One of the most significant changes requires each shortlisted author to produce written pieces to be published in Avusa Media publications leading up to the announcement of the winners.
“The shortlisted authors will be requested to contribute between three and five articles to various sections of the
Sunday Times and other publications within the stable as part of the awards coverage. This excludes the interviews and extracts that form part of existing coverage in the
Sunday Times Lifestyle Magazine,” explains Tymon Smith, Books Editor at the paper.
Authors may also be asked to participate in
Sunday Times reader’s events during the period leading up to the final announcement. Shortlisted authors who are present in Franschhoek at time of the announcement will also be required to participate in a session at the festival focused on the shortlist, further garnering them well-deserved exposure.
There has been an additional change to the judging panel this year with three judges for each award rather than five as it has been in the past.
The requirements governing citizenship and residence remain the same. The limit on the number of titles that publishers can enter for consideration has increased and books that do not meet the criteria for the award will not be accepted onto the long-list.
“We want to avoid the unnecessary costs of having books sent to the Sunday Times that are then dismissed for consideration. We are now requesting that publishers submit a list of titles which they are considering for entry,” adds Smith.
These lists will be checked to see whether the titles meet the requirements and subsequently the books that are approved will need to be sent by courier to the
Sunday Times offices in Rosebank by 8 December.
“We anticipate that these additions will help to increase exposure for both the awards and the shortlisted authors, making for an even greater
Literary Awards celebration in 2011,” concludes Smith.