For a working author, recognition is as important as money.
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And when it comes to the ACT Book of the Year, $10,000 in cash is all very well, but for many authors, winning would be even better if more people knew about it.
When ArtsACT announced last month that it would introduce new guidelines for the prize, restricting it to authors living and working within the ACT, it was a bridge too far – or narrow – for Canberra’s writing community.
Not only would several well-known writers living in the region be excluded – such as Jackie French, Roger McDonald and Omar Musa – but the prize itself had, over the years, become something of a footnote in the Australian literary landscape.
Where once the winner would be crowned at a formal event, nowadays the shortlist was buried in the ArtsACT website, and the winner announced with less fanfare.
Prominent writer Marion Halligan was distressed enough to go to ACT Arts Minister Joy Burch directly to voice the community’s concerns.
And, to the surprise of Halligan and the literary community, Ms Burch has made a bold about-face, reversing her decision regarding prize eligibility for the 2013-14 prize, and agreeing to review how the award is celebrated in the community.
“In my discussions with the arts community about the Book of the Year prize, it has become clear to me that this much-loved award could be better promoted,” Ms Burch said.
“I am interested in hearing ideas about how to build a real sense of excitement and momentum between announcing the shortlist and awarding the prize to the winner.”
Halligan, who has won the prize three times – once as a joint winner – said she was “absolutely thrilled” by the result.
“I think this is really exciting and I’m really thrilled that the arts minister is going to make a lot more fuss about it,” she said.
“I don’t necessarily mean having parties, but publicising it, drawing people’s attention, getting it on the television.”
In her talks with Ms Burch, she suggested a popular vote for a “people’s award”, and promoting the shortlisted books through libraries and book clubs ahead of announcing the winner.
She said the award was an important one, both in terms of the money and the kudos of the prize itself, which was worthy of being placed on the book’s cover.
“The money is lovely, but for most writers, what they really want is the recognition,” she said.
“What you want is just something that tells the world this has happened. And, of course, it’s wonderful being shortlisted, but only if the world knows that you’ve been shortlisted. If it doesn’t, it’s not much help.”
She said Ms Burch had also conceded that highlighting the award would also be beneficial to ArtsACT.
Entries for the ACT Book of the Year prize 2014 close this Friday, August 1. For more information, visit arts.act.gov.au.