Call me Stupid, I Don't Care

People have asked me what happened to ELMER at the 2010 National Book Awards. It's easy to answer. And the answer is nothing. Look, in all absolute honesty, I have to admit that it would be nice to be at the very least nominated, but I really don't think I can win it, never in a million years. Other people are doing just much better work.

After a few conversations with people, and an untimely letter from the National Book Development Board, I now realize that I don't even stand of a chance of nomination.

Apparently, the system in place goes like this. For a book to be nominated, the publisher must be a member of the NBDB, and second, the publisher must submit 6 copies of the book (with ISBN) along with other requirements upon a specific deadline. In other words, the publisher must send the book to the NBDB, asking them to consider the book for inclusion.

I was unaware of this until after the deadline had passed.

Upon reflection, I now realize that none of the books I will publish through Komikero Publishing will ever get nominated because I will not submit any of my books for consideration. Why? Because I simply don't agree with this particular system of nomination.

I believe my book, or any book for that matter, should stand and fall upon its own merits, without any additional prodding from me. I don't have to go anywhere, book in hand, telling people, "Here, please nominate my book." For some reason, something about this rubs me the wrong way.

If none of the judges of the National Book Award is even aware of my book's existence, then it can only mean two things. One, they don't go out of their way to find out what books are actually being published in the Philippines, and two, my book is simply not that noticeable, or even notable. The reasons can be both. And I perfectly accept that.

The fact that judges simply wait for whatever books are submitted to them before they consider which among them is best, automatically disqualifies what I'm sure are plenty of other books out there whose publishers are not members of NBDB, or don't submit their books for nomination.

If this is the case, how can the results be ever considered to be a true representation of the entire publishing output of the Philippines on any given year? The answers is it can't ever possibly be.

Look, I'm just writing this all down because a few people were asking for an explanation. It would have been nice to have a nomination, but since none is forthcoming, then it's totally acceptable to me. Other people are just doing better stuff. No sweat. I don't create my comics for such things anyway. I'm just perfectly happy having the opportunity to share my stories with those who want to read them.