Good stuff & bad stuff about the Crocodile Prize
06 June 2012
KEITH JACKSON
THERE’S A LOT THAT’S GONE RIGHT with the 2012 Crocodile Prize. And a bit that’s gone wrong, as you’d expect with any human endeavour.
One thing that’s gone spectacularly right is the contest we held, which you probably didn’t notice, to find a cover for the Anthology: the book containing the best Papua New Guinean writing in 2012.
One of the favoured entries is to the right. Another is down this story a bit further. (And please feel free to tell us what you think of them.)
Other things that went well are also important things: a threefold increase in writers entering the contest; a fourfold increase in submissions; the terrific support from some great sponsors whose generosity ensures the prizes to be offered are really worthwhile (our sponsors’ names are at the end of this article – we are deeply grateful to them).
Because of the sponsors, the categories of awards have expanded from four to seven, with the addition of prizes for heritage literature, student writing and lifetime contribution to PNG literature.
AustAsia Pacific Health Services has sponsored the important Writers Forum – with its special guest author, Drusilla Modjeska.
And the Australian High Commission in PNG continues its sterling support. As does the PNG Post-Courier, our partners in what The National would probably call crime (the crime of succeeding without The National), thanks to Post-Courier editor Blaise Nangoi and our dear friend, features editor Big Pat Levo.
Then there are people like Russell Soaba and Ruth Moiam and Amanda Donigi and Jimmy Drekore and Michael Dom and David Kitchnoge; good people who act to make sure things happen. And I haven’t even mentioned Phil Fitzpatrick yet….
And not a word more should be written without a salute to the PNG Society of Writers, Editors and Publishers that was established this year - 70 members already.
Then there were the failures … there were.
The Australian foreign affairs department not coming to the party to ensure the Anthology (PNG writing for PNG readers) would enjoy a strong print run. All we asked DFAT to do was provide funding to print a book, not start a war for god’s sake. Apparently DFAT doesn't do PNG writing for PNG readers.
And then there was a let down from a website designer (who promised), a printer (who promised) and a few other promises (including a promising overture from PNG LNG that turned to clay) that weren’t kept and that – at the end of the day – didn’t matter, because we’re getting there anyway.
The one I feel strongest about, in case you hadn’t guessed, is the failure of DFAT to ensure the Anthology 2012 gets into the hands of as many Papua New Guineans as possible.
Any people on the face of this globe who don’t have the opportunity to read their own literature are an impoverished people. DFAT clearly is asleep to that deep truth. About time Bob 'Thoughtlines' Carr woke them up and got them thinking.
And so to our great sponsors (who I thank on behalf of you all) -
AustAsia Pacific Health Services Writers Forums
Australian High Commission Support for book publication
British American Tobacco (PNG) Prize for Lifetime Contribution to Literature [Sir Paulias Matane Award]
Chalkies' Prize for Student Writing [Yokomo Award]
Cleland Family Prize for Heritage Literature
Mike Ahrens General support
Moore Printing Prize for Poetry [John Kasaipwalova Award]
MRSM Group General support
Ok Tedi Mining Prize for Women's Literature [Dame Carol Kidu Award]
PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum Prize for Essays & Journalism [Sean Dorney Award]
Star Mountains Institute of Technology General support
Steamships Prize for Short Stories [Russell Soaba Award]
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office General support
Lawrence - Reasonable argument. But then 'you can't tell a book by its cover'.
We can't expect primary school students to pick up the anthology and read it, they must first be made aware and inspired - it must be read to them.
Only then will they seek the book - and the cover must speak to them about who the work represents.
Posted by: Michael Dom | 07 June 2012 at 12:50 PM
What is primary purpose for printing the anthology? Who are the people you really want to open the book when they see the cover?
Old farts like me will read it anyway if it had a brown paper cover. What grabs your regular contributors is irrelevant.
If you want the primary school students in PNG to read the book then ask them which is the best cover!
Posted by: Laurence Quinlivan | 07 June 2012 at 10:13 AM
I think the green pukpuk is really cute :). However I think that the second image is more appropriate for the anthology cover.
Posted by: Fiona Hukula | 06 June 2012 at 08:02 PM
I think both images are great. I would therefore suggest the two images be combined to form one single image (don't know whether this within the rules).
