The Specsavers National Book Awards, or simply National Book Awards (previously known as Galaxy National Book Awards (2010-11); British Book Awards or Nibbles (1990-2009)) is a British literary award for the best UK writers and their works, as selected by an academy of members from the British book publishing industry. As of 2012-13, the awards are organised and governed by Agile Marketing and sponsored by Specsavers among others.
The shortlists are created by around 50 individuals from the National Book Awards Academy, who are drawn from retailer chain buyers, independent booksellers, wholesalers and trade press columnists. Winners are then chosen by the entire 750-strong National Book Awards Academy by way of vote. Each member gets one vote per category and the most votes wins. The criteria for a winning book is primarily the appeal, profile and sales impact of the title concerned.
From 2010-11, the headline sponsor was Galaxy. Prior to 2010, it was known as the British Book Awards and was promoted by the UK publishing industry trade journal Publishing News. It was also known as the Nibbies because of the golden nib-shaped trophy given to winners.
Famous quotes containing the words national and/or book:
“Thinking is the most unhealthy thing in the world, and people die of it just as they die of any other disease. Fortunately, in England at any rate, thought is not catching. Our splendid physique as a people is entirely due to our national stupidity.”
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900)
“Those who first introduced compulsory education into American life knew exactly why children should go to school and learn to read: to save their souls.... Consistent with this goal, the first book written and printed for children in America was titled Spiritual Milk for Boston Babes in either England, drawn from the Breasts of both Testaments for their Souls’ Nourishment.”
—Dorothy H. Cohen (20th century)