NOS News•today, 7:32 PM
Writer Anya Niewierra is the winner of the NS Audience Award. Her book The Camino received 34 percent of the 106,914 votes cast. “I am honored, moved, but above all extremely grateful,” Niewierra said to the organization of the prize.
In addition to her work as an author, 59-year-old Niewierra has a full-time job. She is director of the South Limburg Tourist Office. In the EenVandaag broadcast, where the results were announced, she thanked her publisher and husband. “They took a lot off my hands, I have to give them that honor.”
Fraud in previous edition
Last year the prize was not awarded because, according to the organization, large-scale voting fraud had occurred. This time a series of measures had been taken to prevent a new fiasco.
Unlike previous editions, readers could now only vote for one of the six best-selling books. The other nominations were Alter ego by Esther Verhoef, The Royal house by Herman Koch, Coral reef by Suzanne Vermeer, What Silence Wants by Arthur Japin and We were, I am. Get out of Ruinerwold by Israel van Dorsten.
As the winner of the prize, Niewierra receives 7,500 euros. She also receives a sculpture by artist Jeroen Henneman.
