The Big Book National Literary Prize is one of the largest in the entire CIS. In addition, it is considered the second largest prize fund - after the Nobel prize. All applicants for the "Big Book" prizes are evaluated by experts from the jury, which is called the Literary Academy.
The path to receiving the coveted prize begins with the application. The author can propose his own work. Publishing houses, mass media, government bodies, creative unions and members of the Big Book jury also have the right to nominate candidates. Not only published books, but also manuscripts are accepted for consideration. True, the authors themselves can nominate only published works for the prize.
All submitted works are evaluated by members of the Literary Academy. This jury includes experts - writers, playwrights and poets, publishers, cultural figures, scientists, media and business representatives, public and state leaders - a total of more than a hundred people.
The works submitted to the competition are read by the Council of Experts of the Prize. They give their verdict, the votes are counted, and a long list is drawn up based on these results. The number of authors on this list is not limited. The list of applicants must be drawn up by April 30. The names of the authors and the titles of the books are announced by the chairman of the expert council and published on the website of the award.
The best of the selected works - from 8 to 15 - are included in the list of finalists for the Big Book Prize. These works are read by all members of the jury - the Literary Academy, each expert gives his own assessment. The winners are selected by simple vote count. Those nominees who received the most points receive an award. If several works have an equal number of points, the counting committee will compare the number of ballots in which the highest score was given. In addition, in disputable cases, a second vote may be appointed.
The jury members can gather for a face-to-face meeting - this happens in the most difficult cases, at the initiative of at least 10 experts. During the discussion, they have the opportunity to substantiate their point of view and make a common decision.
As part of the Big Book Prize, the Audience Choice Award is presented. The reader's vote opens immediately after the names of the authors who are included in the list of the Big Book finalists are published on the official website.
