I don't doubt Hazel's motives were exactly what she said they were. However, I would like to say that I think if someone *had* wanted to submit anonymously as a test, it would be perfectly rational. Many of us are concerned that authorship will not be totally anonymous to the judges, and that the judges will not be totally impartial where authors from certain camps are concerned -- as others have pointed out, we had a fairly bitter split not too long ago. I know for a fact that several people refuse to trust the Kerth committee, which is certainly their decision to make, and we have a few people here and there who just can't stand each other. In that context, I can see where someone might want to do a little comparison & contrast, to see if a story sent in under a fake name would be treated differently than one sent under one's real name. I'd thought about doing it myself, frankly (I abandoned the idea when I realized I couldn't write anything that short <g> ).
If the M-Com and all the judges are on the up-and-up, and everything is run precisely as advertised, they have little to fear from this sort of test.
It's a shame if suspicion is tarnishing perfectly innocent people, but really, it's very good news that we're willing to risk it at all (even including tests), instead of just writing the whole thing off and running fast in the other direction.
Act in good faith, M-Com, treat people with respect, and be consistent with what you've said you would do -- you will earn people's trust.
It just takes some time. However, if you fudge on the judging or lash out at honest questions... then not so much.
Believe it or not, most of us are still hoping for the best.
PJ
