The Importance of Being Shortlisted

It is just worth remembering quite what a boost even being shortlisted or longlisted gives to a book. For judges, that brings with it a certain sense of responsibility and an obligation. It's idle to suggest that you can shut yourself off from those influences. I think it also goes to the heart of kind of, which you put across so well in your pieces,. kind of slight cynicism that the public can have about sort of what goes on behind closed doors.