Paul Galvin: The Autobiography has been nominated in the Listeners’ Choice category of the Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards, after first appearing on bookshelves on October 28th.
The Kerry right-half forward’s book, described as an “unflinching and compelling account of a career that has fascinated football fans for over a decade,” is nominated against biographies by Brian O’Driscoll and Graham Norton - both of which were published on October 23rd.
Majella O’Donnell’s memoir about her marriage and battle with cancer and novels by Liz Nugent and David Mitchell complete the roster.
The Listeners’ Choice award is the only category in the Irish Book Awards not decided by the Irish Literary Academy, says awards-spokesperson Lisa Buckley.
“The books are chosen by the production team on the radio show, and have been since it was the Ryan Tubridy Show. They pick the books they believe their audience would like to choose from,” she said.
Other books nominated are decided by the Irish Literary Academy, a 200-strong collection of writers, librarians, critics, and publishers. They shortlist from 300-400 titles submitted throughout the year, including books published in the autumn and winter that are expected to make a substantial impact on the Irish literary scene.
The winners are then decided by evenly weighted public and Academy votes, though in the case of a tie, the Academy vote is the decider.
But the choice of books nominated for the Listeners’ Choice award is the exclusive to the production team on the John Murray Show, says Ms Buckley.
“Of course, you have to bear in mind that people working in the book business get advance copies of books months before they are published, and that the team uses those copies to determine what should make the shortlist in that award,” she added.
The Bord Gáis Eneregy Irish Book Awards will be handed out on November 26th, and broadcast on RTÉ One on the 29th.
