In this week’s packed show we will be discussing Literary Prizes. How do the panel feel about the system of Prizes? AL Kennedy has just been awarded the Costa Prize and yet the book is a bleak read, not universally appealing. We discuss whether the system is fatally flawed from the outset and if it is possible to impartially judge these Prizes. And the panel look at the sales results after a book has been a prize-winner and the future career implications for the writer.

Also, Misery Lit, the relatively new best-sellers of the publishing industry. What is the appeal of these harrowing, shocking memoirs? And why do people love them? The panel discuss the dangers of life story accounts spiralling out of control and the race to be the most unpleasant yet.

This week’s guests are Dave Bartram, Berverly Gray, Richard Howse, Donna Ballman and Eve Harvey.

• If you have the right attitude then it’s a wonderful accolade if you get a prize and if you’re shortlisted but I don’t think your entire literary career should hinge on whether you get it or not. (Beverly)

• People may be made aware of a book they might not previously have looked at. (Dave)
• But the downside is it’s a very subjective opinion from a very small number of people. (Dave)
• More controversy involving prizes – Sean Taylor refused to accept the prize money after being awarded the Nestlé Booktrust Prize. If you were awarded the prize, how would you feel as authors? (Peter)
• It involves a lot of money and it will be difficult to replace. Have we lost a major children’s book prize? (Peter)
• You can’t let the corporations win can you? (Dave)
• It’s an interesting issue of ethics, isn’t it? (Dave)
• I think it comes down to, as an author, whether you’re willing to put your money where your mouth is. (Beverly)
• Misery Lit – why do people love it? (Peter)
• I don’t know if it’s an extension of ‘well my life stinks but at least I’m not living this.’ (Beverly)
• It’s rubberneck publishing isn’t it? (Dave)
• What worries me is that we’re raising a generation that doesn’t know the difference between fiction and non-fiction. (Donna)
• The fact that they’re getting more and more extreme, isn’t it symptomatic of compassion fatigue? (Dave)

Recommendations from the panel this week are:-

Peter recommends : Beowulf at Imax cinemas. An excellent adventure.

Beverly recommends : National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Just as much fun as the first one, pure escapism.

Dave recommends: The Dice Man by Luke Rhinehart. This book has some of the most fantastic vignettes I have ever read. It’s a great book.

Eve recommends: Prince Rupert’s Teardrop by Lisa Glass. A multi-layered fabulous book.

Donna recommends: On Writing by Stephen King. It gives some very specific advice on writing that’s quite unique.

Richard recommends: No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy. Brilliant characters, great story and I didn’t see any of the twists coming.

Download the show as mp3 file

Photo by Pensiero

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