Ifs Quote by Robert Dessaix

Generally, literary prizes are significant not for who the winner is but the discussion they create around books.

— Richard Flanagan

In its conception the literature prize belongs to days when a writer could still be thought of as, by virtue of his or her…

— J. M. Coetzee

“Literary award competitions are like social media platforms, and judging panels are their users. Submitting a book to a literary award competition is like…

— Mouloud Benzadi

In the world of literature, I see prizes as more of a duty to the craft itself, rather than as something for the individual.

— Wole Soyinka

Literature is one of those realms in which giving out prizes can seem not merely dubious but positively obtuse.

— Ben Dolnick

“To understand subjectivity in literary awards, think of these competitions as social media platforms and judging panels as their users. A book you submit…

— Mouloud Benzadi

Literature, of course, is not a contest.

— Lorrie Moore

I'm not sure that the culture of literary prizes is always a good thing, but while there are literary prizes, it's nice to be…

— Sally Rooney

All prizes have a role, if they are run with integrity and with a clear focus on reading and quality writing. I don't think…

— Kate Mosse

Prizes aren't essential. What is essential is poetry itself, it's what is said, it is clarity, it's loyalty, those are the essential values, the…

— Maria Teresa Horta

I am not a contest-enterer by nature. But contests - and their entry fees - are often the main way literary journals raise money…

— Celeste Ng

I have become very critical of the whole book award system and could preach on that subject for quite a while, but I do…

— Ursula K. Le Guin