Thursday 15 July 2010

Awards, Awards, Awards!


The blog has been quiet owing to a few days away in Devon with my family but I have still been keeping tabs on events in the book world for you...

Last night I had the pleasure of joining publishers, authors, children and their families as well as other librarians and book review magazine editors at Walker Books for the announcement of the Branford Boase award.

Anyone unfamiliar with this award and wanting more information should visit the website at http://www.branfordboaseaward.org.uk/BBA/bbastart.html However what I will tell you is the this award, for the a first time novelist and their editor went to the thrilled and very nervous Lucy Christopher for her book Stolen. Lucy's editor Imogen Cooper also received an award and between them they offered thanks to a great team at Chicken House and most especially Barry Cunningham for spotting Lucy's talent. She will certainly be an author to watch, as will all those who reached the shortlist for this award has a habit of finding authors who certainly make it bog after their first novel and continue to write with strength and imagination!

This award is the only one to recognise the editor as well as author of a new novel, it is a hugely encouraging award and comes with a beautiful hand carved presentation box as well as a nice cheque! Julia Eccleshare, chair of judges was equally complimentary and Lucy was keen to note the strong competition that she had been up against so do take a look at all the authors on the shortlist and watch out for them becoming big names.



At the same time an award was also presented to six young people, winners of the Henrietta Branford Writing Competition, their stories can be read on the website and their names could certainly be ones to look out for in future years.
Thanks to Walker Books for sponsoring the award and throwing such a great party, it was a lovely mix of people and a great atmosphere, a true celebration of new and emerging talent that will hopefully continue to go from strength to strength.








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