A win for illustrated books all round: Thames & Hudson celebrates with “another reprint on top of the reprint”
Once I Was a Giant (Zeno Sworder) was shortlisted in this year’s CBCA awards ahead of its overall win as Book of the Year at last week’s Australian Book Industry Awards, and happily Thames & Hudson Australia (T&H) managing director Daniel Watts confirms the publisher has seen a spike in sales.
“We have just ordered another reprint on top of the reprint that is due into the warehouse” on 7 June, Watts told Books+Publishing.
As the book’s author Zeno Sworder thanked the trade, head of promotion at T&H Bianca Jafari praised booksellers for the success of both Sworder’s children’s book and The Art of Kaylene Whiskey: Do You Believe in Love? (ed Natalie King & Iwantja Arts), which took out ABIA Illustrated Book of the Year.
“Having just moved across from the sales team into this new marketing role, I know how hard the booksellers worked to make these two winning books a success,” Jafari told Books+Publishing. “This feels like a win for the indies and, ultimately, that’s a huge win for us! We’re all beside ourselves.”
“For two illustrated books to take out the top honours at the ABIAs is a landmark moment for Thames & Hudson – recognising the immense creative labour, collaboration and years of artistic commitment behind illustrated publishing,” said T&H publishing director Kirsten Abbott. “The illustrated book remains a vital form of communication, authority and cultural object.”
Said King of the win: “I am thrilled to have won Illustrated Book of the Year together with Kaylene Whiskey and Iwantja Arts. Kaylene welcomes everyone into her colourful Anangu world of pop culture and positivity, plants and personalities. Hers is a place of togetherness and coexistence where everyone belongs especially strong women such as Dolly Parton, Cher and Tina Turner.”
“I’m very proud that my book has won an award!” said the artist. “I might put the trophy on display in the Indulkana community store, next to the Indulkana Tigers’ football and softball trophies, so all my friends and family can see!”
Category: ABIA winner profile
