I see two different issues here, one of which is bigger than the prize money can single handedly address. First is the concern I see for the production of excellent literature by budding authors and, second, engagement of a wide readership within and outside of Nigeria with the excellent books.
if the award criteria do not include sale figures for the books, it is not really fair to criticize the NLNG award committee for spotting great books and authors whether or not their books are in the market.
However, I agree that excellent authorship should be linked to wide readership. I agree that should the NLNG administrators feel able to assist in this respect, they should do their best. However, its more in the terrain of those who administer the country's education and culture. Many publishers also need to be more innovative about what they do to create a readership and reach out to them in creative manners. I dont see what the NLNG has done wrong really, here.
Elsewhere, the mere shortlisting of a book for such prizes should catapult it into top sale spots on Amazon or Chapters. Where things work normally, the NLNG's choice and publication of a short list of possible winners is big enough a service to the literary community for the visibility it brings the books, the authors, the publishers and the critics. Unfortunately, not so for Nigeria, or so it seems.
if the award criteria do not include sale figures for the books, it is not really fair to criticize the NLNG award committee for spotting great books and authors whether or not their books are in the market.
However, I agree that excellent authorship should be linked to wide readership. I agree that should the NLNG administrators feel able to assist in this respect, they should do their best. However, its more in the terrain of those who administer the country's education and culture. Many publishers also need to be more innovative about what they do to create a readership and reach out to them in creative manners. I dont see what the NLNG has done wrong really, here.
Elsewhere, the mere shortlisting of a book for such prizes should catapult it into top sale spots on Amazon or Chapters. Where things work normally, the NLNG's choice and publication of a short list of possible winners is big enough a service to the literary community for the visibility it brings the books, the authors, the publishers and the critics. Unfortunately, not so for Nigeria, or so it seems.
From: "Ikhide" <xokigbo@yahoo.com>
To: "Toyin Falola" <USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com>, Ederi@yahoogroups.com, krazitivity@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2013 8:38:54 PM
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - The NLNG Prize for literature: Honoring phantom books, laziness, and mediocrity
Of the shortlisted three books, only Ipadeola's book is available for sale or review anywhere I can think of. My friends are hunting for the other two books. I am sure the books exist, how else would the judges have judged them worthy for consideration for $100,000? As things currently stand, this is not a literary prize; this is a lottery, a jackpot for one lucky writer. Let me just say this: It is quite simply appalling, no, disgraceful, that the NLNG Prize is in danger of being given to a book that no one else but the judges has seen.
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To: "Toyin Falola" <USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com>, Ederi@yahoogroups.com, krazitivity@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2013 8:38:54 PM
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - The NLNG Prize for literature: Honoring phantom books, laziness, and mediocrity
The final shortlist for the 2013 NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature is out. Sincere Congratulations to the lucky three: Tade Ipadeola (The Sahara Testaments), Amu Nnadi (through the window of a sandcastle), and Promise Ogochukwu (Wild Letters). This year, the prize is for poetry and the purse remains a whopping $100,000.
Of the shortlisted three books, only Ipadeola's book is available for sale or review anywhere I can think of. My friends are hunting for the other two books. I am sure the books exist, how else would the judges have judged them worthy for consideration for $100,000? As things currently stand, this is not a literary prize; this is a lottery, a jackpot for one lucky writer. Let me just say this: It is quite simply appalling, no, disgraceful, that the NLNG Prize is in danger of being given to a book that no one else but the judges has seen.
- Ikhide
Stalk my blog at www.xokigbo.com
Follow me on Twitter: @ikhide
Join me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ikhide
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
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