To feel the Nervous Energy of the finalists and the champagne would be flowing. The kirkus prize isnt what you may imagine when you think of literary award ceremonies. There is no formal banquet or assigned seating. It is a Cocktail Party with a glamour and energy all on its own. Last year when Entertainment Weekly wrote about the major literary awards they referred to the kirkus prize as golden globes, fun and unpredictable and tonight we want to share that energy with you at home and give you a glimpse of what it is like to attend the ceremony in person. To that end our editor at large, megan, caught up with some of this years finalists so we could connect with them as as we were all at a party together. You can view the full conversations on kirkus. Com, but here is a sneak peek. A typical year we would all be gathered at the Austin Public Library for the ceremony, a Cocktail Party beforehand, everybody mingling. I wanted to ask whe could we find you as a finalis before the award ceremony. For myself you can usually find me by the many dessert table. [laughter] we will go around where will we find you before the ceremony . Attended the ceremony in 2018 so i know the library has an amazing deck ea and that is what i found out is that it was lovely to visit with the other offers andas close to the bar. [laughter] so thats where you will find me. What is the highest compliment a reader could pay to you . One of the bigst compliments i like to receive about a book is a weird one but when they tell me at the end they feel aittle bit bereft. I like when they tell me that the characters felt like they were concern and the weight about what their life looks like now or where they were going. When i read, certainly the books im drawn to our where the characters feel like they no longer belong to the author but theyre a companion or under my care, that for me is sort of how i like to engage so one of the biest things i love is when people write to me and say where are they, how arehey, whats going on with them. For me that is my favorite complement. After the ceremony every year i host the annual karaoke in a private room in austin texas. Would you come to karaoke yes or no and if yes, what would you saying. Absolutely and it would be something from the soundtrack, oldschool Olivia Newton john [inaudible] i would be willing to sing but i dont think you would want me to. If i had to pick, i love the 60s, chicago and im a big fan of billy joel. How did you hear the news and how did you feel . I have won the award before and because of that i think i recognize this is one of the few awards that to me at least its strictly the integrity of the work. A couple years back there was for a book that didnt sell but i thought that it was the best work that id ever written from the integrity of the actual work and they honored that with a big deal for me and because of that i am grateful because it is the topic in this it feels like kirkus honors the work for the writing like a holistic view, the subject matter and the story and the writing of it and i dont know if every award does that so for that i am always honored by kirkus. The kirkus prize recognizes achievements in writing and illustrations. That recognition comes in the form of one of the richest literary awards in the world. 50,000 into three categories. Fiction, nonfiction and Young Readers literature. In addition to 50,000, each winner is awarded a trophy. The trophy is a commissioned art piece created in london. Every detail is handmade from the porcelain pages of the book to the handblown glass. We create these each year as a gift of appreciation for the winners contribution to the industry, the art and our world. This year perhaps more than any other, the contribution of great literature is profound. When the days are dark, books offer an escape and when we need understanding books offer a brilliant new perspective. The greatest writing, the kind we celebrate tonight it gives us the opportunity to experience the world through anothers eyes. Its one of the most powerful acts of empathy and when have we needed empathy more than this year. In the conversation megan had with the fiction of finalists, a part of the conversation not seen in the short preview tonight, theres a discussion of a compliment paid. An npr critic said her book will destroy you and meant that as a good thing. To me that phrase captures the power of this art. 2020 has done a fine job destroying us in real life. But the books that reach the level of the kirkus finalists touch on the exact feelings that need attention. When a book destroys us, grief we feel in the abstract finds a channel. The writers we celebrate tonight give all the complex feelings we share in 2020, loneliness, purpose, love, community and loss, a safe place to be felt and explored. Last year our judges awarded the prizes to the nickel blaze that went on to win the pulitzer prize, how we fight for our lives, who made the night unforgettable, and new kid by jerry kraft which went on to become the first graphic novel in history to win the newberry. Megan connected with them to hear about that experience. Lets take a look. What was your experience that night like . Total shock because i knew kids like the book but i remember going on the plane and i felt like i was going up against alexander and nelson and thomas and like up against the avengers. At the last i was like let me just jot down a few notes just in case i when but i wrote stuff on little postit notes. Before that it was like especially graphic novels are sometimes not taken seriously so i got to the event and i didnt even get a table. I was standing in the back with my editor expecting to post. When they called my name it was very surreal. I was standing by you when you were announced and it remains one of my favorite memories. What was that experience like for you . It is pretty overwhelming. It happened to be about the kirkus and texas book festival halfway into the book tour for how we fight our lives, so that is a surreal experience where you are in one mode and then you are swept into the glamour and the glitz and do you want a glass of champagne and all of that of a kind of award ceremony. I want to ask how you received the news and what the news was. [inaudible] lovely to see great art being