Public to decide new book awards; GNs included

Had enough of those snobby book awards that honor works and authors you've never heard of? NBC Universal Television and Reed Business International (publisher of Variety and Publishers Weekly) have announced plans for a new national book award, with winners to be selected by the public voting online and in bookstores.

The awards, called The Quills, will include some 15 categories, from Book of the Year and Literary Fiction to Suspense/Mystery or Thriler and Graphic Novel of the Year.

Selections will begin in May, with a board of 6,000 booksellers and librarians choosing the nominees. The awards will be broadcast in October on NBC.