Friday, April 8, 2011

2011 Indie Lit Awards--Suggestions Needed!

It probably comes as no surprise that I'm a huge fan of the Indie Lit Awards.  I think it's the best idea since...well, since book blogging began?  These awards are like the ultimate opportunity to give a book the recognition it deserves.  I was honored to be on the judging panel for the Fiction category last year, and am thrilled to have the chance to act as director this year.  We have a great team, too...check them out!

Carrie (Nomad Reader)
Meg (Write Meg)


Also, get to know Wallace at Unputdownables, because she came up with the idea and she's fabulous.  And if you don't know Ti at Book Chatter, (who is co-chair of the awards,) get to know her too--you won't regret it!  The awards have added some new categories this year, so you can broaden your reading/nominating horizons:
Biography/Memoir
GLBTQ
Fiction
Mystery
Non-Fiction
Poetry
Speculative Fiction

So, What Can You Do??
Read, Read, Read!  It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it!  Nominations will open in September (not as far away as it sounds) so now is the time to be reading some of those newly published books.  Since some of us are better at finding those new & notable books than others, I thought I would take Trish's idea (from eclectic/eccentric..go there to add to the Speculative Fiction list!) and ask all of you to help compile a list.  What new books have you intrigued or hopeful?  What new books have you loved? Fill out the form below and we'll begin making a list!  Also, head over to the site for the Indie Lit Awards and explore: check out the FAQs and grab a button to put on your blog!  Don't forget to check back for an updated list to see what books people are talking about--you just may find your next read (or even a favorite worth nominating!)

(Please note that this list is for reference sake only, these are not actual nominations.  Also, a book must have been published for the first time in 2011 to be eligible, all entries will be double-checked for eligible release date and applicable genre...if you don't see a book on this list that you suggested, chances are there's a reason.  If you're concerned that I didn't receive it, feel free to email me at melody[dot]spano[at]gmail[dot]com to verify.)


Fiction of 2011 ...a list in progress
  [...here's a link to the Book Blogger Search Engine--find out what bloggers are saying about these titles!]
The Lover's Dictionary, David Levithan--released January 4
The Weird Sisters, Eleanor Brown--released January 20
The Fates Will Find Their Way, Hannah Pittard--released February 1
The Illumination, Kevin Brockmeier--released February 1
Swamplandia!, Karen Russell--released February 1
The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore, Benjamin Hale--released February 2
13, rue Thérèse, Elena Mauli Shapiro--released February 2
Open City, Teju Cole--released February 8
West of Here, Jonathan Evison--released February 15
The London Train, Tessa Hadley--released February 22
The Paris Wife, Paula McLain--released February 22
The Sweet Relief of Missing Children, Sarah Braunstein--released February 28
The Tiger's Wife, Tea Obreht--released March 8
The Four Ms. Bradwells, Meg Waite Clayton--released March 22
Miss Entropia and the Adam Bomb, George Rabasa--released April 5
The Uncoupling, Meg Wolitzer--released April 5
In Zanesville, JoAnn Beard--released April 7
The Bird Sisters, Rebecca Rasmussen--released April 12
The Sojourn, Andrew Krivak--released April 19
The Summer Without Men, Siri Hustvedt--released April 26
Caleb's Crossing, Geraldine Brooks--released May 3
Bright Before Us, Katie Arnold-Ratliff--released May 10
The First Husband, Laura Dave--released May 12
State of Wonder, Ann Patchett--released June 1
Ten Thousand Saints, Eleanor Henderson--released June 7
Untold Story, Monica Ali--released June 28
The Lantern, Deborah Lawrenson--release date August 9
The Art of Fielding, Chad Harbach--release date September 7
The Family Fang, Kevin Wilson--release date October 9
The Marriage Plot, Jeffrey Eugenides--release date October 11

The Lover's Dictionary: A NovelThe Weird SistersThe Fates Will Find Their Way: A NovelThe Illumination: A NovelSwamplandia!The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore13, rue Thérèse: A NovelOpen City: A NovelWest of HereThe London Train (P.S.)The Paris Wife: A NovelThe Sweet Relief of Missing Children: A NovelThe Tiger's Wife: A NovelThe Four Ms. Bradwells: A NovelMiss Entropia and the Adam BombThe UncouplingIn Zanesville: A NovelThe Bird Sisters: A NovelThe SojournThe Summer Without Men: A NovelCaleb's Crossing: A NovelBright Before Us (A Tin House New Voice)The First Husband: A NovelState of WonderTen Thousand Saints: A NovelUntold Story: A NovelThe Lantern: A NovelThe Art of Fielding: A NovelThe Family Fang: A NovelThe Marriage Plot: A Novel




6 comments:

  1. Fantastic! Thanks, Melody! I'm so glad you are back with us for a second year. And I love that you and Trisha are implementing these lists on your blogs. It can be really hard to find out about the newest books on the market if they haven't come out with a huge marketing campaign behind them.

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  2. I'm so going to participate this year. This was one of the reasons I started my own blog - so that I could participate in the Indies.

    I'm going to read every book on your Literary Fiction list this year. Taking the button now too.

    Yah!!!!!

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  3. Wallace, I hope that people put it to use...I feel like I need help finding the new books too! I'm so glad Trisha had the idea!

    Belle, I love that you support the awards! ...early next year you'll be able to put your name on a list to be considered for helping with the 2012 awards, so keep an eye out for that!

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  4. I've submitted two, and I'm bookmarking the form so I can come back and submit more!

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  5. Thanks for helping out, Swapna! When I looked into the two books you submitted, they seemed to have been published prior to 2011 in some other edition--do you happen to know if that information is correct? I certainly don't want to exclude eligible books...

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  6. So happy to have found you - from Aths

    I can't wait for the mystery lists

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I'd love to hear what you have to say, leave a comment!