recognized. Tom a hussey coats i think one that year and [inaudible] i remember going to the hotel to write because i was working on it and [inaudible] and working to pay my mortgage but it worked out. I did get it on time so working and hanging out with great people like you. Five years ago i couldnt make it because i was on tour in germany for the metal boys but my list got cut short. I had come back to new york and spend time. [inaudible] it was an honor to win. I walked in with my son and they said you one. Its working hard and being recognized. My own being being recognized you have ups and downs and then other people appreciate it as much as you do and so it has been memorable in different ways and i feel fortunate. Do you have any encouragement or congratulations or advice for this years finalists . Keep going. Its a real vote of confidence and it should be taken as a blessing. In terms of advice for this years winners you have earned this joy and even beyond a pandemic i think that it can be difficult to metabolize these kind of career miracles that if we are lucky enough we get to experience, but youve earned them and among everything, the grief and the pain that is happening, you can grant your self time to do karaoke in your living room or get something delivered, celebrate because as these writers can tell you we do not know what is on the other side of the news and i want you to be able to look back and have fond memories either of the work you did inspired by the prize or the fund that you had. I love that advice to the finalists, to metabolize this career miracle. And just in case career miracles seems hyperbolic to you, i would like to share some data that illustrates how hard it is to be named a finalist for the kirkus prize. For the 2020 prize, our critics read 3,380 fiction books, 2,713 nonfiction books and 4,524 books for Young Readers. That is a total of more than 10,000 books which means less than. 2 of the books we reviewed were named on the list of finalists. Every year the editors create a panel of judges for the categories. Each panel is made up of one bookseller or librarian, one critic and one author. To be eligible for the prize a book must first earn a star review. Then the judges selected six titles in each categorys finalists to choose the winner. I want to welcome the finalists who are joining live around the world this evening in america, london and as far as malaysia. The first is in the category of Young Readers literature. The judges for the 2020 prize and Young Readers literature are author nicola librarian roxanne and kirkus critic kyle. The finalists for this years kirkus prize in Young Readers literature are elizabeth, our critic said every line is laced with vitriol and longing as the teams struggle with loving someone despite the imperfections. A standing ovation. I am every good thing illustrated by gordon james lays the foundation for black readers to go forth into the world filled with confidence and self assurance. The title says it all. Black employees are every good thing. Fighting words by Kimberly Brubaker bradley refusing to soft pedal hard issues the novel speaks with an astringent honesty at once heartbreaking and hopeful. The girl and the ghost, gripping the heartwrenching and speaks to deeper themes such as family trauma and friendship, a fascinating page turning tail. We are water protectors by Carol Lindstrom and illustrated by michaela. An inspiring call to action for those that care about the interconnected planet. And stamped by Jason Reynolds worthy of inclusion in every home and curricula and libraries everywhere. Impressive and muchneeded. As you may have noticed, this category includes two picture books, to middle grade books and young adult or team books. Everyone is a triumph. Congratulations to all the finalists. The winner of the 2020 kirkus prize for literature is i am every good thing by Garrett Barnes and gordon c james. Thank you. [cheering] [laughter] im just over here hugging people. I just want to say thankou to everybody that read the book and enjoyed the book. To my son who is on the cover, say hi to everybody. And this is my wife. And my daughter who isnt here, and theater practice, and my parents that have ways put so much behind me. I want this book to be out there in the world so that our boys and all the people who love them and the people who dont even know them can know that they are important and worthy and valued and if theyre not getting it at home they wil get tt message thrgh this book. If they are not getting into the classrm they will get the message through the book. Im glad derek wrote it and that i got the chance to woron it. Im glad you went first. Im an emotional kind of cat. [lauter] i just want to thank you covid19 for showing us love. My wife just walked in the door and does covid testing twice a week im so proud of her. We have been together for 20 years. I used to sneak into her dorm ro and we would be up until 2 00 in the morning writing poetry. I never thought that it would lead this. Evybodys work every single writer and illustrator in t category and everybody that made it as a finalist, you are doing gods work. We need you right now. Children that read your books. I think about legacy and the work that we create. Yo want to create something that lives on. Think about y want to create sothing that makes people feel good about themselves. You want to create somhing that allows folks to see the humanity and others and i think that we did that with this book. Im so glad that we hooked up in 2016 i think we will keep making books together, brother, if you dont mind. Thank you all so very much. Thank you for making my week. Lets go georgia, lets go arizona, lets go pennsylvania, les do it. To everybody else ithe category i wish i was there to meet you all in person. Thank you. Congratulations, derek and gordon. You are now the first twotime winners in the history of the kirkus prize. Author nicola prepared a statement from the judges about why they chose your book. Every good thing is a beautiful uncompromised celebration of black progress and responsibility. [inaudible] and expressive figures depicting black boys and girls [inaudible] isnt only a joyous proclamation but to find himself and be seen on his own terms. Universal human right reinforced