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The Katharine Briggs Folklore Award
General information
The Katharine Briggs Folklore Award is an annual book prize established by the Folklore Society to encourage the study of folklore, to help improve the standard of folklore publications in Britain and Ireland, to establish the Folklore Society as an arbiter of excellence, and to commemorate the life and work of the distinguished scholar Katharine Mary Briggs (1898-1980; Society president 1969-1972).
For the purposes of the award, 'folklore studies' are interpreted broadly, to include all aspects of traditional and popular culture, narrative, beliefs, customs and folk arts, including studies with a literary, anthropological, linguistic, sociological or geographical bias.
The award is open to all books in English (not translations) on folklore having their first, original and initial publication in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland in the period from 1 June to the following 31 May, for award in the subsequent November. This can include new scholarly editions of previously published texts, but excludes reprints, folktales retold for children, and simple collections of tales devoid of scholarly apparatus.
Pamphlets, booklets and brochures do not constitute a 'book' for the purposes of the award. Where there is any doubt whether an entry is a 'book', the judges shall arbitrate and their decision is final. Books published by the Folklore Society, or written or published by a member of the Society's Committee are not eligible.
Each year there are three judges appointed by the Society's Committee. The Award Convenor cannot be a judge. The winning book will be that which, in the opinion of the judges, has made the most distinguished contribution to folklore studies in the year in question. However, judges may withhold the Award if, in their opinion, no book reaches the required standard. The judges' decision is final.
The Award is presented at the reception following the annual Katharine Briggs Lecture in November. The main prize is the Award itself, but the winning author will be presented with an engraved goblet and a cheque for £200.
Rules
The Folklore Society has established an annual book prize to be called 'The Katharine Briggs Folklore Award'. The purpose of the Award is to encourage the study of Folklore, to help improve the standard of Folklore publications in Britain, to establish The Folklore Society as an arbiter of excellence and to commemorate the life and work of Katharine M. Briggs.
'Folklore Studies' will be interpreted broadly, to include all aspects of traditional and popular culture, narrative, beliefs, customs and folk arts, including studies with a literary, anthropological, linguistic, sociological or geographical bias.
The Award is open to all books in English (normally not translations) on folklore having their first, original and initial publication in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland in the period from 1 June to the following 31 May, for award in the subsequent November. This can include new scholarly editions of previously published texts but excludes reprints, or folktales retold for children.
Pamphlets, booklets and brochures do not normally constitute a 'book' for the purpose of the KBFA. Where there is doubt that an entry is a 'book' or not, the Judges shall arbitrate and their decision is final.
Four copies of each book submitted for the Award must reach the Award Judges at the Society's office by 10 June for the Award the following November.
There will be three Judges appointed by the Folklore Society's Committee, one of whom will be the Society's President, or Vice-President or Publications Officer. The winning book will be that which, in the opinion of the Judges, made the most distinguished contribution to folklore studies in the year in question.
The Award will be presented at the Reception following the annual Katharine Briggs Lecture in November. The main prize will be the Award itself, but the winning author, or authors, will be presented with an engraved goblet and a cheque for £200. Where an author, or authors, is/are unable to attend the Reception in person, a representative of the publishers of the winning entry, will be invited to attend.
No book published by the Folklore Society, nor written or published by a member of the Society's Committee may be considered for the Award.
Books submitted for the Award will not be returned, including any subsequently disqualified according to these Rules.
The Judges may withhold the Award if, in their opinion, no book reaches the required standard.
The Judges' decision is final. The Convenor of Katharine Briggs Folklore Award cannot be a Judge.
The Society's Committee may amend these Rules as it sees fit in future years.
Submission procedure
The Convenor sends out a call for submissions each March, but unsolicited entries from either publishers or authors are also very welcome, as the Convenor's mailing list can never be comprehensive.
Four copies of each book submitted for the Award must reach the Society's office by 31 May to be eligible for the Award that November. Where books are published in late May, the entry form must be received in the office by 31 May and the books sent with a Post Office certificate of posting dated on or before 31 May. It is highly recommended that books be sent either by Registered/Recorded Delivery, or by courier. Books submitted for the Award will not be returned, even if subsequently disqualified according to the rules. Publishers and authors are therefore advised to read the rules with great care, as each year several books are disqualified, usually for falling outside the permitted dates of publication, or for being reprints or second editions.