7 July 2012

Literary Awards and the ideas that define us

In the Year of Reading, the first thing our new premier did was scrap the Queensland Premier's Literary Awards. I don't want to get into the politics of this, let me just say I think it was a sad and ill advised decision.  Luckily though a committee of people working in the arts and literature have banded together to keep the awards going. They need help with fundrising and have created a fundraising page, which is here: www.pozible.com/qla

I am proud to tell you that Penguin has entered my book in the non-fiction category of these awards this year. It won't win; previous non-fiction winners are much more formal and literary books than mine. Nevertheless, I believe these awards are important for all of us. It says we place importance on the written word and ideas that define who we are, and not just on the commercial systems that make us prosperous.

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10 comments

  1. Hi Rhonda

    I was just visiting your blog to click on the Forum link as the link in My Favourites wasn't working but I think the Forum has been down for a while. I just noticed that you had posted today and I was quite surprised to see a new post. I can see you are disappointed about the Awards being dropped but congratulations on your book being entered. Your post made me think about reading. I work in a school library and reading is alive and well there and it is great to see the little ones having their library class each week and borrowing their books. Bookweek is coming up and it is always an exciting time for the students. I hope your book does well.

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  2. Well said, we really need to keep encouraging the written word in all it's forms. A sense of pride can be found through awards of any kind.

    Well done on your book being entered into these particular awards and I hope they continue to be.

    Sue xx

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  3. Hi Rhonda,
    you are so right. I think it is a shame that governments all over the world scrap things like this. Here in The Netherlands a lot of cultural things have been scrapped too. The money that used to be given to musea and all kinds of other cultural projects has been cut off. They try to safe money this way, but look at what gets lost. I think it is a great shame !!

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  4. Congratulations! You're a winner already!

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  5. Hi Rhonda,

    wonderful that your book has been chosen. I wouldn't be so sure about not winning, your are a superb writer.

    Enjoy the weekend :)

    Madeleine

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  6. Congratulations!! They made a great choice.

    Can't agree more with your assessment of the decision to scrap the literary awards!

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  7. Congratulations Rhonda! Your book is very deserving of nomination, and of winning!

    I'm glad to hear people are getting together to keep the award going. It shows that even if our politicians dismiss literature, our citizens haven't just yet. Gives me hope. :-)

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  8. I can't believe they have scrapped the awards...just not forward thinking there!
    But congrats on having your book nominated Rhonda...and seriously don't underestimate it's worth and reach in this new climate....you may be surprised...of course we would all vote you the winner hands down!!!
    The written word is indeed so very important x

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  9. This is very sad (but congratulations on your nomination). Some recent studies have shown that the more people read (novels in particular) the greater their emotional intelligence. The scrapping of this award seems to be a decision that is very much based on business ... when isn't humanity more important?! People often give the excuse 'it's a business decision' and no one questions it - because 'business decisions' are accepted, yet when you ask most people want they want for their children, particularly when they are first born, most parents say they would like them to develop a sense of well-being (although various phrases are used to describe this). I don't know of any parent who says, when their child is small "and when they grow up I hope they have good business sense" (as their number one priority)... yet this is often the top priority in government and other institutions that hold power. It seems illogical to me.

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