Goblinproofing One's Chicken Coup Wins Oddest Book Title of the Year

Posted on March 22, 2013

The winner of the Diagram Prize for Oddest Book Title of the Year is Goblinproofing One's Chicken Coop: And Other Practical Advice In Our Campaign Against The Fairy Kingdom. The how-to book explains how to keep goblins out of your chicken coop, an invaluable resource for those trying to protect chickens from goblins and other dark fairy creatures. The book is written by "fairy hunter" Reginal Bakeley.

The book's editor, Clint March, who wrote the foreward, said in a statement, "On behalf of Reginald Bakeley and Conari Press, I am honoured to accept this award. The Diagram Prize celebrates the playfulness that is at the heart of much of the world's best book publishing. Thank you to everyone who voted and allowed Goblinproofing to join the distinguished list of Diagram winners. Reginald and I take this as a clear sign that people have had enough of goblins in their chicken coops. Our campaign against the fairy kingdom continues."

Here are the other amusing titles on the shortlist:

• Was Hitler Ill? by Henrik Eberle and Hans-Joachim Neumann (Polity)
• Lofts of North America: Pigeon Lofts by Jerry Gagne (Foy's Pet Supplies)
• How to Sharpen Pencils by David Rees (Melville House)
• God's Doodle by Tom Hickman (Square Peg)
• How Tea Cosies Changed the World by Loani Prior (Murdoch).

Photo: Conari Press