Why I believe industry awards are important

When I won my first award for creative writing in the 4th grade at Albany Public School No. 16, it was a moment of perplexion. I had made up a story and was receiving a gold star from my teacher, Mrs Sotasanti! Perplexion turned to elation and then acceptance. The award invalidated my nascent impostor syndrome. This African child could write as well as or even better than the offspring of New England suburbia’s white picket-fences.

Validation is at the core of awards. In the book publishing industry, there is so much labor behind the scenes, with people toiling late into the night to complete complex publishing processes that are not widely understood. What the public eventually sees is the quality of the end result. And good quality is key: it raises the standard for all of us, it makes all aspire to do even better.?

I remember the first industry awards I attended at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways. I had just taken a career turn from fashion retail into books and had no idea what to expect. In fashion, the industry awards I was used to were over-the-top glamorous and sponsored by some of Europe’s oldest designer houses. There was pageantry, performances by popular artists, fancy food, coiffed hairstyles (I had hair – uncoiffed - on my head in those days) and sometimes a surprise guest delivered by helicopter!

Not so, the combined publishers and booksellers AGM gala dinner. It was a contemplative, serious and professional affair, relieved only by PASA then-Chairperson Brian Wafawarowa reciting an indigenous proverb explained by a humorous story of an African fable … something about a dung beetle evoking Sisyphus, leading to laughter all round. That evening the award for Small Publisher of the Year went to one Beryl Lutrin, whose indefatigable efforts had developed the humble English workbook into a publishing wunderkind. The final highlight of the evening for me was a high-spirited Hentie Gericke gingerly taking to the dance floor after the evening’s formalities.

?Recognition by peers is transformative.

• Awards highlight individuals who, whatever their scale or local stature, have made significant contributions to the book sector. The recognition showcases their achievements and sets a benchmark for others. They can walk into their office, shed or garage workshop and share the shine with their team. The people at the back who are rarely honored by the spotlight of stardom get a little bit of gold shine on them.

• Awards are a net positive for morale in a winning organisation and a target to meet or beat for those that may be facing challenges.
• Awards highlight what it is that underpins the book sector’s value to society. Standards are set and a vision for the future of the industry becomes clearer with each award won.
• Awards provide an excuse for the dedicated and often reclusive members of the publishing community to network. This strengthens the shared commitments to developing South Africa as a reading nation.
• Healthy competition is good for readers. It inspires innovation and diversity of choice. The quality of books is raised for everyone as authors, publishers, distributors and booksellers are recognised, one award at a time.

?By Melvin Kaabwe

Disclaimer:

“The views expressed in this article or by any article or comment or blog associated with this article do not necessarily coincide with the views of PASA or any of its members. Authors invited to express their views are responsible for their content and also for having the necessary rights to submit any article for publication or re-publication (with permission), for not infringing any third-party rights, including copyright and intellectual property, privacy and publicity rights. Authors are also responsible and must avoid causing injury or prejudice beyond what is permitted in an open, free and democratic society and under freedom of expression principles applicable in South Africa by virtue of the genuine content they submit for publication and/or public dissemination.”