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NEWS RELEASE - 10 July 2009
BRANFORD BOASE AWARD: WINNER ANNOUNCED
The Traitor Game by B R Collins, edited by Emma Matthewson and published by Bloomsbury, has won the Branford Boase Award, awarded for an outstanding debut novel for children. A powerful novel that explores the way boys create friendships and how fragile these relationships can be, The Traitor Game encompasses issues of bullying, homosexuality and peer pressure. Set in two worlds it mixes the contemporary teen ‘issue’ novel with a traditional fantasy story. The worlds may be different but the actions, emotions and eventual betrayals within them are very much the same.
B R Collins lives in Tunbridge Wells in Kent and is only 27 years old, so this is a fantastic start to what will undoubtedly be a glittering career. Her second novel is scheduled for publication by Bloomsbury in September 2009.
The delighted winner said “I am really delighted to have won the Branford Boase Award - it's a huge honour, especially given the quality of the other books on the shortlist. It's wonderful for me to get such a vote of confidence at the beginning of my career, and it's also especially pleasing that I'm sharing the award with Emma Matthewson, who thoroughly deserves it. She's been a fantastic editor, and I'm grateful to her for her insights, intelligence and knack of asking all the right questions... not to mention her tact! The Branford Boase is a really special prize, and I'm so proud and happy to have won it. “
Editor Emma Matthewson, also thrilled to win, said “I couldn't be more pleased for Bridget, who I truly believe has an incredible voice; it is working with an extraordinary writer such as Bridget that makes being an editor such a joy. The Branford Boase Award is such a wonderful opportunity for exciting new writing to be recognised, and I am thrilled and honoured to have won this award - and to win in the Branford Boase's 10th year makes it extra special. Happy 10th birthday, Branford Boase. Here's to another 10 years!”
Chair of the judges, Julia Eccleshare, speaking at the ceremony, said "We are delighted but not surprised to see the BBA growing in reputation year on year and becoming such a force for recognising and nurturing new talent. The outstanding success of past winners which has seen many BBA winners going on to take major prizes later in their careers is a testament to its success, and long may it continue. It would have made Henrietta Branford and Wendy Boase enormously proud to see what they cared for so much being fostered so well. B R Collins and Emma Matthewson are excellent winners to add to this tradition in this tenth anniversary year."
Jacqueline Wilson, former Children’s Laureate, presented B R Collins with her award (a cheque for £1000 and a hand crafted silver-inlaid box) at the ceremony, hosted by Walker Books at 6.00pm on Thursday 9th July. The starry line up of past winners, many of whom attended, includes Meg Rosoff and Jenny Downham.
The judging panel, chaired by Julia Eccleshare, included John Dunne, Librarian, Caroline Horn of the Bookseller, Jane Churchill of the Cheltenham Literary Festival and last year’s winner, author of Before I Die, Jenny Downham.
For further information, or to interview the winner, please contact Mary Byrne on 020 7729 6359 or mary.byrne@virgin.net.
Notes to editors below.
Editors Notes:
The other books on the shortlist were:
- The Toymaker by Jeremy De Quidt, edited by Bella Pearson (David Fickling Books)
- Flood Child by Emily Diamand, edited by Imogen Cooper (published originally as Reavers Ransom by Chicken House)
- Between Two Seas by Marie-Louise Jensen, edited by Liz Cross (OUP)
- Bloodline by Katy Moran, edited by Denise Johnstone-Burt, (Walker Books)
- The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness, edited by Denise Johnstone-Burt (Walker Books)
- Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls, edited by Marion Lloyd (Marion Lloyd Books)
The annual Branford Boase Award celebrates the most promising book for seven year-olds and upwards by a first-time novelist, and highlights the importance of the editor in nurturing new authors. The author may have published other books in another genre - for example, poetry or a picture book - but eligibility for the prize requires that this is her or his first children’s novel. In addition to drawing attention to fresh talent in the field of children's books and encouraging publishers to find and promote new writers, the Award sets out to alert readers of all ages to the work of an interesting newcomer. The contribution of the Editor in the writing process is also acknowledged and promoted in this Award. The winning author receives a cheque for £1000, and both author and editor receive a handcrafted hardwood box in the shape of a book, inlaid in silver with the Branford Boase logo.
The Branford Boase Award was set up in memory of the outstanding children’s writer Henrietta Branford and the gifted editor, Wendy Boase, Editorial Director of Walker Books. They worked together on a number of books, a partnership they greatly enjoyed. They both died of cancer in 1999.
Jacqueline Wilson also presented prizes to six children, winners of the Henrietta Branford Writing Competition. Further information on this can be found on www.branfordboaseaward.org.uk
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Publicity pictures and author biography available on request. For more details, or to arrange interviews, please contact Mary Byrne on 0207 729 6359 or 07971 378 411 or email: mary.byrne@virgin.net or Anne Marley on anne.marley@tiscali.co.uk.
Website: www.branfordboaseaward.org.uk
