Hey cHEwY gum gums!
The CBCA Notables for their Book of the Year awards are being revealed tonight. I’ll be going to Dymocks George St for the CBCA NSW event, Night of the Notables, to celebrate the announcement.
I’ve had two CBCA Notable books in the past. Punchlines in 2012 and The Other Christy back in 2016. I’ll have my fingers crossed that Don’t Follow Vee might be my third notable. It’s not the only part of me that is in knots. My stomach is tied up too. I always have this uneasy feeling of nerves and excitement around this time.
I wonder if other authors and illustrators feel the same way?
I’ve always viewed awards as a bonus, a little surprise that keeps me going on my cHEwY journey. I’ve had my fair share, so I’ve been blessed. That’s why I applaud my friends who have won awards, because they genuinely feel surprised and humbled in their acceptance.
Yet my thoughts swing between ‘yeah, awards are a bonus’ to ‘wouldn’t it be nice?’ Dare I say, sometimes it treads along the dark side of ‘it should have been me…’
Someone once said that The Other Christy should have been on that Younger Readers shortlist in 2016. I don’t disagree haha. But, I did get on the shortlist of the Adelaide Literature Awards. Surprise!
Now, authors don’t create something with awards in mind. Yes, there are some books that have subjects and themes that may be seen as ‘award-bait’ but there’s still no guarantee that your book is going to get a nod of achievement.
But on the flip side, shouldn’t you want to strive to be the best author out there? Shouldn’t you aim for that PM’s Literary Award? Yeah, of course! You want a write a book to be proud of. However, recognition for your work comes in all kinds of ways. It could be an email, or a smile of a fan whose book you’ve just signed. Then again, awards attract fame and book sales. It may kick-start your career…
No matter what happens, my main focus will always be writing and working on the next book. If I see Don’t Follow Vee on that notables list then I’ll be quietly chuffed. If it’s not there, then I’ll quickly try to find my author friends books’ so I can congratulate them in person or via the socials.
I will allow myself to feel a bit disappointed though. It could be a tiny pang on the night or much later on. If you don’t feel anything for your books, you might as well not have created it at all.
O.W
