From: Norma Jean <nsawicki>
Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2005 11:14:02 -0500

Beth and KT have raised an interesting question regarding the Sibert Award...does it have an impact? To a publisher, an impact means sales...does the award bring attention to books that librarians will then buy if they did not do so when the book(s) were originally published? The Newbery/Caldecott Awards have a significant impact on sales which is one of the many reasons the awards are valued by publishers. It is critical/crucial for every single librarian to realize what she/he does, or does not buy, has an enormous impact on what is/is not published. So...yes, it would be terrific to hear from editors about whether or not the Sibert Award impacts sales but as a former publisher, it would be wonderful, as well as helpful, to hear from librarians...the market... as well. Do you buy books that the win the Sibert Awards...why, or why not? One wishes the "why not" folk will not be shy/uncomfortable, and will respond...it would be a terrific learning curve for everyone be they writers, editors, other librarians, reviewers, past and current members of the committee, etc. In my experience, unless a publisher knows a librarian well, librarians tend to be polite when publishers ask hard questions but publishers know from their sales figures whether or not a certain kind of book is/is not selling and if one has tremendous faith in the genre or the book, one asks hard questions in an attempt to learn why the book(s) failed. To a publisher, terrific reviews and awards are welcomed and valued but ultimately, an editor is judged on the bottom line. So...does the Sibert Award impact purchasing decisions? Norma Jean
Received on Mon 11 Jul 2005 11:14:02 AM CDT