The Quill Award was an American

literary award A literary award or literary prize is an award presented in recognition of a particularly lauded literary piece or body of work. It is normally presented to an author. Organizations Most literary awards come with a corresponding award ceremony. Ma ...

that ran for three years in 2005-2007. It was a " consumer-driven award created to inspire reading while promoting literacy." The Quills Foundation, the organization behind the Quill Award, was supported by a number of notable media corporations, including Reed Business Information, then parent of '' Publishers Weekly'', and NBC Universal Television Stations, along with

Parade Magazine ''Parade'' was an American nationwide Sunday newspaper magazine, distributed in more than 700 newspapers in the United States until 2022. The most widely read magazine in the U.S., ''Parade'' had a circulation of 32 million and a readership of 5 ...

, Borders,

Barnes & Noble Barnes & Noble Booksellers is an American bookseller. It is a Fortune 1000 company and the bookseller with the largest number of retail outlets in the United States. As of July 7, 2020, the company operates 614 retail stores across all 50 U. ...

and the

American Booksellers Association The American Booksellers Association (ABA) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1900 that promotes independent bookstores in the United States. ABA's core members are key participants in their communities' local economy and culture, and t ...

. Reed Business Information announced plans to dissolve the awards program in February 2008 and distribute the remaining Foundation funds to non-profit organizations

First Book First Book is a national, nonprofit social enterprise focusing on educational equity as a path out of poverty. The organization addresses barriers to education faced by children in low-income and historically excluded communities by providing brand ...

and Literacy Partners. Reed declined to give reasons for the suspension,Reed drops Quills awards sponsorship
, CNN, February 26, 2008.
, '' The New York Times'', February 27, 2008. but the awards had produced little effect on book sales, and the televised ceremonies were criticized for being too long and poorly planned.Co-founder cuts support of Quills book award
CBC News, February 26, 2008.

Selection process

Winners were selected through a two-part process involving nomination by industry experts and final selection by consumer votes. To be eligible for nomination, a book had to be published in English during the previous year and be included in at least one industry or sponsor listing. Readers selected the winners from among the five nominees selected by the board for each category. However, for the 2007 edition, the choice by public vote was restricted to book of the year, and winners in other categories were chosen by retailers and librarians.

2007 Quill Award winners

*Book of the year: ''Angels Fall'', Nora Roberts *Debut author of the year: Diane Setterfield, '' The Thirteenth Tale'' *Audio book: '' To Kill a Mockingbird'',

Harper Lee Nelle Harper Lee (April 28, 1926February 19, 2016) was an American novelist best known for her 1960 novel ''To Kill a Mockingbird''. It won the 1961 Pulitzer Prize and has become a classic of modern American literature. Lee has received numero ...

, (read by Sissy Spacek) *Children's illustrated book: '' Flotsam, David Wiesner *Children's chapter book/middle grade: '' The Invention of Hugo Cabret'', Brian Selznick *Young adult/teen: ''

Sold Sold may refer to: * ''Sold'' (Boy George album), 1987 * ''Sold'' (Died Pretty album), 1996 * ''Sold'' (TV series), a British comedy drama television series * ''Sold'' (McCormick novel), a 2006 novel by Patricia McCormick and Illustrated by Br ...

'', Patricia McCormick *General fiction: '' The Road'', Cormac McCarthy *Graphic novel: '' Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels, Volume 7'', Scott McCloud *Mystery/suspense/thriller: '' What the Dead Know'', Laura Lippman *Poetry: ''For the Confederate Dead'', Kevin Young *Romance: ''Angels Fall'', Nora Roberts *Science fiction/fantasy/horror: '' The Name of the Wind'', Patrick Rothfuss *Religion/spirituality: ''Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know - And Doesn't'',

Stephen Prothero Stephen Richard Prothero (; born November 13, 1960) is an American scholar of religion. He is a professor of religion at Boston University and the author of ten books on religion in the United States, including the ''New York Times'' bestseller ...

*Biography/memoir: ''Einstein: His Life and Universe'', Walter Isaacson *Business: '' The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't'', Robert I. Sutton *Cooking: '' Joy of Cooking: 75th Anniversary Edition'', Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker, and Ethan Becker *Health/self-improvement: '' How Doctors Think'', Jerome Groopman, M.D. *History/current events/politics: ''

The Assault on Reason ''The Assault on Reason'' is a 2007 book by Al Gore. In the book, the former U.S. Vice President heavily criticizes the George W. Bush administration for its actions in furthering the "assault on reason". He argues that there is a trend in U.S. ...

'',

Al Gore Albert Arnold Gore Jr. (born March 31, 1948) is an American politician, businessman, and environmentalist who served as the 45th vice president of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton. Gore was the Democratic Part ...

