And regardless of which book wins, debut or little-known authors have been afforded lots of publicity.

Other big-name novelists have also signed seven-figure contracts at a time when a novel by a little-known author is lucky to command an advance of $15,000.

Long-Term Investments When publishers pay big money to little-known authors, they tend to do so as a long-term investment.

On Friday, the government decided not to ban a novel by a little-known author about a pedophile murderer.

Like many little-known authors, Janis Jaquith often wishes that some of the people buying best sellers would pick up her book instead.

To begin with, they buy books, making the publication of novels by little-known authors possible.

But generally, translations cost more to publish yet do not sell any better than books by little-known American authors.

As publishers focus on blockbusters, they steadily lose interest in little-known authors from other countries.

Winners each receive a bronze sculpture and $10,000, although the award's greatest benefit is often in increased sales, especially when little-known authors are suddenly thrust into the spotlight.

B. Dalton has begun its first campaign to promote little-known or first-time authors.