by the artwork. I am every good thing [inaudible] now i would like to introduce the judges in the category of nonfiction. Bookseller nick and kirkus critic, erica rohrbach. The finalist for this years kirkus prize in nonfiction are a furious sky by eric nolan. Our critic called it a sweeping absorbing history of natures tolerance. Fathoms by rebecca. A thoughtful and ambitiously crafted appeal for the preservation of marine mammals. The address book by deirdre. A standout book of sociological history and current affairs. World of wonders, the writing dazzles the marvel of being fully alive. The stakes are high by Michael Dennis l smith, an urgent and provocative work that deserves the broadest possible audience. And casts by isabel wilkerson, a memorable provocative book that exposes the American History and which the youth can take pride. To all of the finalists, we needed your voices this year. Thank you for sharing your talent with us and congratulations to all of you. The winner for the 2020 kirkus prize for nonfiction is stakes is high. Oh, im grateful to be a finalist, it is an honor. I didnt expect to win anything. Ive been honored to be a finalist among such an Amazing Group of authors who are doing incredible work. Thank you to the judges. Thank you to kirkus. 50,000 the day before my birthday is a lot of money to be responsible with and i promise i will not let you down. My editor, the best editor and the whole world, makes me better writer. It is as muc her award as it is mine if not more so. My agent, that has been with me for so many years miguel and lindsay and marketing and thanking all of the people becausthis book just doesnt exist withny of them without any of them. It is just such an honor. I am a totally different writer for having done this and im really proud of it. I just thought it will find its audience and if it flies under the radar of everyone else, thats fine, but it will find the people that its meant to find. Its truly an honor to have that work recognized by the judges that i cannot thank you enough. Obviously the book deals with a lot of ongoing american political issues, and i hope that people will sit with the ideas and i hope that it lives on past this 2020 election however long that goes on and i hope people are willing to sit and wrestle with the narratives. Its meaningful to people to have those questions to be able to do all of the work necessary to make the country that i think we want to live in. I want to thank all of my loved ones that are watching, much love to you and i guess i can go and celebrate now. Thank you. Congratulations. This statement was prepared from the judges about why they chose your book. Stakes is high, life after the American Dream. In a tumultuous year charged with injustice, uncertainty and a distinct lack of leadership, stakemistakes is high is the pet call to action needed to push beyond 2020. The razorsharp manifesto demands us to question the equity built into the individual core of the problematic concept of the American Dream its the greed, heade hetero patriarchy d state sanctioned suffering have brought on our society it is also viewed succinctly and vigorously that we are the change we have been waiting for an hour direct communal actions might be the only way to move towards the new progressive and incisive and in this very fraud moment. Now for the final category of the night. Here are the judges for the prize for fiction. Bookseller veronica and the kirkus critic. Black sunday, twin sitters cut adrift in the perilous duplicitous world learn only the wise survive, a formidable debut. The line lights of adults translated by ann goldstein. A girl and a city in hospital society, the formula works again. Luster by raven leilani, sharp, strange, propellant and a whole lot of fun. [inaudible] a rich deeply felt novel about family ties, immigration, sexual longing and faith and desire. And douglas stuart. You will never forget scene by scene it is a masterpiece. Congratulations to all the finalists. Youve touched so many people with your work this year. The winner of the kirkus prize for fiction is luster. Oh my god thank you. This is a really deeply and surreal. Thank you so much. With such amazing writers this really means so much for me. First i want to thank my mom. This has been an interesting year for us. We have had a lot of loss but i want you to know you are the reason i had the nerve to do this and to be as honest as i could on the stage. I appreciate and thank my family for being the kind of people who made our to feel like a worthwhile thing to pursue. I appreciate all the mentors and friends who pushed me and challenged me on this. When i felt it was going wrong and that i had to throw things away, it is a real path and i appreciate everyone. Thank you for helping me to assure this book into the world. Its been the most surreal first time around. Thank you for engaging the framework. Thank you to the writers that lifted me up. It wouldnt be there if i hadnt had that support. Thank you to everyone that has supported this book. Congratulations. You are officially the youngest writer to ever win the prize. The statement from the judges about why your book is selected as this years winner. Ravens debut novel kicks off with a bang and never lets up. Offering an exhilarating roller coaster ride with unpredictable twists and turns. The unapologetically bold young black woman at the book center created an unforgettable character whose agency is as productive as the urgency with which her unusual story unfolds. The author tackles race and gender, sex, class and power with the knack for nuance and generous spirit and the kenai for the regulatory detail. It is candid and compassionate, dangerous and disarmingly original. Emotionally raw it feels like both a story that will stand the test of time and a novel that we need right now. Congratulations to all of tonights winners. The prize wouldnt exist without the owners of the review. Thank you for your unwavering support and generosity. I would also like to thank all of the judges as well as the editors for the staff. A big thank you also to the Public Library for sharing this with us tonight and our production team. Before we go i would like to take a moment to recognize that while tonight is a night for celebration, many in the communitiecommunity source stilg from the effect of covid19. Please consider donating to independent booksellers and furloughed bookstore employees battling Economic Hardship through the Charitable Foundation and support writers tonight you can donate to the authors legal fund which is providing assistance to those that have experienced income loss due to covid19. You can find the links to these resources as well as the conversations from the winners and finalists by following the link on the bottom of the screen. Thank you for joining us. Good night. Heres a look at some Publishing Industry news the former president barack obama released the first of his two part memoir titled the Promised Land 768 pages and covers president obamas early political career his road to the white house and part of his first term. The books publisher, a division of Penguin Random house has printed 3. 