Award-winning literary works have not had a spreading effect
Although all comparisons are lame, in the world, a major award can help literary works "change their fate", become best-selling works (best-selling books).
The literary award of the Vietnam Writers' Association was once noticed, but almost no works after winning the award were searched for or "hunted" at bookstores.
In 2021, the novel "A Common Example" by writer Nguyen Binh Phuong won the Vietnam Writers' Association Award. The novel received many compliments from critics, and soon after was awarded the Southeast Asian Writer's Prize in 2022, but "A Common Example" could not "change fate" on sales shelves.
In 2023, writer Nguyen Viet Ha's novel "Absolutely No Secrecy" won the Vietnam Writers' Association Award and almost left no... trace. Nguyen Viet Ha was once a shocking author to the literary scene through a series of works such as "God's Opportunity", "Women Drinking Wine"... Nguyen Viet Ha is expected to be the successor writer of generations of names like Nguyen Huy Thiep, Nguyen Binh Phuong. But even when he was highly appreciated, the novel "Absolutely No Secrecy" still could not create a "turning point" for the market and readers.
This year, the Vietnam Writers' Association Award in the prose category was awarded to the novel "Promised Land" by author Le Thanh Ky, in the poetry category there are 2 poetry collections "Scent from Pain" by poet Hoang Thuy Anh (Hoang Thi Quynh Anh), and the poetry collection "On the Hairline" by poet Trang Thanh (Tran Thi Thanh) both receiving awards.
Author Le Thanh Ky currently lives in Phu Ly ward (former Ha Nam, now Ninh Binh), he has a long-standing mechanical workshop.Unlike Nguyen Viet Ha, Nguyen Binh Phuong...author Le Thanh Ky believes that he is passionate about literature, writes a lot, but still needs a mechanical profession to earn a living.
Talking to a reporter of Lao Dong Newspaper about many award-winning works but receiving little attention, author Le Thanh Ky said that he understands and accepts the "rules of the game".According to him, not every award-winning work becomes famous.Although he wants the work to be promoted and spread widely, the author alone can hardly do it.
Considering the promotion of award-winning works
Explaining why literary works that win the Vietnam Writers' Association award, despite being praised for their quality, are still almost... submerged between information life, literary life and the book market, writer Nguyen Quang Thieu - Chairman of the Vietnam Writers' Association - said: "I think this story comes from many factors. First of all, it is possible that the work and the topic of the work are not attractive enough to the majority of readers. Many times, the majority like to read about scandals, showbiz secrets or sensational stories... literary works go deep into the story of life and human fate.
In my opinion, the big reason comes from the reading culture of Vietnamese people. I have talked to experts and publishers, not every Nobel Prize-winning literary work sells well in the Vietnamese market.
But, above all, I also believe that a professional award like the literary award of the Vietnam Writers' Association still needs to be promoted and spread, so that readers can better understand and know about life and the value of contemporary literary works. I and the Vietnam Writers' Association will have to consider this in the near future.
According to writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, the promotion of literary works that have won prizes also has certain difficulties. Many prize-winning books are produced by other publishers (not the Writers' Association Publishing House), therefore, the Vietnam Writers' Association finds it very difficult to plan for distribution, promotion, and introduction.
I think that in the near future, the Vietnam Writers' Association will have to have a plan to cooperate with publishers, thereby being able to implement plans to promote, introduce, and widely disseminate award-winning works so that more readers know about them, thereby, the awards of the Vietnam Writers' Association will also be better promoted.
The fact that a prestigious award of the professional community is widely known - is also a way to elevate literature, bringing literature to a higher position, higher value in the flow of information, in the contemporary spiritual and cultural life.
