You may know about the Wizbang Weblog Awards 2003. But there's more.

Royby tipped me to the coming British Blog awards:

Guardian Unlimited is launching a competition to promote and reward the best of British blogging. The panel of 22 judges will pick winners for five different categories: best design, best specialist, best use of photography, best under 18 and best written. You can enter your blog in as many categories as you like. The deadline for entries is November 21. The winners will be announced on December 18. The winner of each category will receive a cheque for £500.

We also have Phil Ingram's Asia Blog Awards. Blogs compete for Best Of region/language (Best Hong Kong blog, Mainland China blog, Taiwanese blog, Singapore, Malaysian, Thai, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Philippines, Indian, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Asian blog in English as a second language, Asian blog in an Asian language as a second language) and for Best Foreign (non Asian) blog, Funniest blog, Best political blog, Best designed blog, Best Newcomer in 2003, Best Essayist, Best journal/diary, Best Photoblog. I really like that Phil recognizes the value of gateway bloggers who bridge the blogosphere's language islands.

Blogging's a global meme. It's maturing. How do awards figure in?

These awards pick the great read from the millions. The awards are fun. Sort of the

But as blogging becomes more important to more people, so will blogging awards. Awards can direct attention to what is meaningful, important, improved, and other factors that affect the quality and health of the blogosphere. This year, blogging awards are novelty blogrolls. I'd like to see them evolve. Become the Pulitzer. Become the Time Person of the Year. Become the Clio. Become the Man Booker Prize. Become the Fields Medal. Become the Nobel. Challenge bloggers everywhere to excel, to find their voice, to turn reading and writing into action.

I'm available for nominations.