Metalwork, Mongol warrior vie for odd-book prize

LONDON – Metalwork, multicolored mutts and a Mongol warrior are in the running for Britain's quirkiest literary award, the Diagram Prize for year's oddest book title.

The six finalists announced Friday include "8th International Friction Stir Welding Symposium Proceedings," canine personality guide "What Color is Your Dog?" and "Managing a Dental Practice: The Genghis Khan Way."

Also in the running are organ procurement study "The Generosity of the Dead," romance novel "The Italian's One-Night Love Child" and "Myth of the Social Volcano," a look at demographics in China.

The prize, run by trade magazine The Bookseller, was founded in 1978.

Its rules say the books must be serious and their titles not merely a gimmick.

The will be decided by public vote, will be announced March 25.

The award carries no cash prize, but prize administrator Philip Stone said last year's champion, "Crocheting Adventures with Hyperbolic Planes," saw its sales leap from half a dozen copies a week to 95 copies in the seven days after winning.

"You can't buy that kind of publicity," he said.

Other previous champions include "Bombproof Your Horse," ''Highlights in the History of Concrete" and "The Stray Shopping Carts of Eastern North America: A Guide to Field Identification."

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