The Bookseller.com

8th October 2008

Anna Richardson

Anna Richardson is The Bookseller's media editor. Anna's media blog will provide a weekly insight into the big books featuring in the media.

A night at the Nibbies

11.04.08

This week's Nibbies were meant to be a sleeker, more commercial affair: A slimmed down number of categories, no more faffing about or waiting for a 11pm three-courser, and a new, illustrious "book of the year" announcement to heighten excitement.

The red carpet entrance and extended ballroom reception, complete with circulating canapés, were certainly a hit: more space for fans to corner favourites--turning up at the same time as Jacqueline Wilson certainly gives you a flavour of what true adoration is, but leaves you ducking the screeching attention of kids, moms and teachers--and more time for gossip and catch-up for us industry-types in the ballroom.

Unfortunately, it seemed that Amamda Ross's eagerness to corner the VIPs for this Sunday's Nibbies broadcast left no opportunity for discreet rubber-necking - catching glimpses of the rarefied B-list universe, while conversing on the latest p.o.d. quandaries, was always a powerful draw (for me). Last year, I get a whole 10 minutes ogling Gordon Ramsay and Abi Titmuss; this year, I get a fleeting glimpse of Geri Halliwell's fairy dress disappearing up the stairwell and Katie Price's beehive, as she's escorted past.

But then--post ballroom--it's not really about the glitter. Yes, it's mildly amusing to hear Geri talk of her favourite classics, Winnie the Pooh among them, and Alan Carr camping it up, but it's the look on Kim Edwards' face as she wins the popular fiction award, the roar of applause for Francesca Simon, as she beats Price to the children's book of the year prize, and J K Rowling name-checking Barry Cunningham that were my highlights of the evening.

The ceremony was more pacey, as promised, finishing at a respectable 9.30 p.m., and again leaving plenty of time for post-award back-slapping and hob-nobbing.

I don't think organisers need to persist with branding the Nibbies as the Oscars of the book world. Being the literary academy awards is not what the nibbies are about. Rather than whisking of the celebs for a pre-ceremony TV shenanigans, let them mix with the good and glorious of the publishing industry as in previous years. Although, I would quite like to know where Rowling's dress was from, so I will tune in to the ceremony broadcast on Sunday, hoping Amanda asked in true Oscars fashion: "Sooo, who are you wearing tonight?"

 

THE NIGHT IN PICTURES:

Wilson mania: Jacqueline Wilson arrives on the red carpet, to a chorus of calls from her numerous fans.

 

 

 

 

 

A bit of Spice: Geri Halliwell enjoys her time with her "fellow writers" in the room, as she presents one of the awards.

 

 

 

 

 

Who's that dress: J K Rowling remembers the early days of winning her first Nibbie, as she picks her fifth, the outstanding achievement award.

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