On November 27, while attending an activity of the Għaqda Poeti Maltin, I was informed by a member that at that very moment the Literary Prize Awards Ceremony was being held at Auberge de Castille.
I was very surprised and angry, for several reasons. In 2012, I published three books. Adhering to the rules, four copies of these publications were entered to participate in the National Literary Prize Awards 2012. I was duly informed that the books were received.
In spite of this, by November 27, I had not yet been notified about the ceremony, nor invited to attend. Up to last year, the Book Council used to send the necessary information to all those concerned, with a full list of books, authors, and publishers, according to the category of participation. This procedure was not upheld this year. So much for transparency!
To date, the Book Council website is down, so it was not functioning during the annual Book Fair from the November 12 to 17, and also during the book awards ceremony.
Thus, this important event was published nowhere, and up to the evening of November 27, nobody knew anything about the books, authors and publishers. Another blow to transparency! Participants were apparently informed just by an e-mail, which I never received. The event was not published in the cultural calendar of the Akkademja tal-Malti and the Għaqdiet tal-Malti .
Sending such information by e-mail is unacceptable. Everybody should be notified properly. There is also a conflict of interest in the Literary Awards scheme. It is unacceptable that members of the Book Council are allowed to compete in the awards, and eventually win prizes year after year.
Such serious shortcomings have to be seen to immediately. Otherwise, the event should be discontinued.