In thumpingly exciting news, this blog has been nominated for The Orwell Prize 2010. Gosh.
I don't know quite what else to say. It's a massive, massive honour to be on the Longlist. I've been muddlesomely practicing making political writing into an art with this blog, but it's quite to shock to discover that I may have been objectively getting it right, at my age. I don't expect to be shortlisted, this is more than enough of an accolade.
Also nominated are Hopi Sen (who deserves to win), Iain Dale, Dave's Part, Jack of Kent, Mary Beard, Political Betting, some Proper Journalists (Tim Marshall, Gideon Rachman, David Smith) some Anonymous Real People (PC Bloggs, 'Ray' and Winston Smith) and the awesome Madam Miaow, upon whom I harbour a lingering crush.
Well, that's cheered me right up. It's been a long time since I've had a prize for anything. I'd forgotten how nice it is, having a little prize, which does make me feel like a bad grumpy socialist. But if anything, there's too much imposed scarcity around this sort of acknowledgment, making people compete when they should be celebrating each other.
If I ran the country, everyone would be entitled to at least one prize a year. They could fill in what they deserved it for most. You could have a prize for getting over a bad break-up without getting trashed and making a scene, or a prize for living in a grotty part of London, or a prize for looking after your mum when she was ill. But then I want to run away to a world of Smart Happy Socialism, where the state's main role is to reward people for getting through their lives. Anyone want to join me?
Congratulations! I'm relatively new to your blog but I've been going through the archives a bit and you're phenomenally eloquent and outspoken and you really know how to engage your reader so I think this nommination is well deserved. =)
ReplyDeleteSo well deserved. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteInstead of a prize could I have a shed? Germaine Greer once said that if she ruled the world every man would get a shed. I've always wanted on. If I voted for you would I get one? What about it?
ReplyDeleteWell-deserved congratulations. I've been following your blog for about a year, I think, and am so glad that you are writing so eloquently about such extremely important things. Please keep up the fantastic work!
ReplyDeleteI must just second all those above me. About flipping time you got 'official' recognition, you glorious rager, you!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Laurie. Hope the lefties do well in the shortlist as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is really brilliant Penny-well done. We look forward to more of your ramblings and juicy thoughts...xxx
ReplyDeleteDoh, Laurie!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Well-deserved.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Laura! I am proud to know you.
ReplyDeleteAlthough my kindred and me have ribbed and teased you in the past we have only done so because we admire you and consider you to be a serious writer. (If a slightly po-faced one at times!) Good luck to you! But why were you so surprised to have been nominated in the first place?
ReplyDeleteWell done and good luck - nice to have some good folks in there this year. And it is a lift, isn't it, like getting a big pat on the back. Makes you feel less like you're shouting into the vacuum of space.
ReplyDeleteCongrats and best of luck, because you surely deserve recognition for all you've done here. And nice to see some actual lefties in the mix. It's like getting a big pat on the back, isn't it? Makes you feel a lot less like you're just shouting into a vacuum. And if you know you're communicating, well, you can't ask for more than that.
ReplyDeleteLaurie, you're gorgeous and a brilliantly sexy writer. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAll must have prizes? I like your novel take on the old cart-horse, but I don't think you'd be feeling quite so cheered up if they gave the Orwell Prize to everyone... :-)
ReplyDeleteDon!t sell yourself short lass,youve got the goods congrats.Kia Kaha.
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming that being nominated for an Orwell is good news. It would be doubleplusungood to be awarded the Orwell Award for Best Contribution to Newspeak.
ReplyDeleteOnly joking. Good luck.
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