The first Quill Awards -- aiming to "pair a populist sensibility with Hollywood-style glitz" in awarding "literary prizes reflecting the tastes of the people who matter most, readers" — were named last night during a ceremony in New York City hosted by NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams, with special appearances by Jon Stewart (who took home two prizes for his America -The Book) and another author-comedian, Robert Klein.
The Quills Book of the Year was awarded to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling, illustrated by Mary GrandPré, published by Arthur Levine/Scholastic. Rowling was also presented with the Quills Children's Chapter Book/Middle Grade Award. Debut Author of the Year went to Elizabeth Kostova for her multigenerational mystery novel, The Historian, published by Little Brown & Company; and Bob Dylan received the Biography/Memoir Award for his Chronicles: Volume One, published by Simon & Schuster.
The Quill Awards television special, hosted by Al Roker and WNBC's Jane Hanson, will be carried on the 14 NBC Universal Owned and Operated Television Stations on Saturday, October 22, 2005, airing 7:00-8:00 p.m.
"We are pleased that we have engaged the American reader in the voting process for a significant book award," remarked Gerry Byrne, former Publisher of Variety and Daily Variety, who designed and supervises The Quill Awards and program and serves as Chairman of The Quills Literacy Foundation. He added, "We're delighted with the outstanding works of the well-regarded nominees-authors who we were proud to honor here tonight. We look forward to growing the Quills in the years to come."
The winners of the 2005 Quill Book Awards are:
Book of the Year - presented by Brian Williams
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
J.K. Rowling, Mary GrandPré (Illustrator)
Arthur Levine/Scholastic
Debut Author of the Year - presented by Kim Cattrall
The Historian
Elizabeth Kostova
Little Brown & Company
Audio Book - presented by Tony Roberts
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents America: A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction
Jon Stewart and the Writers of the Daily Show
Time Warner AudioBooks
Children's Illustrated Book - presented by Elmo
Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook
Shel Silverstein
HarperCollins Children's Books
Children's Chapter Book/Middle Grade - presented by Jules Feiffer
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
J.K. Rowling, Mary GrandPré (Illustrator)
Arthur Levine/Scholastic
Young Adult/Teen - presented by Anthony Rapp
Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood
Ann Brashares
Delacorte Press
General Fiction - presented by Erica Jong
The Mermaid Chair
Sue Monk Kidd
Viking Press
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