*Humor: ''I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence'', Amy Sedaris *Sports: '' The Kings of New York: A Year Among the Geeks, Oddballs and Geniuses Who Make Up America's Top High-School Chess Team'', Michael Weinreb

2006 Quill Award winners

*Book of the Year: ''Don't Make a Black Woman Take off Her Earrings: Madea's Uninhibited Commentaries on Love and Life'', Tyler Perry *Debut Author of the Year: Julie Powell for work in '' Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen'' *Audio Book: '' Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog'', John Grogan *Children's Illustrated Book: '' If You Give a Pig a Party,

Laura Joffe Numeroff Laura Joffe Numeroff (born July 14, 1953) is an American author and illustrator of children's books who is best known as the author of '' If You Give a Mouse a Cookie''. Early life Numeroff was born in Brooklyn, New York, and is the youngest of ...

*Children's Chapter Book/Middle Grade: '' The Penultimate Peril'',

Lemony Snicket Lemony Snicket is the pen name of American author Daniel Handler (born February 28, 1970). Handler has published several children's books under the name, most notably ''A Series of Unfortunate Events'', which has sold over 60 million copies and s ...

*Young Adult/Teen: '' Eldest'', Christopher Paolini *General Fiction: '' A Dirty Job: A Novel'', Christopher Moore *Graphic Novel: '' Naruto, Volume 7'',

Masashi Kishimoto is a Japanese manga artist. His manga series, ''Naruto'', which was in serialization from 1999 to 2014, has sold over 250 million copies worldwide in 46 countries as of May 2019. The series has been adapted into two anime and multiple films, vi ...

*Mystery/Suspense/Thriller: ''

Twelve Sharp ''Twelve Sharp'', published in 2006, is the 12th novel by Janet Evanovich featuring the bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. The hardcover version appeared at the top of the New York Times Bestseller List ''The New York Times'' Best Seller list is ...

'', Janet Evanovich *Poetry: ''Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem'',

Maya Angelou Maya Angelou ( ; born Marguerite Annie Johnson; April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014) was an American memoirist, popular poet, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and ...

*Romance: '' Blue Smoke'', Nora Roberts *Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror: '' A Breath of Snow and Ashes'', Diana Gabaldon *Religion/Spirituality: ''Mama Made the Difference'', T. D. Jakes *Biography/Memoir: '' Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog'', John Grogan *Business: ''The Girl's Guide to Being a Boss (Without Being a Bitch): Valuable Lessons, Smart Suggestions, and True Stories for Succeeding as the Chick-in-Charge'', Caitlin Friedman and Kimberly Yorio *Cooking: ''Rachael Ray 365: No Repeats: A Year of Deliciously Different Dinners'', Rachael Ray *Health/Self Improvement: ''It's Not Easy Being Green: And Other Things to Consider'', Jim Henson *History/Current Events/Politics: '' An Inconvenient Truth'',

*Humor: ''Don't Make a Black Woman Take off Her Earrings: Madea's Uninhibited Commentaries on Love and Life'', Tyler Perry *Sports: ''Get Your Own Damn Beer, I'm Watching the Game!: A Woman's Guide to Loving Pro Football'', Holly Robinson Peete *''Variety'' Blockbuster Book to Film: '' The Devil Wears Prada'' and its film adaptation, author Lauren Weisberger and director David Frankel.

2005 Quill Award winners

*Book of the Year: '' Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'', J.K. Rowling,

Mary GrandPré Mary GrandPré (born February 13, 1954) is an American illustrator best known for her cover and chapter illustrations of the ''Harry Potter'' books in their U.S. editions published by Scholastic. She received a Caldecott Honor in 2015 for illust ...

(Illustrator) *Debut Author of the Year: Elizabeth Kostova for ''

The Historian ''The Historian'' is the 2005 debut novel of American author Elizabeth Kostova. The plot blends the history and folklore of Vlad Țepeș and his fictional equivalent Count Dracula. Kostova's father told her stories about Dracula when she was a c ...

'' *Audio Book: '' The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents America: A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction'',

Jon Stewart Jon Stewart (born Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz; November 28, 1962) is an American comedian, political commentator, and television host. He hosted ''The Daily Show'', a satirical news program on Comedy Central, from 1999 to 2015 and now hosts ''Th ...

and the Writers of the Daily Show *Children's Illustrated Book: '' Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook'', Shel Silverstein *Children's Chapter Book/Middle Grade: ''Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'', J.K. Rowling,

(Illustrator) *Young Adult/Teen: '' Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood'',

Ann Brashares Ann Brashares (born July 30, 1967) is an American young adult novelist. She is best known as the author of ''The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants'' series. Life and career Brashares was born in Alexandria, Virginia, and grew up in Chevy Chase, ...

