Borders Announces Original Voices Award Winners for 2003

Posted on April 25, 2003

Borders Books & Music has announced the winners of the sixth annual Borders Original Voices Awards. Paul Auster's intricately woven Book of Illusions, published by Henry Holt & Company, won top honors in the fiction category. Complications, a collection of essays about the fallibility of surgeons by Atul Gawande and published by Metropolitan Books, was the nonfiction winner. Author Linda Smith and illustrator Marla Frazee won in the children's picture book category for their collaboration on Mrs. Biddlebox, a children's picture book published by HarperCollins Juvenile Books that demonstrates the power of positive thinking. In the young adult category, established horror novelist Clive Barker won for his first young adult fantasy novel, Abarat, published by Joanna Cotler Books. Winners will receive $5,000 from the company for their outstanding achievement in crafting creative, original books.

"Since 1995, Borders' Original Voices program has promoted the works of authors who challenge the boundaries of modern writing. The unique works of this year's winners are a testament to the depth of talent in the Original Voices program," said Michael Spinozzi, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Borders Group, Inc. "It is particularly encouraging to see that two established authors have challenged their own creative boundaries as demonstrated by Paul Auster's most exquisitely crafted novel to date and Clive Barker's groundbreaking departure to the world of young adult fantasy."

Throughout the year, Borders' Original Voices program features the works of more than 200 contemporary authors/illustrators from around the world in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, young adult and picture books. The monthly program highlights innovative and ambitious new books from new and emerging talents, as well as works that represent a new direction for established authors.

The nominees were chosen by corporate office employees and booksellers nationwide; a panel of judges comprised of home office staff members made the final selections.

Original Voices Award Winners

Fiction:
The Book of Illusions by Paul Auster Published by Henry Holt & Company, Inc.

Nonfiction:
Complications by Atul Gawande Published by Metropolitan Books

Children's Picture Books:
Mrs. Biddlebox by Linda Smith, illustrated by Marla Frazee Published by HarperCollins Juvenile Books

Young Adult Books:
Abarat by Clive Barker Published by Joanna Cotler Books