The Orwell Prize partners with Exact Editions to virtually showcase shortlists 

The Orwell Prize has partnered with Exact Editions to virtually showcase shortlists.  

The 17 books shortlisted for political fiction and political writing are available as fully searchable digital previews on the prize’s website, powered by Exact Editions’ Reading Rooms for Books technology. The books are organised into two collections based on which prize they are shortlisted for, along with an accompanying direct shop link where print copies can be purchased. 

In a press release, Exact Editions explained: “The Reading Rooms for Books platform allows book prizes to invite publishers to be part of virtual book showcases. The publishers themselves can decide how much of the book to make available to preview, while the book prize can decide for how long they want access to the showcase to last.” 

The Orwell Foundation is integrating the marketing platform as part of their strategy in the build-up to the awards ceremony on 22nd of June. Exact Editions told The Bookseller it hopes to be involved in other prizes in future.  

James Tookey, book prize administrator at the Orwell Foundation, said: “The books are intuitively and vibrantly displayed on the Exact Editions’ platform and provide the perfect way for readers to get a taste of the importance of the political titles that make up the shortlists.” 

Daryl Rayner, managing director of Exact Editions, added: “Showcasing the Orwell Prize’s impressive shortlists virtually adds a new dimension to the marketing and publicity possibilities available to the foundation. The time-limited functionality of the platform in particular lends itself to events that span a specific window of time, such as book prizes.” 

The public can view the virtual book showcase for this year’s shortlists for The Orwell Prize here until 22nd June 2023.