'People's Book Prize' launched
16/04/2009
A nationwide book competition is to be launched this summer - and for the first time the public will have a direct say in choosing Britain's next top authors.
From 1st June, new titles in three genres – fiction, non-fiction and children's literature - will be showcased in public libraries around the country every month. Members of the public will be able to borrow or buy the books, and then vote for their favourites - either at their local library or on the prize website. Every month, the three books which receive the most votes will go forward as finalists for The People's Book Prize.
The annual prize will be awarded to the top authors of the three genres in London at the end of July 2010.
The People's Book Prize aims to raise the profile of local libraries
as many of them are facing closure by local councils. It's also aimed at encouraging young people to start reading from an early age.
"If it weren't for the enthusiasm of a young girl, J.K. Rowling would never have been discovered", says Tatiana Wilson, managing director of Delancey Press, which has initiated The People's Book Prize. "It was Alice Newton, the eight-year-old daughter of Bloomsburty's chairman, who is credited with 'discovering' the author, after being given the first three chapters of The Philsopher's Stone to read. We are hoping that school libraries will join public libraries in introducing new authors to young readers."
The competition will give independent publishers a unique opportunity to market new titles, many of which remain obscure due to the difficulties of showcasing unknown authors.
"Independent publishers do not have the resources to get their titles into high street book stores. You also need a huge marketing budget to get your titles considered for high-profile book prizes, or featured on TV book shows," says Ms Wilson. "So much talent is being wasted and lost."
She adds: "I hope that momentum generated by The People's Book Prize will not only boost library membership numbers, but also give budding authors more of a chance of being published and read - and of capturing people's imagination. The British public deserves a wider choice of titles."
It's hoped local newspapers and radio stations will link up with their local libraries in launching weekly discussion forums - to give each month's titles publicity, and to encourage members of the public to get reading and to vote for their favourite books.
"We are also looking for a weekly slot on a national TV channel,"
says Ms Wilson. "We want The People's Book Prize to be the biggest and most popular book prize in the country."
More on the prize on the link below.