The Branford Boase Award was set up in the memory of award-winning author Henrietta Branford and her editor Wendy Boase. It rewards the most promising new authors and their editors while also highlighting excellence in writing and publishing for children. The Award is made annually to the most promising book for children of seven and upward by a first-time novelist and celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2019.
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 novel for children. Publishers are required to check that all books submitted are first novels for children and should confirm that with the authors prior to submission.
Previous winners of the prize include Frances Hardinge and her editor Ruth Alltimes for Fly By Night, Muhammad Khan and editor Lucy Pearse for I Am Thunder, Horatio Clare and his editor Penny Thomas for Aubrey and the Terrible Yoot and, most recently, Liz Hyder and editor Sarah Odedina for Bearmouth.
The judging panel will be chaired by Julia Eccleshare, children’s director of the Hay Festival, and the winner will be announced in July 2021.
Eligible titles must be published between 1 January and 31 December 2020. The authors should live and work in the UK.
The submission form can be found here.
For further information contact:
Anne Marley MBE
Administrator Branford Boase Award
0797 608 2049
anne.marley@tiscali.co.uk
www.branfordboaseaward.org.uk
Media enquiries to:
Andrea Reece
020 8889 1292/ 07807893369
andrea.reece@zen.co.uk
Anne Marley
8 Bolderwood Close, Bishopstoke, Eastleigh, Hants, SO50 8PG
Tel: 02380 600439 | Mob: 07976 082049 | Email: anne.marley@tiscali.co.uk
Andrea Reece
Tel: 07807 893369 | Email: andrea.reece@zen.co.uk
