative Cover category is unfair and capricions.
First, there is NOTHING in the rules that would disqualify covers created with AI elements.
Second, there are entries still listed that appear to have used AI elements.
The Co-Chair of Dragon Con, Dave Cody is CHANGING THE RULES after the nomination process, and then applying them unevenly.
So much for ANY major awards in SF / F actually being fair!
I don’t see ANY reference to covers incorporating AI elements being verboten!
As of the time of this post, the rules still do NOT indicate such.
At the end of the day, this kefuffle is pretty obviously happening because some individual doesn't like Rac Press or pulp or fun or entertainment...or something. These are the same types who rallied around creepy enabler M Zimmer Bradley and her pedophile spouse (it's not slander/libel if it's true) back in the day, but ostracize guys like Ben Yallow.
Apparently, all you have to do is “alert” them that an artist has used AI and they get removed. I’m curious how they have confirmed the other nominees have not used AI.