Asia Blog Awards

We know, it's not exactly normal website awards season just yet, but the Asia Blog Awards don't appear to be exactly normal. For one, the competition is quarterly ("final winners will not be tallied until after the final round in 2007") and, naturally, it's based on the Japanese financial year, which we all know starts on April 1. Winners will be determined by equal parts reader choice, judges' choice and Technorati ranking. Many of the judges run some of the better blogs throughout Asia. Unfortunately, being a judge disqualifies your blog from being eligible for awards -- which means many of Asia's top blogs aren't competing.

Here's how the organizer describes the Asia Blog Awards:

“Asia” is a continent. “Blog” refers a website published using one of several available online publishing tools. “Award” is a prize or mark or recognition. This site is a means to provide “awards” to “blogs” that are published by, in, or about “Asia.”

If that doesn't clear it up for you, go here.

FYI, Shanghaiist is not a nominee for Best China Blog, but we are up for Best Asia Group Blog ... for the first 25 percent of this competition, at least.