The literary prize season is open, the city of Saint-Lys cannot deviate from this rule. Among the 31 authors signing, two preselected will be awarded the City Prize and the Teen Favorite.
“The literary prizes have more importance for regional authors than on a national scale. We have always done it even during covid by video. This year, the authors are very eclectic at all levels (edition, style writing). It was between two authors”, explains Camille Le Guyader, librarian.
Following the creation of the City Prize, it seemed wise to create a prize dedicated to youth. The first teen favorite was awarded in 2012 to Claire-Lise Marguier for Do or Die, a contemporary novel which talks about bullying and its consequences by offering two possible endings.
“The jury is made up of readers between 13 and 18 years old. Their number has varied depending on the year. Initially it was mainly female readers but in recent years the number of readers has increased. The members of the jury read 3 genre novels different and classifies them in order of preference, in accordance with Daniel Pennac's reader's right, they have the right not to finish a book; reading must remain a pleasure”, explains Nathalie Fouraignan, passionate librarian.
This year, four novels are nominated: A Piece of You from the trilogy The Office of Unsolved Affairs by Christophe Guillaumot, selected during a meeting at the Seysses book fair; Pyramid by Gaëtan Maran; The Gift of Dragons by Mikaël Moutard; the first volume of Supernova by Axelle Ménéglier spotted following an article published in La Dépêche after winning a competition launched on TikTok.
Beyond these two honorary titles, the Salon allows the intervention of authors within schools which remains a significant event, “this book brings children to culture”, comments Fabrice Planchon. It is also rumored that an author will intervene at the college for two 3rd year classes.
If reading represents a cultural issue accessible to all, this type of event above all promotes the development of the imagination, an openness to the world, and why not future vocations.
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