HistoryMORE than 600 guests attended the inaugural British Book Trade Awards (as they were then known), held on the eve of the London Book Fair in the Grand Ballroom of the New Connaught Rooms in London in March 2004. Separated from its sister awards, The Galaxy British Book Awards, and held in the middle of the day for the first time, it had the feel of a 'family' occasion - that family of course being the industry itself, from its sales people and cover designers, to its editors, publishers and chief executives. Hosted by Tony Hawks, no stranger to bestsellers himself, there were the customary whoops of loyalty from the tables as each shortlist was announced. David Fickling, winning Editor of the Year, summed up the occasion beautifully: "I would have loved to say how brilliant a lot of the children's booksellers are - both in the independents and the chains - which would have been creepy but also true … It's just the biggest honour you could possibly get." 2005 saw the Awards moving out of London for the first time. In a joint venture with the Booksellers Association, the awards ceremony was held in Glasgow on the last night of Conference. Master of Ceremonies, comedian and broadcaster, Fred MacAulay, introduced the McNibbies to a preponderance of kilted booksellers and tartanned publishers and later, pipers in full regalia accompanied Ian Rankin on stage before he announced the Aldeburgh Bookshop as winner of the bookshop of the year. Other achievers in Scotland: the "Meet the Author" website, Waterstone's, Amanda Ross of Cactus TV, John Blake Publishing and the Orion Publishing Group winning Publisher of the Year for the first time. THE Purbeck Hall at the Bournemouth International Centre is often given over to ice skating for the tourists or tub-thumping speeches from politicians. In May 2006 though it was the impressive venue for the 17th annual industry awards. Picking up a Nibbie on behalf of Amazon, head of book buying Kes Nielsen reacted firmly when asked about future plans, " We'll continue to innovate in the way that we have for the last eight years and we'll go on being a very committed bookseller." Anna Dreda collected the Aurum Press Independent Bookshop award - she took over Wenlock Books three years earlier: "When you put customers together with books so many little miracles happen." Other winners included Susan Howe (Rights Professional), Joanna Prior (Marketing), Mark Lucas (Literary Agent) and this year's presenters, including Kate Mosse, Conn Iggulden, Jacqueline Wilson, Tony Parsons, could only add to the grace and glamour of the occasion. THE 2007 Awards were held in the Harrogate Conference Centre in a big hall which was miraculously transformed into a glitzy souk with billowing drapes, sparkling lights and table top decorations that included butterflies and feather boas (arise Dame Jacks Thomas) only matched by a TV in the foyer showing Liverpool FC in Europe which seemed to distract many of the 500 guests. Veteran publisher, Anthony Cheetham, picked up the award for Quercus as Lightning Source Small Publisher of the Year: "This time last year, we hadn't published a book. And this time next year, I'm hoping that we will no longer be eligible for this award." Editor, Simon Prosser (Hamish Hamilton), collecting the award he won jointly with Penelope Hoare (Chatto & Winus), remarked: "I always tell authors that awards are not important, but when you are up here you realise it is in fact a great thing." Penguin were crowned Publisher of the Year, a unanimous decision by the judging panel, while Random House won the Activair award for exporting for the third year running. 600 guests attended the 2008 British Book Industry Awards, held in the Ballroom of the Hilton Brighton Metropole on an almost tropical night following a sweltering BA Conference. The Awards were hosted for the second year running by Mark Billingham and the ceremony was notable for a number of speeches which highlighted the closeness of the book industry. Two independent booksellers were among the Nibbie-winners: Mr B's Emporium of Reading Delights in Bath won the Independent Bookseller award while Mostly Books in Abingdon won New Bookshop of the Year. The Vista Award for Industry Achievement went to Will Atkinson of Faber, a mark of the esteem in which he is held by the whole trade, not just his immediate work colleagues. "I want to thank Stephen Page (Faber CEO - and last year's recipient) for giving me the time and space to grow up. I sure as hell needed to." Foyles' director, Bill Samuel, took to the stage twice to accept the company's two bookselling awards. Cape director, Robin Robertson, collected his Nibbie in inimitable style, remarking drily "I suppose it's all downhill from here." |