A
few preliminary comments:
The Rules of Survival is a 2006 National Book Award finalist. Frabjous day! I'm taking my new digital camera to New York for the festivities. The plan is to post photos and details while I'm there.
First, however, I must report that I have read all the other nominees in my category and, to quote Louis Sachar's daughter when she reported on the 1998 National Book Award contenders to her father, "It's bad news, Dad." In short, these books are amazing. However, my reader self (as opposed to my egotistic writer self) was delighted. And even my egotistic writer self is honored to be among them. The full list of nominees in the Young People's Literature category follows.
- The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol. One: The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson
- Sold by Patricia McCormick
- Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt
- The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin
- American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
The honorable judges this year are: Margaret Bechard (chair), Patricia McKissack, Linda Sue Park, Benjamin Alire Saenz, and Jude Watson. The National Book Awards are always selected by a panel of one's fellow writers.
My travel is all courtesy of my publisher, Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Putnam. (My, that sounds very advertisement-y.)
Monday, Nov. 13, 2006:
Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2006:
Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006:
Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006:
Monday, Nov. 13
Link to Nancy's photos and comments for the day.
Overview of the day:
- Regular work day at Vestmark, where I am a technical writer.
- Go to airport, catch 7 pm shuttle to NYC.
- Arrive NYC, go to hotel.
- Scrounge dinner.
- Sleep! Will I really? Stay tuned.
Tuesday, Nov. 14
Link to Nancy's photos and comments for the day.
Overview of the day:
- 10:30 am, National Book Awards Teen Press Conference at The
Donnell Library Center of the New York Public Library.
Each year, the National Book Foundation sponsors the “National Book Awards Teen Press Conference” in partnership with the Donnell Library Center in midtown Manhattan. This event is attended by 250 young people from New York City junior high and high schools. The participating students receive the finalists' books in advance, and prepare questions based on their reading. This is a unique opportunity for them to play the role of a reporter. Additionally, the students receive a professionally-designed press kit with information about each finalist and their books.
- 11:45 am to 1 pm, Book signing.
- 5:30 pm, medal reception for all finalists, New School University.
- 6:15 pm, medal ceremony.
- 7:00 - 9:30 pm, public readings from all finalists, New School Auditorium.
Robert Polito will introduce Nicole Krauss who will give the opening remarks.There will be five groups of four readers, with one reader from each nominated category. Each finalist will read for 5 minutes. The group will be asked to stand and face the audience prior to the reading
Group One
Gene Luen Yang
Annie Wedekind (for Louise Glück)
Peter Hessler
Dana SpiottaGroup Two
Martine Leavitt
Nathaniel Mackey
George Packer (for Lawrence Wright)
Jess WalterGroup Three
Patricia McCormick
Ben Lerner
Timothy Egan
Richard PowersFive Minute Intermission
Group Four
Nancy Werlin
H.L. Hix
Rajiv Chandrasekaran
Ken KalfusGroup Five
M.T. Anderson
James McMichael
Taylor Branch
Mark Z. DanielewskiNicole Krauss’s Closing Remarks
Wednesday, Nov. 15
Link to Nancy's photos and comments for the day.
Overview of the day:
- 9:15 am. Writing date with Libba
Bray. Yes, it is my intention to do my daily quota of writing
on the very day of the National Book Award ceremony. Libba's on a
frantic deadline. Hah!
- 6:30 pm. New
York Marriott Marquis, 57th National Book Awards Ceremony and
Benefit Dinner. The event is a black-tie benefit to help fund the
Foundation’s educational programs. They are expecting more than
700 guests and 100 members of the international and national media.
Dinner Chairman: Deborah E. Wiley
Master of Ceremonies: Fran LebowitzSpecial presentations from the Foundation to:
Adrienne Rich - The Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters
Robert Silvers – The Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community
Thursday, Nov. 16
Link to Nancy's photos and comments for the day.
Overview of the day:
- Breakfast with friends.
- Go to airport, catch shuttle home to Boston