Every author’s dream is for their book to receive an award – but not for the reasons you might think. Yes, it is nice to know that your book is being honored for great writing, but these awards hold much more power. They’re gatekeepers of the literary world, deciding what books get shelf space, classroom time and media attention. In other words – they dictate what stories get read.
Winning a major award can be a book’s golden ticket to success. It spikes sales, locks down publishing deals and may even secure the best display space in stores. It’s not the prestige that writers envy most, it’s the stability awards provide. In an overcrowded and competitive market, an award secures you a sense of longevity.
The power extends even further. Book awards help the industry define what is seen as “worthy.” A prize-winning novel can single-handedly shape the types of stories that are told for the coming years. Publishers take notice of past winners, forcing readers to follow suit. This creates an endless cycle of influence, one that steers the culture of the literary world.
The power can be used for good, though. When book awards recognize talent from marginalized backgrounds, it shifts the spotlight to voices that are not heard as often. This can challenge the status quo and broaden what stories get told.
Readers may see these awards as easy ways to find the “best books.” Really, however, who gets the prize is a reflection of human choices, which are shaped by trends and politics. When you become aware that these awards don’t necessarily determine what is the best, you can seek out some overlooked reads and support stories that may fall outside the shifting spotlight.
Book awards shape reader’s taste, but they also carve out opportunity. So, the next time you see a “bestselling” sticker on the cover, ask yourself just why it is there. When you take the author’s success back into your own hands and read beyond the prize lists, you will realize your choices have power too.
