Funny Business: The Shirley-You-Jest Book Awards!

Something funny is going on--the Shirley You Jest! Book Awards are coming! And yes, that name was inspired by just the exchange that you think it was:

AIRPLANE!  (1980)
Rumack: Can you fly this plane, and land it?
Ted Striker: Surely you can't be serious.
Rumack: I am serious... and don't call me Shirley.

The SYJ! Awards will honor books that “bring the funny.” Between June 1 and August 1, authors are invited to submit their works of comedy and humorous fiction and nonfiction for consideration by a panel of independent judges. Four finalists in each category (fiction and nonfiction) will be selected by the end of August, and the four winners (first and second place, fiction and nonfiction) will be announced on November 1, National Authors’ Day. More information about eligibility, submissions, the judging process, and the prizes is in “The Contest” section of the SYJ! website. Please check it out, and feel free to encourage your favorite funny writers to submit to judgment!

They may be submitting to my judgment, actually. I’m excited to share that I’m one of the first-round judges for Nonfiction, and I’m looking forward to some fun and funny reading coming my way this summer...hich I will do my best to review in an appropriately amusing manner.

The Shirley You Jest! Book Awards are presented by Liz D Publicity and Promotions, and I appreciate being invited to participate in them.