This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
The 2013 Pandora Award, given annually to a woman for her significant contribution to publishing, has been awarded to Carole Blake.
Carole, who co-founded the Blake Friedmann literary agency in London, was selected from a shortlist, which included Miranda McKearney OBE – founding director at The Reading Agency, Rebecca Smart – CEO at Osprey Group and Anna Rafferty – MD at Penguin Digital.
Having celebrated 50 years of working in the publishing industry this year, Carole has previously been President of the Association of Authors' Agents and Chairman of the Society of Bookmen, only the second female Chair since the Society was founded in 1921. Today, she heads the books division of Blake Friedmann, which represents around 200 writers.
“I was truly astonished to win last night. The other three women on the list have accomplished so much, being shortlisted with them was an honour enough. I was so surprised, I think I just gabbled when accepting it!” Carole told us.
She continued: “It’s wonderfully amusing that the award is actually a box – a beautiful antique writing box, which I get to keep for a year before handing it on to the next lucky recipient. So, I actually travelled to work today with Pandora’s Box, which might have alarmed my fellow tube travellers had they known. I am thrilled, surprised, grateful.”
Congratulations, Carole!