Ultra-short list 'unfair to authors'

A fiction shortlist of three books does not do justice to the abundance of quality New Zealand writing, say authors, booksellers and publishers.

The New Zealand Post Book Awards were revamped in 2009, and feature a dramatic reduction in the number of finalists overall: 16 this year, as opposed to 26 last year.

Shortlists for fiction and poetry now contain only three books each, while the shortlists for best first book have been scrapped.

Author and bookseller Mary McCallum described the fiction shortlist as "stingy" and said it "fails to celebrate literature".

"That there's only three novels worthy of being shortlisted - that's complete rubbish."

Novelist Rachael King said it was a shame, "when there was so much good fiction published, to recognise only three".

Graham Beattie, former bookseller, publisher and judge of the awards, said New Zealand did not have multiple literary prizes or ways for authors to achieve recognition.

"There's only one set of awards in New Zealand, and this is them.

"It's such a pity because it's only three books that are going to get any exposure."

Mr Beattie said major international awards, such as the Booker and Orange prizes, usually had a shortlist of six or seven, drawn from a longlist of 12 or 13.

Fergus Barrowman, publisher at Victoria University Press, said being shortlisted for a major award gave writers "a major career boost", and not just in terms of sales.

"It opens up opportunities. Overseas publishers will look at their books a little bit more keenly, they get festival bookings, they get tours, they have a greater chance of getting grants and scholarships, they get real promotional leverage for their next book."

Mr Barrowman said shortlisting more rather than fewer books generated better publicity, as it facilitated public debate about the finalists.

"Having more books gives a bit more room for people to have opinions and make guesses and debate it in public."

Mr Barrowman said reducing the number of books shortlisted was nonsensical, as the number of "really good and promising writers" was steadily growing.

Booksellers New Zealand chief executive Lincoln Gould said the number of finalists reflected the proportion of books published in New Zealand.

More than 100 non-fiction books were submitted to the awards this year, compared with only 26 works of fiction.

However, the awards advisory committee has said it will consider reviewing the new format after the first year.