Comments on: A word on the Aurealis Awards

By: hrugaar

hrugaar — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 07:28:00 +0000

The sticker shows it won a prize. Even if the punter (customer) doesn’t know what the prize is, just the winning – or shortlisting for – is an added recommendation that someone thinks the book is worthwhile. :o)

By: Glenda Larke

Glenda Larke — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 01:09:00 +0000

I wonder if winning does boost sales? It would be interesting to find out. Obviously it does with big awards like the Man-Booker or Pulitzer, but somehow I wonder if a sticker on a book in Dymock’s saying “Aurealis Winner 2006” means anything at all to the average buyer.

By: hrugaar

hrugaar — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 00:03:00 +0000

I think it’s the seal of approval that is the morale-booster for writers. Seems to me that most writers crave validation to some extent, so even to be nominated for an award (let alone shortlisted, or win) is – as glenda said – encouraging because there are people out there who care about the work we all do, ad who want to give us some sort of recognition for doing it well. It’s the pat on the back that encourages one to keep working.

Though of course being on an award list probably does give a welcome little boost to sales figures – and any cash handout that comes with the accolade is likely to be welcome. :o)

By: Satima Flavell

Satima Flavell — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 13:14:00 +0000

Glenda, hang in there. You've got to win this gong one year and it's only a matter of time. I am blown away by the way your writing constantly gains depth with every book you write.

It's both encouraging as discouraging for me, as a tyro writer, to watch my faves getting better with every book. Encouraging because it shows me that the more one writes, the better one gets and discouraging because it's obvious I still have a long way to go:-)

Best of luck in the awards!

By: ink paw prints

ink paw prints — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 22:49:00 +0000

gl 🙂

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 22:23:00 +0000

Every time any award winners are announced, there's always talk of how unpredictable these things are, how little they mean etc, etc.

Isn't that the case of all awards and competitions?

In this case, and in my personal opinion, I didn't see a novel or story on the list that didn't deserve to be there. It made me think that we have a bunch of very talented writers in Australia.

Good luck.

By: Simon Haynes

Simon Haynes — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 21:45:00 +0000

Best of luck, Glenda. You’re in the hunt so that’s half the battle won.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:09:00 +0000

Well said!

But there is prize money this year, and they're hoping to increase it subsequently.

End of the day, it's a crap shoot. But you know I'm rooting for you to win so hard my teeth are hurting!