In 2008, the Branford Boase Award has again secured sponsorship from Jacqueline Wilson to complement the existing long-standing support from Walker Books, the National Literacy Trust and Peters Bookselling Services. The new sponsorship will provide the £1000 prize for the winning author and is enabling this website to be developed to help young people to submit their own stories to encourage their writing.

Jacqueline Wilson: “I have a special affection for this prize since I was invited to be the first Author Judge in 2000. Since then the prize has grown in stature with 34 titles submitted last year, reflecting a great enthusiasm for new writing amongst publishers and readers alike. It can be such a struggle for new writers starting out that I am thrilled to be able to offer this support to a prize which can make a real difference to their prospects”.

In 2004, Terry Pratchett was the first celebrity sponsor of the Award and previously, it was funded by a number of children’s publishers, charities and a Founding Friends scheme.