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Lily Allen to judge Orange Prize
Lily Allen has been selected as a judge for next year's Orange Prize for Fiction.
The 22-year-old popstrel will join the panel along with the broadcaster Kirsty Lang, who has been named as chairman.
The choice to include the singer has been met with criticism that organisers of the women-only £30,000 literary award were seeking 'celebrity over seriousness.'
Maggie Gee, chairman of the Royal Society of Literature said: 'Where is the seriousness here? Lily would be fine as the light relief, her songs are great. If Lily reads a lot, whole books and serious books, then she is a fair choice. But that is not something she is known for.'
She added: 'If she has just been chosen for her celebrity then that seems to be a ridiculous thing.'
Of the panel of five, three judges are writers, including journalist Lisa Allardice and newspaper agony aunt, Bel Mooney. Philippa Gregory - who has written thrillers, comedies and historical fiction - is also on the panel.
Wednesday 12 December 2007
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Lily is a singer and isn't exactly short of work at the moment. Whereas a lot of writers are. People like Lily are greedy.
Comment by amanda weeks on December 12 16:06
Well, it is the regular Joe Bloggs who also reads these books, so why are their opinions not credible??? I don't think you have to be a writer to appreciate literature. Maybe Lily being on the panel will encourage younger readers to take an interest in the prize and the books that are on the list.
Comment by Seema Bhambri on December 12 14:30