Sponsor shuts the book on glitzy Quill awards
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. book award program created three years ago to bring glamour to the world of publishing and promote literacy has been shelved, its primary sponsor Reed Business Information said on Tuesday.
In a statement on www.publishersweekly.com, the publishing company gave no reason for its decision to end support for The Quill Literacy Foundation and the accompanying black tie Quill Awards, which were televised every year by NBC.
Quill awards were given to the best books of the year in 19 categories including humor, romance, science fiction/fantasy/horror, sports, health/self improvement and religion/spirituality. They were voted on by more than 6,000 invited booksellers and librarians
Former Vice President Al Gore was among the 2007 winners for "The Assault on Reason," announced in October at an event attended by celebrities including actresses Brooke Shields and Joan Allen and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York.
"As part of the dissolution of the Quills, the remaining foundation funds will be distributed to (book-related charities) First Book and to Literacy Partners," the statement said. It did not say how much money would be distributed.
Reed Business Information is owned by Reed-Elsevier and was recently put up for sale by the company.
(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