The croc, pencil and text on the second image can be overlayed onto the light green back ground as in the first image.
The color of the croc on the second design can be changed to dark green as in the first image.
Posted by: Michael Kara | 06 June 2012 at 06:41 PM
I must admit that I like the first cover but I guess we'd better go with the punters.
However, I think we might be able to squeeze Frangipani Croc(duly re-tinted Michael) somewhere into the scheme of things.
Posted by: Phil Fitzpatrick | 06 June 2012 at 02:38 PM
We'll get back to you all about pre-orders when we've sorted out our finances Lucy.
Would have been a lot easier if DFAT had come to the party, we wouldn't have to watch the pennies so closely.
Posted by: Phil Fitzpatrick | 06 June 2012 at 02:30 PM
These covers are amazing; kudos to the artists. I love both covers but if I’d have to choose then I’d say the second definitely ticks the box.
Posted by: Bernard Sinai | 06 June 2012 at 01:49 PM
I like the first cover. When I read the book, I want to be as chilled out as the croc.
Are yu going to take pre-printing orders and payment to help cover printing cost?
Posted by: Lucy Timmer | 06 June 2012 at 12:30 PM
Hell, I must be the odd one out! Cover one does it for me.
The green crocodile has clearly savoured the reading in the 2011 anthology, and is now lolling back in his favourite reading spot and pose, and looking forward to a feast of good reading in the 2012 collection.
Good on you, Croc, and happy reading!
Posted by: Laurie Meintjes | 06 June 2012 at 09:28 AM
Thanks Keith - The second design appears to be the unanimous pick at this stage.
Posted by: David Kitchnoge | 06 June 2012 at 08:55 AM
I think I like the second Crocodile better, gives it a bit more prestige.
I'm genuinely disappointed that PNG LNG did not pull through with their support.
This is perhaps one of the most important public competitions that has ever been initiated for PNG.
Thank you Keith and team for focusing on the important things.
Posted by: Emmanuel Narokobi | 06 June 2012 at 08:47 AM
I agree with Leonard, the Crocodile Prize Anthology is a serious work so the second design seems more appropriate for the stage we are at, although I must admit the first design put a grin on my face to make any old pukpuk jealous. (Note: wrong color scheme on the frangipani.)
Eureka! Martyn, the difference between poets, priests and politicians is piety and imagination.
Poets and politicians may swing either way on the former, but poets have more than enough of the latter to make up for the lack of it in their counterparts.
More power to the Croc!
Posted by: Michael Dom | 06 June 2012 at 08:31 AM
I too would like to settle for number 2. The inclusion of the pencil is a perfect metaphorical display of writers and poets at work.
Posted by: Jimmy Drekore | 06 June 2012 at 08:25 AM
Keith - Like Martyn and Leonard, I think the second suggestion is a far more mature looking one. The first looks like something for kindergarten.
Posted by: Colin Huggins | 06 June 2012 at 08:23 AM
I prefer the second one. I think the green crocodile looks like "snappy the green crocodile" which was a German kid's ringtone song that became a global hit.
I did mention to Mr Marles the significance of the Crocodile Prize in stimulating a National discourse and encouraging critical thinking in PNG.
Sadly, my impression of the response I got was that Mr Marles would rather have people reading his rantings on some obscure blog.
Posted by: Martyn Namorong | 06 June 2012 at 07:45 AM
Keith - With the anthology cover, I go for the second artwork.
My liking comes about because of the way the crocodile is portrayed.
In the first, I see that the reptile is more in a state of idleness or relaxed manner.
This contradicts our writing culture, in PNG we need to work more to improve or to make a mark in the literary world.
Looking at the second image of the reptile, it is more at work and that is reflective of what we in PNG should be doing.
Another point, I think, we, especially me, have been injecting so much into the Crocodile Prize without contributing to some level of self-reliance for our great competition.
I suggest, as off next year, we start registering with money (a K50 can do) and participate to help ourselves up and running.
__________
Thanks for the suggestions, Leonard. We have some great sponsors for the contest and they preclude the need to ask our entrants for funds. My view is that the writers contribute hugely already through their wonderful work and the time they spend in the act of creation. But nice of you to offer - KJ
Posted by: Leonard Roka | 06 June 2012 at 07:19 AM