Book of the Year Award 2021
We are excited to announce the winners of the 2021 SPN Book of the Year Award. That’s right, winners, the judges decided to award two BOTY winners this year! They are Echoes (2020) by Shu-Ling Chua and We are Speaking in Code (Brio Books 2020) by Tanya Vavilova.
The judges said ‘both titles exhibit beautiful and engaging writing, genuine and heartfelt examinations of identity and culture, and nuanced explorations of their themes. Each winner also showcases experimental forms and the power of small presses to bring unique stories to the world.’
Brio Books publisher David Henley said, ‘thank you to the judges for recognising both of these books. We’re thrilled to have published Tanya Vavilova, who is such a talented nonfiction and fiction writer. We Are Speaking in Code is a brave exploration of her lived experience and we are so proud that she is receiving this reward.’
Shu-Ling Chua said, ‘when I learnt Echoes had co-won the SPN BOTY award, I ran to tell Mum and burst into tears! I thank the judges, series curator Fran Berry, my wonderful editor Camha Pham, and everyone who has given my little book their time and a home. I hope my essays contribute to expanding ideas of “Asian-Australian literature” and encourage more multilingual writing. Small presses, literary journals and zines foster creative risk-taking and are essential to a vibrant literary landscape that is genuinely inclusive and just.’
BOTY is proudly supported by:
The Winner
Echoes
Echoes [a collection of essays] is a true expression of what it means to (re)connect with one’s culture, blending memoir, cultural commentary and translation with brief vignettes that leave a lasting impact.
Judges' Report
An impressive and creative exploration of the self, culture, joy, and form, this collection of essays is simultaneously generous, indulgent and economical. A fun and experimental book, Chua brings you into her world in an honest and self-effacing way, creating a compelling read. Echoes is a true expression of what it means to (re)connect with one’s culture, blending memoir, cultural commentary, and translation with brief vignettes that leave a lasting impact. There is a rhythm to the writing that is poetic in nature creating an elegant, resonant, and tender read. Echoes is a truly unique and experimental book that showcases the power of small publishing.
We Are Speaking in Code
Exploring themes of family, identity, sexuality and belonging, We Are Speaking in Code is a warm, engaging and thought-provoking collection of essays reflecting the immigrant experience.
Judges' Report
Exploring themes of family, identity, sexuality and belonging, We Are Speaking in Code is a warm, engaging and thought-provoking collection of essays reflecting the immigrant experience. Extremely funny and joyful, this book is also thoughtful and insightful, discussing family heritage and how knowledge can be lost across generations, while also exploring Vavilova’s coming of age. Pushing understandings of subjectivity, Vavilova’s beautiful writing is also wonderfully engaging and intensely personal, drawing the reader in to relate to each emotion while simultaneously keeping them at the edge of every experience.
The Shortlist
Echoes
Echoes [a collection of essays] is a true expression of what it means to (re)connect with one’s culture, blending memoir, cultural commentary and translation with brief vignettes that leave a lasting impact.
Judges' Report
An impressive and creative exploration of the self, culture, joy, and form, this collection of essays is simultaneously generous, indulgent and economical. A fun and experimental book, Chua brings you into her world in an honest and self-effacing way, creating a compelling read. Echoes is a true expression of what it means to (re)connect with one’s culture, blending memoir, cultural commentary, and translation with brief vignettes that leave a lasting impact. There is a rhythm to the writing that is poetic in nature creating an elegant, resonant, and tender read. Echoes is a truly unique and experimental book that showcases the power of small publishing.
We Are Speaking in Code
Exploring themes of family, identity, sexuality and belonging, We Are Speaking in Code is a warm, engaging and thought-provoking collection of essays reflecting the immigrant experience.
Judges' Report
Exploring themes of family, identity, sexuality and belonging, We Are Speaking in Code is a warm, engaging and thought-provoking collection of essays reflecting the immigrant experience. Extremely funny and joyful, this book is also thoughtful and insightful, discussing family heritage and how knowledge can be lost across generations, while also exploring Vavilova’s coming of age. Pushing understandings of subjectivity, Vavilova’s beautiful writing is also wonderfully engaging and intensely personal, drawing the reader in to relate to each emotion while simultaneously keeping them at the edge of every experience.
Almost a Mirror
Almost a Mirror unfolds like a long night out […] the novel invites reflection on the sensory possibilities of prose fiction, as well as conjuring the aesthetics of the late 20th century.
Judges' Report
Almost a Mirror unfolds like a long night out, where you feel you live many lives from the time you leave home at 9pm until arriving home in first light, softer and transformed and a little bit in love with everything. Consciously drawing in other art forms – music and photography – the novel invites reflection on the sensory possibilities of prose fiction, as well as conjuring the aesthetics of the late 20th century. Reading Kristen Krauth’s novel is like wandering around inside a Bill Henson photograph, listening to a Nick Cave concert; Transit Lounge’s intriguing cover and overall production serve the atmosphere of the novel beautifully.
The Tiniest House of Time
A unique book in the world of Australian small press publishing, The Tiniest House of Time takes readers beyond domestic borders and Western history.
Judges' Report
A unique book in the world of Australian small press publishing, The Tiniest House of Time takes readers beyond domestic borders and Western history. Moving between the Tamil genocide in colonial Burma to the 90’s political tensions of Malaysia’s Reformasi movement and present-day Kuala Lumpur, this book explores how we continue to see history repeat itself even in its most heartbreaking forms. Reflecting on the long-term consequences of these eras, readers can see how dangerous our lack of knowledge about certain periods of history can be. If we don’t know it happened, how can we make sure we don’t repeat it?
Collisions: A Liminal Anthology
Collisions is an extraordinarily creative anthology of short fiction clustering the stories around the themes of Bodies, Momentum and Contact.
Judges' Report
Collisions is an extraordinarily creative anthology of short fiction clustering the stories around the themes of Bodies, Momentum and Contact. The introduction establishes the foundation of the collection, grounding it in Australia’s history of colonial conflict and violence. The stories in the collection intersect with this foundation in myriad ways, expertly exploring the notion of connection and belonging, the relationship between history and fiction and the future of the self and the body. With a broad range of backgrounds, each writer infuses their identity into their work, giving us stories that move away from the white norm but still present the Australia we all live in.
Taking Down Evelyn Tait
A fun, lively and fast-paced coming of age novel that explores the different dynamics and fallout from a newly joint family, Taking Down Evelyn Tait is YA fiction at its finest.
Judges' Report
A fun, lively and fast-paced coming of age novel that explores the different dynamics and fallout from a newly joint family, Taking Down Evelyn Tait is YA fiction at its finest. Showcasing realistic character growth that still allows the main character to maintain their chaotic self, this fresh, funny read doesn’t hold back from tackling more difficult topics like changing friendship dynamics, messy family relationships, and substance abuse. The characters are relatable and the angst (and love) is heartfelt with the sort of friendship we love to see in YA. An equally magnetic and chaotic read.