Srilanka, May 14 -- Now that the Gratiaen short list has been announced, I'd like to congratulate everyone listed. They wouldn't be there if they didn't deserve it.

But I am puzzled. I submitted my published novel 'The Shark Binder' for the Gratiaen Award 2025. Entries closed on December 31, 2024, and this edition by Neptune came out two months earlier.

I won the Gratiaen with my first novel, 'The Mirage', in 1995. 'The Shark Binder' was my first attempt at fiction for the Gratiaen after that win. I thought this book, a historical romance, would be a strong contender. Some of those who read it felt that way, too, and encouraged me.

When the long list was announced two weeks ago, The Shark Binder was not there. That surprised me, since...