Also, as a writer (if I ever were to be published), I’d much rather have normal people love my books than have fancy pinkie-raising juries appreciate my technique. Of course, awards are great and all, but if I had to choose, I’d choose popularity, even if neither gave me any money.

I think the definition of literary fiction (as opposed to commercial fiction) is “a novel, short story or novella that people will pretend to like in order to appear smarter.”

But, of course, that doesn’t make it bad.

Anyway, the Booker doesn’t guarantee sales anymore. For the last two years Katie Price (the glamour model “Jordan”) has outsold the entire Booker shortlist. The Booker has also lauded some unreadable trash, including DBC Pierre and John Banville (who now writes crime as Benjamin Black, proving you can write badly in commercial and literary fields).

I’ll take the sales any day. I’ve seen enough bad books lauded as literary masterpieces to know that such praise is hollow and worthless. And let’s not discount the fans who buy our books without them being Booker-nominated – I’ve received so many intelligent and beautifully written emails from readers, people whose opinions are far more valuable than those of the critics because they write from the heart and have nothing to gain in writing it. I have no doubt you’ve received many similar, Justine.

The buying part is just as important as the burning though.

Re tuppence: I don’t imagine you mean the 2p coin, which was only recently (1971) minted. The original literary tuppence was from back when a pound had 20 shillings and a shilling 12 pence. You may imagine the irreplaceable hours of childhood I wasted while forced to do maths using the old system, to boot in a British economic colony that didn’t even use the currency in daily life!!! More on point, it was a silver coin up to the Edwardian era, later copper. Around the time of the American Revolution it might have been a day’s wage for a farm laborer.

Maud Newton led me here and I love your blog. Can an old adult read YA fiction?

Um…not strictly true. Hopefully, I won’t have to choose. So far, I’ve had a moderate amount of both critical acclaim (glowing reviews in major newspapers, Illinois Arts Council literary award) and money (six-figure deal from HarperCollins). I’d like more of both — but if I had to pick, I’d pick critical acclaim. In a heartbeat.

My family might not approve of that choice.

But I can make money elsewhere, if needed. Only with my writing can I try to make art.

I like the explanation of “whipsmart.” I always thought it had to do with the quickness of wit– that the intelligence is quick like the snap of a whip. Of course, the OED would know for sure.

Mary Elizabeth: Huh. At last I understand that expression.