4 million copies for north america and in an additional 2. 5 million for the international market. Publishers weekly spoke to editors, agents and other executives about a potential president ial memoir by President Trump and suggested he would seek an advancement for 65 million that the former president and first lady received for the respective memoirs. In other news the White House Correspondent is writing a book on her 20 years of covering President Trump. The book will be published by Penguin Press and available in early 2022. Also in the news several of americas publishers reported sales gains for the Third Quarter of the year that ended september the 30th. Simon schuster saw a 28 increase while the rose by 15 harpercollins saw a 13 jump in sales and announced James Patterson was the bestselling author of the last decade with 84 million print books sold. Totals were higher than stephen king and john grisham combined and made up for one and seven books sold in the thrillers genre. Booktv will continue to bring new programs and publishing news. You can also watch all of the past programs anytime at booktv. Org. During a virtual interview with booktv, faith and Freedom Coalition founder and chair discussed why evangelical christians continue to support President Trump. Here is a portion. I got to know the president in 2011. He literally cold called me. Never met him before in my life. Honestly didnt have a high opinion of him. And i told him that when he called me. He said the next time youre in new york, come see me. And i did. I told him if he was serious about running for president he should come to one of the events of my organization faith and Freedom Coalition and get to know some of these evangelical activists. He did that repeatedly and one of the times i met with him raised it and said i used to be prochoice but let me tell you what happened. He said i had a good friend of mine who became pregnant, and it was in inconvenient or unplanned pregnancy. And by the way, most are. And she didnt really know what to do. Her husband wanted her to have an abortion. And this woman who was a good friend of his, and they were good friends of this couple said what you think i should do and he literally didnt know what to say to this person. Long story short, she made the decision to keep the child. The child does not know that she was nearly aborted and certainly doesnt know that trump knows that but he watched this woman grow up knowing that and in his telling to me, he said shes an amazing woman and a star and he said so i started thinking to myself she almost didnt make it and thats when i decided that there were probably millions of people like that who are not with us and i cant judge his heart. I dont know whether or not that was genuine or politically calculated. But it sounded genuine to me. And whatever those facts are, the fact is he is the most prolife president weve had. He kept his word, and i think its real. You mentioned you didnt have a high opinion in 2011 and you write in your book christians are not seeking a political savior with donald trump so there is a political calculus here. Theres certainly a calculus as citizens, and i walk through that in my book and i talk a little bit about it and the answer to a previous question that you had about we are called upon as citizens i believe to first of all defend our right, and i talked about in the book how when the apostle paul was arrested in jerusalem and this is all detailed in the book. He was about to be put on trial. He was going to be a Kangaroo Court and he was going to be executed. He exercised the most precious right which was to appeal his case to caesar. It was an unbelievable sacred right of a roman citizen and in the roman world, very few people actually were citizens. Certainly most jews were not. He won. And to caesar, he wins. He did ultimately die but i thought that it was interesting that while he was willing to die for the gospel, he wasnt willing to surrender his rights as a roman. So, first of all we are called upon to defend our rights. Trump offered to defend the rights and by the way, caesar at that time, the occupant of that office was tiberius who was a notorious deviant. He was a pedophile. He murdered his opponent and had their bodies floated down the river to intimidate his critics. He was not a good man. But that is who he appealed to and so thats the first thing we are called to do. The second thing is to advance the common and the moral good, and i quote Ronald Reagan and his famous address to the National Association of evangelicals in 1983 where he said you dont get to check out of citizenship and say both sides are flawed. Youve got to choose a side. As he was talking about communism versus capitalism but it applies today in our own context and the third thing we are called to do is resist evil and i believe that abortion on demand is a moral evil and trump is offering to resist that so that in a sentence is the argument, that is the case not that hes perfect, because none of us are perfect. Not that he is without sin because all of us t sin. But on these aspects of the true understanding of citizenship, hes someone we can work with and who has offered to defend these things and to advance the common good. On book tv afterwards political scientist deborah stone argues that numbers are objective and explains ways numbers impact us. Afterwards is a weekly interview