And the winner is ... Duracell? What do batteries have to do with literary awards? Who snubbed the Nobel? Why on earth would anyone set themselves a challenge to read the entire Booker Prize shortlist?
Find these answers and more in our examination of literary awards. And in the spirit of prize culture, let us know whether you think we deserve a gold star.
Find it on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts.
Part 1:
POD-33-Part-1.mp3
Part 2:
POD-33-Part-2.mp3
And the winner isn’t: on the inherent stupidity of literary prizes - Overland literary journal
The Power of Participation Trophies | Psychology Today Australia
Global Prize Culture: The Truth About Literary Prizes: Unveiling the Power of Literary Awards
From a publishing perspective: The impeccable taste of a publisher: Literary prizes and cultural value from a publishing perspective - Steiner - 2025 - Orbis Litterarum - Wiley Online Library
Publisher stopping entering its books for awards because of cost: The hidden costs that threaten Australian literary awards
Betting on the Booker prize: How Prizes Work in the Literary Economy | Giramondo Publishing
The return of Helen Demidenko: from literary hoaxer to political operator | Jeff Sparrow | The Guardian
Peter Craven · Diary: On the Demidenko Affair
And the winner is … | State Library of New South Wales
Book Awards, Bias and Balance
Golding's voyage ends without landfall | William Golding | The Guardian
'I have to turn the prize against itself': John Berger's 1972 Booker Prize speech in full | The Booker Prizes
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/apr/09/helen-dewitt-turns-down-windham-campbell-prize-unable-promote
Authors/creators