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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British Academy Book Prize Announces Its 2021 Shortlist

With the Al-Rodhan partnership funding having run its course, the British Academy now carries this nonfiction prize forward. The post British Academy Book Prize Announces Its 2021 Shortlist appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-09-07 08:41:21 UTC ]
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William Collins scores two on £25k British Academy Book Prize shortlist

The shortlist for the £25,000 British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding has been revealed with William Collins titles making up half the nominated books.   Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-09-06 23:47:10 UTC ]
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15 Must-Read September Children’s Book Releases

Check out some of the amazing  children’s book releases hitting shelves in September, including My Two Border Towns by David Bowles & Erika Meza. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2021-09-01 10:37:00 UTC ]
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In Literary Organizations, Diversity Disputes Keep Coming

Conflicts over race, culture and inclusion have roiled the Romance Writers of America, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and other groups devoted to books and literature. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2021-08-30 18:34:42 UTC ]
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Where to Find the Best Children’s Book Reviews

There's more great children's books being published than ever before -- this is how to find the best children's book reviews online. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2021-08-30 10:36:00 UTC ]
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Transworld scoops debut novel by Unmumsy Mum in six-figure deal

Transworld has scooped a "joyful and emotional" debut novel by author and blogger Sarah Turner, also known as The Unmumsy Mum, in a six-figure, two-book deal. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-26 01:27:52 UTC ]
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German Book Prize Names Its 2021 Longlist: ‘A Broad Bouquet’

The longlist for the German Book Prize includes five authors' debuts, and a focus on both 'origin and history' and contemporary concerns. The post German Book Prize Names Its 2021 Longlist: ‘A Broad Bouquet’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-08-24 11:55:32 UTC ]
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Review: A symphonic new story collection plays variations on New Orleans in all its masquerades

Maurice Carlos Ruffin's lauded debut novel disguised his hometown; his new short story collection, "Those Who Don't Say They Love You," faces the city head on. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2021-08-19 13:00:47 UTC ]
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Trapeze pre-empts Rothchild's 'compulsive and darkly funny' debut

Trapeze has pre-empted UK and Commonwealth rights for Blood Sugar, the debut novel from Emmy-nominated screenwriter Sascha Rothchild. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-19 02:30:09 UTC ]
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Logan and Jackson among judges for Royal Society Young People's Book Prize

Broadcaster Gabby Logan and award-winning children's author Sharna Jackson are among the judges announced for this year's Royal Society Young People's Book Prize. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-18 18:21:06 UTC ]
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Orbit bags Emily Tesh's 'epic and intimate' debut novel

Little, Brown science fiction and fantasy imprint Orbit has snapped up fantasy author Emily Tesh's "phenomenal" debut novel, Some Desperate Glory. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-17 15:24:34 UTC ]
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And Other Stories acquires West's 'grimly hilarious' debut

Independent press And Other Stories has acquired My Father’s Diet, the "sharp-fanged" debut novel from US author and translator Adrian Nathan West. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-14 21:32:44 UTC ]
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Allison & Busby bags 'haunting' debut novel from Loesch

Allison & Busby has acquired the "rich and haunting" debut novel The Porcelain Doll by Kristen Loesch. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-11 11:30:12 UTC ]
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Pan Mac signs Spencer's 'joyful' debut novel in two-book deal

Pan Macmillan has signed In a New York Minute from podcaster, comedian and debut novelist Kate Spencer in a two-book deal Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-11 02:47:56 UTC ]
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‘Mrs. March’ Is a Housewife on the Brink. What’s Pushing Her Over the Edge?

Virginia Feito’s debut novel features a woman persuaded that her husband, a celebrated writer, has skewered her in his latest book. Is she right? Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2021-08-10 09:00:06 UTC ]
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Keeping a Critical Eye on Brazil: A Conversation with Emilio Fraia, by Anderson Tepper

Interviews Emilio Fraia’s Sevastopol, out this summer from New Directions, is the sort of book that beguiles and dazzles in equal measure. Consisting of three disparate stories—of a mountain climber attempting to scale Mt. Everest, a mysterious loner... Continue reading at World Literature Today

[ World Literature Today | 2021-08-09 20:31:30 UTC ]
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I covered Hong Kong for decades. Now I am forced to flee China’s ‘white terror’ | Steve Vines

After 35 years, the Observer’s former correspondent is leaving as what was once a haven of liberty and peace is transformed into a police stateWhen I arrived in Hong Kong in 1987 as the Observer’s south-east Asia correspondent, the foreign editor said he saw it as being a base, not the kind of... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2021-08-08 07:00:15 UTC ]
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‘Damnation Spring’ beautifully explores the human cost of environmental damage

Ash Davidson’s debut novel delves into the complex relationship among people who love the trees that are also their livelihood. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2021-08-02 16:47:33 UTC ]
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Faith, Fun, and Finance: Spotlight on Charles and Angela Todd

A children’s book series delivers financial teachings drawn from scripture. (Sponsored) Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-08-02 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Wonderbly acquired by private equity firm Graphite Capital

Personalised children’s book publisher Wonderbly has been acquired by private equity specialist Graphite Capital for an undisclosed amount.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-07-27 23:35:14 UTC ]
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