In today's world of fast-moving technology, it was only a matter of time before electronic titles would also be competing for literary awards. The wait is over: Microsoft announced at opening day at the Frankfurt Book Fair that it is establishing the Frankfurt eBook Awards for the best digitized books available electronically and formatted according to the OpenBook ( B) specification that many eBook pioneers want to see adopted as the official international standard for electronic publishing.
First prizes will be awarded at the next Frankfurt fair and will include a $100,000 grand prize for the best book originally published in eBook form; four $10,000 prizes were also announced for eBooks originally and eventually published in eBook in electronic form. Two more $10,000 awards will be given for best spoken-word or audiobook title delivered in digital form and a technology achievement award for the advancement of electronic publishing.
Dick Brass, Microsoft's v-p of technology development, noted that its goal is to give more incentive for electronic publishing. Others who could benefit -- NovoMedia, Inc., makers of the Rocket eBook, and digital publishing pioneer SoftBook Press -- are co-sponsoring the eBook awards. Alberto Vitale, chairman emeritus at Random House, is chairman of organization that will select the winners. Eligibility rules and more will be available on the Web at http://frankfurt-ebook-awards.org/ around November 1.
