Hear from past entrants and winners

Past entrants and winners share why they entered the awards and the benefits they have gained from doing so.

‘The absolute highlight of my career is being recognised by the ABBA 2019. There has been no greater privilege than to have Future Fit read, assessed and awarded the Business Book of the Year by this panel of experts in publishing.’

Andrea Clarke, author of Future Fit and Book of the Year winner 2019

‘Being part of the ABBAs was amazing for my book Cadence … and winning the Best Audiobook award was not just a huge honour, but a huge impact to awareness and sales – which is what every author really wants!’

Pete Williams, author of Cadence and winner of Best Audiobook category 2019

‘I’m still a bit shocked that my book Right Seat Right Table won Best Leadership Book in 2019. When I wrote it – for aspiring directors who consider themselves “outsiders” to the boardroom – I didn’t for a minute think it would win awards, not least something as prestigious as the Australian Business Book Awards. I was actually lying in bed in New Zealand when the announcements were made and my wife has never seen me so speechless. Despite the shock, I highly recommend these awards to other first-time authors like me. If you believe in what you are doing and what you have written, don’t hold back entering. Please give it go … you never know what might happen.’

Paul Smith, author of Right Seat Right Table and winner of the Best Leadership Book category 2019

‘When we wrote Women Kind one of our main aims was to reach readers in the business community: we wanted to spread the word about the uplifting impact of the #CelebratingWomen social media campaign, and how women supporting women has delivered results in all kinds of workplaces. So it was a particular thrill to win a 2019 Australian Business Book Award because it clearly recognised that addressing gender diversity is a core business issue. The enthusiastic reaction to the award surprised and delighted us, and shows that launching ABBA was a great idea.’

Dr Kirstin Ferguson and Catherine Fox, authors of Women Kind and winners of the Management and HR category 2019

‘The Australian Business Book Awards is a great initiative that supports both aspiring writers and also the very worthy cause that is supporting the development of literacy among our First Nations people.

‘I found the process of entering last year to be very easy, organised and a bit of fun too. To my complete surprise and gratitude, my book was a winner in one category and was shortlisted for Book of the Year. I was very humbled as there appeared to be some wonderful books in all categories.

‘My learning or message is not to underestimate yourself or overestimate others. If you have achieved as much and come as far as publishing a book, think about taking the next step and putting it “out there”. The Australian Business Book Awards is a great place to start. You might surprise yourself!’

Neil Alcorn, author of What’s Your Baby Thinking? and winner of the Health and Wellbeing category 2019