Tag: book awards

Books, For Readers, More of Me, Writing Advice

The SCBWI Crystal Kite Award 2017

Kathryn Evans

By Kathryn Evans

Sometimes, when you start on a journey, there are certain dreams that seem ridiculously  beyond your reach but you dream them anyway because they just  keep you going.  And sometimes, ridiculously, no matter how far beyond your reach they seem,  those dreams can come true.

SCBWI_Crystal_Kite_Seal

 

The Society of Children’s Book writers and Illustrators is an organisation I’ve belonged to for years.  Through SCBWI workshops and critique groups I’ve learned my craft, and as a volunteer I’ve grown a hugely supportive network of friends and colleagues.

SCBWI members are a mix of published and unpublished writers all on a journey to produce the best work they can and I think that shows in the standard of entries for the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award.  It’s  a peer-given award to traditionally published writers and illustrators ,  recognising great books from 15 regions around the world.

Here are the  shortlisted titles  for the UK and Ireland in 2017 – I’ve read and loved them all – anyone of them would be a worthy winner.  In fact, if you’ve gaps in your To Be Read pile, take them as recommendations.

patrice - CopyPatrice Lawrence – Orange Boy

A gritty urban thriller with a powerful family drama at its heart – Winner of the Waterstones Prize for Older Children, Shortlisted for The Costa Prize.

 

 

Peter Bunzle – Cogheart cogheart

A steampunk tale of ambition, pursuit and revenge – The Guardian.  Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the Branford Boase Award.

 

eugene - CopyEugene Lambert

‘A thrilling YA sci-fi adventure reminiscent of Hunger Games and Star Wars … a fantastic page-turner with great characters in Kyle and Sky’  Booktrust

 

Ally Sherrick blackpowder

A gutsy  adventure-packed tale of the Guy Fawkes story told from 12 year old Tom’s point of view as he struggles to save his father in a world that’s against him.

 

 

lyingSue Wallman

In intense psychological thriller selected for the Zoella book Club and  a really brilliant page turner.

 

 

 

And  in case there is still space on your bookshelf, here are some previous winners…

2016

Teri Terrmindgamesy – Mind Games

A complex and futuristic thriller that, even at a hefty 433 pages, will leave you wanting more…another stunning example of Teri Terry doing what she does best (The School Librarian)

Teri has won so many awards I can’t even list them all.

 

2015

ratClaire Furniss – The Year of The Rat

Beautifully written and emotionally charged debut about love, loss and families. Would appeal to fans of Annabel Pitcher. (The Bookseller)
Shortlisted for the Branford Boase, Longlisted for the Cilip Carnegie Medal

 

 

And  the 2017 winner…

Me.

Well… More of Me by Kathryn Evans

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Buy at Hive or Amazon

Dreams really can come true if you just don’t give up.

More of Me by Kathryn Evans, winner of the 2017  Society of Childrens’ Book Writers and Illustrators Crystal Kite Award for UK and Ireland.

Pinch Me.

 

Book Reviews, Writing Advice

This is the one, isn’t it? CILIP Carnegie & Greenaway Medal 2015

Kathryn Evans
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Tinder, Sally Gardner & David Roberts Greenaway and Carnegie Shortlist

I realise this makes me look overly ambitious but, come on, this is the one we all dream about, isn’t it? Continue reading “This is the one, isn’t it? CILIP Carnegie & Greenaway Medal 2015” →

Book Reviews, Writing Advice

Take Heart, Writers in the Wings – Remember the Branford Boase Shortlist 2011

Kathryn Evans

Meg Rosoff just posted a blog about Battery Books . It’s nothing to do with the ipad and everything to do with Factory Book Production.

It briefly got me down – for a moment my vision was clouded with pulp fiction and celebrity books – but then I remembered this:

THE BRANFORD BOASE SHORTLIST 2011

I Am the Blade by J P Buxton, edited by Beverley Birch – Hachette 

When I Was Joe by Keren David, edited by Maurice Lyon- Frances Lincoln 

Tall Story by Candy Gourlay, edited by Bella Pearson – David Fickling 

Unhooking the Moon by Gregory Hughes, edited by Roisin Heycock – Quercus 

Out of Shadows by Jason Wallace, edited by Charlie Sheppard – Andersen Press 

The Crowfield Curse by Pat Walsh, edited by Imogen Cooper – Chicken House

I know some of these writers, some of them  quite well, and they’re terrific. Talented, hard working, innovative and persistent.

And I know some of the editors too – not well, but enough to know they are also talented, hard working, innovative and persistent.

So take heart, writers in the wings – it’s not all pulp – there will always be a market for good writing. Just keep at it, learn your craft, don’t give up – our time will come.

PS – I can’t make the links work directly! If you want to buy any of these titles, click the book, then click the book image that comes  up on a new page :o)