Waterstones prize winner Elle McNicoll: ‘I never saw autistic girls in books’

The author was repeatedly told that no one wanted to read fun books with disabled heroes. Now she has won the £5,000 Waterstones children’s book prize for her debut, A Kind of SparkWhen Scottish author Elle McNicoll was first trying to enter the publishing world, she was repeatedly told that people didn’t want to read about an autistic heroine. “In job interviews, I was saying that I wanted to see more books with disabled characters in them that were not traumatic, boring or educational, but fun and full of life. A lot of the reactions were, ‘Waterstones don’t like books like that’,” she says.Now McNicoll’s debut novel A Kind of Spark has won the Waterstones children’s book prize. Published by tiny independent Knights Of, it follows Addie, an 11-year-old autistic girl, as she campaigns for a memorial to the witch trials that took place in her Scottish village. The novel has been praised by Waterstones’ booksellers as “eye opening, heart-wrenching, sad [and] inspiring”. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2021-07-01 05:01:05 UTC ]

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Caldecott Medalist Opens Retreat for Authors and Artists in the Catskills

Creating a space for children’s book writers and illustrators to share and connect has long been a dream for Sophie Blackall, who has now realized that goal in her launch of the Milkwood retreat in the Catskills. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-03-15 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Ukrainian children’s book to be published in UK as charity fundraiser

Author Larysa Denysenko wrote introduction to Maya and Her Friends while sheltering from missiles in Kyiv“As I write to you, rockets are flying outside my windows, and at a distance of 20km from my house, Russian aggressors are destroying the suburbs of Kyiv,” author Larysa Denysenko says in an... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-03-11 11:15:48 UTC ]
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Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair Postponed From March to July

The ninth iteration of the China Shanghai International Children's Book is moving its 2022 dates to July, under COVID-19 restrictions. The post Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair Postponed From March to July appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-03-03 18:16:52 UTC ]
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Exclusive cover reveal: Laura Warrell’s Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm.

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Book Riot’s Children’s Book Deals for March 2, 2022

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[ Book Riot | 2022-03-02 15:21:40 UTC ]
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Omar Sakr's 'epic, stunningly dirty' debut novel challenges macho heterosexual myths of Arab-Australian culture

The lives of queer Arab-Australian boys and men are vividly inhabited in award-winning poet Omar Sakr’s darkly comic debut novel, set in Western Sydney. Continue reading at The Conversation

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Leonard Kessler, Colorful Children’s Book Author, Dies at 101

He crafted tales of everyday life for early readers. His “Mr. Pine’s Purple House,” first published in 1965, later inspired a new publishing company — and Jeff Bezos. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-02-24 23:32:36 UTC ]
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Bologna Children’s Book Fair: The 2022 Ragazzi Award Winners

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-02-22 18:45:35 UTC ]
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Lit Hub Daily: February 22, 2022

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How Writing a Children’s Book is an Antidote to Doomsday Thinking

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[ Literrary Hub | 2022-02-22 09:52:32 UTC ]
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Announcing The Sunday Times Charlotte Aitken Young Writer of the Year Award shortlist

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Toronto author's bestselling novel The Maid started as an idea on a napkin

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Awards Season: British Academy Prize Names Jurors, Opens Submissions

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Matthew Paul Turner Finds His Voice in Christian Publishing

Bestselling children’s book author Matthew Paul Turner, who came out as gay in 2020, is emphasizing inclusivity and self-acceptance in his new title, ‘I Am God’s Dream,’ which he calls his favorite book yet. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

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Bologna Children’s Book Fair Names Its 56th Illustrators’ Exhibition Winners

This year, Bologna Children's Book Fair's Illustrators' Exhibition features winning work from 78 artists in 29 international markets. The post Bologna Children’s Book Fair Names Its 56th Illustrators’ Exhibition Winners appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

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Review: A debut novel of love and privilege that's made for TV

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[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-02-04 14:00:54 UTC ]
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“There are Some People Who Are Upset About This Book.”

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Review: The predator's wife: A dark debut novel with a #MeToo gender twist

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