*General Fiction: '' The Mermaid Chair'',

Sue Monk Kidd Sue Monk Kidd (born August 12, 1948) is an American writer from Sylvester, Georgia best known for her novels '' The Secret Life of Bees'' and ''The Invention of Wings''. Early life and education Kidd was born in Sylvester, Georgia, and attended ...

*Graphic Novel: '' Marvel 1602 Volume I'',

Neil Gaiman Neil Richard MacKinnon GaimanBorn as Neil Richard Gaiman, with "MacKinnon" added on the occasion of his marriage to Amanda Palmer. ; ( Neil Richard Gaiman; born 10 November 1960) is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, gr ...

, Andy Kubert and Richard Isanove *Mystery/Suspense/Thriller: ''

Eleven on Top ''Eleven on Top'' is the 11th novel by Janet Evanovich featuring the bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. It was published in June 2005, and quickly became a #1 best-seller, remaining on the USA Today list of 150 best-selling novels for 19 weeks. Plot ...

'', Janet Evanovich *Poetry: ''Let America Be America Again: And Other Poems'',

Langston Hughes James Mercer Langston Hughes (February 1, 1901 – May 22, 1967) was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist from Joplin, Missouri. One of the earliest innovators of the literary art form called jazz poetry, Hug ...

*Romance: ''44 Cranberry Point'', Debbie Macomber *Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror: ''

The Stupidest Angel ''The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror'' is a 2004 novel by American writer Christopher Moore. Set during Christmas, it brings together several favored characters from his previous books set in the fictional town of Pine C ...

: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror'', Christopher Moore *Religion and Spirituality: ''Peace is the Way: Bringing War and Violence to an End'',

Deepak Chopra Deepak Chopra (; ; born October 22, 1946) is an Indian-American author and alternative medicine advocate. A prominent figure in the New Age movement, his books and videos have made him one of the best-known and wealthiest figures in alternati ...

*Biography/Memoir: ''

Chronicles, Vol. 1 ''Chronicles: Volume One'' is a memoir written by American musician Bob Dylan. The book was published on October 5, 2004, by Simon & Schuster. The 304-page book covers three selected points from Dylan's long career: 1961, 1970, and 1989, while h ...

'', Bob Dylan *Business: '' Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything'',

Steven D. Levitt Steven David Levitt (born May 29, 1967) is an American economist and co-author of the best-selling book ''Freakonomics'' and its sequels (along with Stephen J. Dubner). Levitt was the winner of the 2003 John Bates Clark Medal for his work in the ...

and

Stephen J. Dubner Stephen Joseph Dubner (born August 26, 1963) is an American author, journalist, and podcast and radio host. He is co-author of the popular ''Freakonomics'' book series: ''Freakonomics'',Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of ...

*Cooking: ''Rachael Ray's 30-Minute Get Real Meals: Eat Healthy Without Going to Extremes'', Rachael Ray *Health and Self-Improvement: ''

He's Just Not That Into You ''He's Just Not That Into You'' is a self-improvement book written by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo that was published in 2004 and later adapted into a film by the same name in 2009. It was a New York Times bestseller and was featured on ''The ...

: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys'', Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo *History/Current Events/Politics: ''

1776 Events January–February * January 1 – American Revolutionary War – Burning of Norfolk: The town of Norfolk, Virginia is destroyed, by the combined actions of the British Royal Navy and occupying Patriot forces. * January 1 ...

'', David McCullough *Humor: ''The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents America: A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction'',

and the Writers of the Daily Show *Sports: '' Faithful: Two Diehard Boston Red Sox Fans Chronicle the Historic 2004 Season'',

Stewart O'Nan Stewart O'Nan (born February 4, 1961) is an American novelist. Life and work Background Born on February 4, 1961, to John Lee O'Nan II and Mary Ann O'Nan (''née'' Smith), he and his brother John were raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where t ...

and

Stephen King Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime, science-fiction, and fantasy novels. Described as the "King of Horror", a play on his surname and a reference to his high s ...

The foundation awarded a Quills Corporate Literacy Award to Verizon for its support of literacy programs in the United States.Verizon Wins First Quills Corporate Literacy Award
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References

External links

* ** {{Cite web , url=http://www.thequills.org/ , title=The Quill Awards : Auction , access-date=July 1, 2007 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430021149/http://www.thequills.org/ , archive-date=April 30, 2008 , url-status=bot: unknown , df=mdy-all Awards established in 2005 Awards disestablished in 2008 American literary awards 2005 establishments in the United States 2008 disestablishments in the United States