On Friday I was delighted when the school library officer at my dayjob showed me her newly-arrived copy of Toppling. Yes, of course I’ve seen my book-baby before, and love it – but this is the first copy I’ve seen with the gorgeous bronze sticker which says it is a shortlisted book in the CBCA Children’s Book of the Year Awards. I was so excited I had to snap a photo just to prove it was real and to show my family, my friends, complete strangers – and you.
Pretty, isn’t it? Being shortlisted is pretty cool, and if you are here reading this blog there’s a pretty good chance you ‘get’ why I’m so excited about it. But I have to admit, some people seem a bit surprised that I’m so thrilled ‘just’ to be shortlisted. After all, I haven’t won anything – just been put on a list with five other books. So, here goes – five cool things about being shortlisted.
1. Validation. Making it to the shortlist says to me that people – judges, in fact, who are passionate about children’s books – like MY book. It’s not just me and my mum.
2. Exposure. As an author, I am well aware of the name to make a name for myself. It sells books in stores, and manuscripts to publishers. Being on a shortlist means more people get to know my name – and my books.
3. Sales. Being on a shortlist, especially this one, translates directly into sales. Because Children’s Bookweek and the CBCA Awards are well established and respected, schools tend to buy, display, read and discuss shortlisted books. And bookstores tend to stock them, knowing that they will sell.
4. Kids reading my book. Because of number three above, more kids will have the opportunity to read my book which is, after all, why I wrote it in the first place. Nothing makes me happier than to think of a child reading one of my books.
5. Stickers! Okay, so maybe I should have outgrown having stickers on my work back in primary school – but I didn’t. When I see a copy of one of my books with a pretty sticker on it, I have to touch it (and photograph it, squeee about it, smile a lot…)
So, yes, I’m pretty excited about my book baby being on that list. Thanks Chris for showing me the sticker!
Thanks for this! I was just shortlisted for the Scholastic Asian Book Award, in the top 10 of 144 entries, and while I didn't win, reaching the shortlist was so very exciting. The validation struck me most, and the four other cool things you mention are just as important. Thanks for this!
lol, thanks Megan. i love the thought of a whole school of kids waiting to read MY books 🙂
insert 'other' than you and…
Yep Sally I think there is a FEW more people who love your books than you and your mum! I have a whole Junior School full of students putting reserves on Toppling and Pearl!