Quill Award
くいるしょう
American consumer-voting literary award held from 2005–2007. Established to promote reading and literacy awareness.
Book of the YearDebut AuthorAudio BookChildren's Illustrated BookChildren's Chapter Book/Middle GradeYoung Adult/TeenGeneral FictionGraphic NovelMystery/Suspense/ThrillerPoetryRomanceScience Fiction/Fantasy/HorrorReligion/SpiritualityBiography/MemoirBusinessCookingHealth/Self-ImprovementHistory/Current Events/PoliticsHumorSportsCorporate Literacy Award
- Established
- 2005
- Organizer
- Quills Foundation (supported by multiple media sponsors such as Reed Business Information)
- Category
- Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
- Selection Method
- Vote
- Target
- Newcomer
- Frequency
- 1 per year
- Status
- Ended
Description
The Quill Award was an American literary award organized by the Quills Foundation, established in 2005 and held over three years from 2005 to 2007. Industry experts and the foundation's board selected nominees in each category, with winners ultimately decided by consumer (reader) votes (in 2007, only Book of the Year was decided by public vote, while other categories were selected by retailers and librarians). It was operated with support from media companies such as Reed Business Information, but activities ceased in February 2008, with remaining funds distributed to non-profits like First Book and Literacy Partners. The televised award ceremony faced criticism for being overly long and extravagant, with limited impact on sales.
Prize
- Main Prize
- Awards in each category (including Book of the Year). No consistently announced prize amounts confirmed.
- Quills Corporate Literacy Award (corporate literacy support award)
- Award ceremony and media exposure
Selection
Selection Process
| Stage | Judges | Pass Rate | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nomination | Industry experts and selection committee (Quills Foundation board) select nominees for each category | — | Approximately 5 works per category are nominated by the board (based on sponsor/industry lists) |
| Final selection (public vote) | Voting by readers and the public (consumer voting) | — | Winners in each category determined by public vote and announced at the ceremony (used for many categories in 2005–2006) |
| 2007 process modification | Book of the Year by public vote, other categories selected by retailers and librarians | — | In 2007, public voting limited to Book of the Year, other categories decided by retailers and librarians' selection |
Nomination
Judges
Industry experts and selection committee (Quills Foundation board) select nominees for each category
Announcement
Approximately 5 works per category are nominated by the board (based on sponsor/industry lists)
Final selection (public vote)
Judges
Voting by readers and the public (consumer voting)
Announcement
Winners in each category determined by public vote and announced at the ceremony (used for many categories in 2005–2006)
2007 process modification
Judges
Book of the Year by public vote, other categories selected by retailers and librarians
Announcement
In 2007, public voting limited to Book of the Year, other categories decided by retailers and librarians' selection
Criteria
- Target books must have been published in English in the previous year
- Must be included in at least one industry or sponsor list (nomination requirement)
- Support from readers (consumer voting) and contribution to literacy promotion are emphasized
Application Tips
Dos
- Confirm that the entry was published in English in the previous year
- Arrange registration with publishers or distributors to be listed in industry or sponsor lists
- Since reader voting is a key selection factor, promote awareness and support among readers (promotion, SNS, etc.)
- Strictly adhere to submission requirements and deadlines (if specified)
Don''ts
- Do not enter books that do not meet nomination requirements (English publication year, list inclusion, etc.)
- Do not overly expect significant sales or media exposure after winning (results were limited)
- Do not rely solely on flashy staging at the ceremony; enhance the appeal of the work itself
From Judges
- Clear and engaging storytelling that reaches readers is important
- Contributions to literacy and public value also lead to evaluation
- Meet industry nomination requirements and conduct publicity to gain reader votes
Related Awards
- Quill Awards (Australia)
- Pulitzer Prize
- National Book Award
- Goodreads Choice Awards
- Other American literary awards (Book of the Year, etc.)
Official Resources
https://web.archive.org/web/20130625022935/http://thequills.org/Past Winners
Nora Roberts
Winner
Diane Setterfield
Winner
Harper Lee
Winner
David Wiesner
Winner
Brian Selznick
Winner
Patricia McCormick
Winner
Cormac McCarthy
Winner
Scott McCloud
Winner
Laura Lippman
Winner
Kevin Young
Winner
Nora Roberts
Winner
Patrick James Rothfuss
Winner
Stephen Prothero
Winner
Walter Isaacson
Winner
Robert I. Sutton
Winner
Irma S. Rombauer
Winner
Jerome E. Groopman
Winner
Al Gore
Winner
Amy Sedaris
Winner
Michael Weinreb
Winner
Tyler Perry
Winner
Julie Powell
Winner
John Grogan
Winner
Laura Joffe Numeroff
Winner
Lemony Snicket
Winner
Christopher Paolini
Winner
Christopher Moore
Winner
Janet Evanovich
Winner
Maya Angelou
Winner
Nora Roberts
Winner
Diana Gabaldon
Winner
Thomas Dexter Jakes Sr.
Winner
John Grogan
Winner
Rachael Ray
Winner
Jim Henson
Winner
Al Gore
Winner
Tyler Perry
Winner
Holly Robinson Peete
Winner
Lauren Weisberger
Winner
J. K. Rowling
Winner
Elizabeth Kostova
Winner
Jon Stewart
Winner
Shel Silverstein
Winner
J. K. Rowling
Winner
Ann Brashares
Winner
Sue Monk Kidd
Winner
Janet Evanovich
Winner
Langston Hughes
Winner
Debbie Macomber
Winner
Christopher Moore
Winner
Deepak Chopra
Winner
Bob Dylan
Winner
Steven David Levitt
Winner
Rachael Ray
Winner
Greg Behrendt
Winner
David McCullough
Winner
Jon Stewart
Winner
Stewart O'Nan & Stephen King
Winner
Verizon Communications Inc.
Winner