Brady examines the history of The Australian /Vogel National Literary Award, including the various controversies that have surrounded it, and details the annual judging process for the Vogel. After explaining the methodology used by a Griffith University team to research the Vogel's winning and shortlisted authors, Brady applies the research findings to dispelling three myths surrounding the prize: 'that it is a one-book wonder prize; that in order to get the benefits of the prize the writer needs to be the winner; that the winners can come from any background and are not necessarily coming from the university sector'.