According to the BBC, judges for the 2011 Man Booker prize were given e-readers for the first time to help them read through over 100 novels. This year the submitters were asked to provide entries in both physical and digital format. The presence of e-readers and digital submissions cuts down on postage costs by removing the need to mail entries to the judges, although judges will still be able to request hard copies if so desired. A spokeswoman for the prize said the change in submission guidelines allows more flexibility (for the judges).

“The technology is there, so we should use it to give the judges the option,” she said.