J.K. Rowling Among Nominees for Alternative Nobel Prize

J.K. Rowling has been nominated for another award – this one with a bit of a backstory!

As you may have heard, controversy within the Swedish Academy means that no Nobel Prize in Literature will be awarded in 2018 – but a group of prominent Swedish cultural figures wants to guarantee that the world doesn’t miss a chance to celebrate one of its many talented authors. Together, this group formed the New Academy. On its website, the New Academy outlines the purpose of this temporary organization.

The New Academy was founded [not only] to warrant that an international literary prize will be awarded in 2018 but also as a reminder that literature should be associated with democracy, openness, empathy, and respect.

In a time when human values are increasingly being called into question, literature becomes the counterforce of oppression and a code of silence. It is now more important than ever that the world’s greatest literary prize should be awarded.

In service to that mission, a group of Swedish librarians voted to create a list of 46 nominees for the New Academy Prize in Literature, including J.K. Rowling, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman, and several others.

Not only is this a prestigious honor for Rowling, who is the holder of many other awards – including a Locus Award and Hugo Award – but readers actually have a say in who will take home the prize! From now until August 14, you can vote for whom you believe most deserves the prize.

The winner will be announced on October 14 and will receive one million Kronor (about $112,000) in prize money, as well as be honored with a banquet. You can read more about the prize here.

What are you waiting for? Cast your vote now!