Jeez, Janet, lighten up.
Editors do do that, sort of, when they send you a rejection notice that says, "Your poem 'Decapitated Roses' came very close, we hope you'll try again." It's not a consolation prize, it's an indication of their individual taste that may be useful when you submit again.
In this case, it would tell us a little bit more about Cathy's taste in sonnets. What's wrong with that? Why shouldn't she opine? None of us would participate in workshops if we weren't fond of opining.
And it eases the pressure, slightly, on the host (who is doing a difficult task on her own time, not to mention publicly sticking her neck out). So I vote with Farley Granger in favor of honorable mentions.
|