The 3rd Filipino Reader Con is taking place on 9 November 2013, and during the event, the winners of the 2nd Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards will be announced, and I just wanted to take the time to remind everyone that nominations are still open, and will remain so until August 23 ONLY. As stated in the rules, for 2013, the Filipino Readers’ choice awards will be open to books published from January to December 2012, in the following categories:
- Children’s picture book
- Chick lit
- Novel in English
- Novel in Filipino
- Comics / Graphic novels
- Short story anthology
- Essay anthology
- Poetry
I can’t stress enough how important it is that as many people as possible nominate (in Stage 1) and participate (during the voting in Stage 2). The Readers’ Choice Awards answers a dire need, because it’s the only annual Philippine literary award in which readers at-large can participate (that I know of — the Komikon Awards are not annual). One of the things I think that we local writers and publishers need to do better is connect with our readership and these awards are a great way for a wide bloc of readers to speak on a single stage (even while singing different tunes, so to speak), and the more people are on that stage, the better it will be at bridging that gap between writers, publishers, and readers.
So do take the time to nominate and vote for the categories that you read. It’s important.