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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At London Book Fair: The International Booker Prize 2023 Shortlist

The International Booker Prize shortlist again this year is announced at London Book Fair. The post At London Book Fair: The International Booker Prize 2023 Shortlist appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-19 03:27:08 UTC ]
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Scotland’s Highland Book Prize Names Its Shortlist

With a £2,000 purse for the winner, four shortlistees are named by the regionally specific Highland Book Prize. The post Scotland’s Highland Book Prize Names Its Shortlist appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-12 19:07:00 UTC ]
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US National Book Foundation Names Its ‘5 Under 35’ Winners

The winners of the United States' '5 Under 35' honors are 34 or  younger and are chosen by selectors for the National Book Foundation. The post US National Book Foundation Names Its ‘5 Under 35’ Winners appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-06 16:25:09 UTC ]
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German Book Prize: 172 Titles Submitted for the 2023 Competition

The 2023 German Book Prize program has drawn submissions from 111 publishers based in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. The post German Book Prize: 172 Titles Submitted for the 2023 Competition appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-04 18:54:52 UTC ]
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Keegan-Michael Key and Wife Elle Key to Close the U.S. Book Show

The Keys will interview each other about their debut nonfiction book, The History of Sketch Comedy: A Journey Through the Art and Craft of Humor (Chronicle Books, Oct.). Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-04-04 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Ukrainian Author Andrey Kurkov Among National Book Critics Circle Award Winners

A collection of fantastical short stories and a book of poems about escaping capitalist society were also among the 2022 winners. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-03-24 00:51:07 UTC ]
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Hoover Biographer Wins American History Book Prize

The New-York Historical Society award goes to Beverly Gage, whose “G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century” puts a notorious character in context. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-03-23 19:08:10 UTC ]
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Sheikh Zayed Book Award: Winners Approved for the 17th Edition

At its annual meeting, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award board of trustees affirms the winners selected as recipients in nine categories this year. The post Sheikh Zayed Book Award: Winners Approved for the 17th Edition appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-03-23 18:24:52 UTC ]
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Waterstones says ‘no truth’ in claims it refuses to sell books on gender and feminism

The retailer had been trending on social media after accusations it did not stock works by Hannah Barnes and Victoria SmithWaterstones has said “there is no truth” in claims that some of its shops were refusing to sell copies of two books by gender-critical feminists.The book retailer was... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-03-09 16:00:56 UTC ]
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The German Audiobook Prize Names Its 2023 Winners

The German Audiobook Prize opens the Lit.Cologne festival with new 2023 honors in seven categories including 'Best Radio Play.' The post The German Audiobook Prize Names Its 2023 Winners appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-03-01 12:52:23 UTC ]
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Tara Dorabji Wins S&S's Books Like Us First Novel Prize

As the winner of the second annual Books Like Us First Novel Prize, Dorabji will receive a $50,000 book deal with Simon & Schuster. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-23 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Rachel Howzell Hall, George Saunders, James Hannaham among L.A. Times Book Prize finalists

The Los Angeles Times Book Prizes recognize works in 12 categories, with winners to be announced at USC in person on April 21. James Ellroy will receive a lifetime achievement prize. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-02-22 15:00:07 UTC ]
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Bologna Book Fair Names Cross Media Award Winners

A Hungarian book-to-animated-film project and a Canadian online platform for kids take Bologna's top Cross Media Award honors. The post Bologna Book Fair Names Cross Media Award Winners appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-02-16 14:17:21 UTC ]
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Here are the finalists for the $50,000 Gotham Book Prize.

Today, the Gotham Book Prize, an annual award that began during the first year of the pandemic to honor and support the best writing about New York City, announced its eleven 2023 finalists. “There’s no other city that has the diversity, vibrancy, and culture of New York, and the Gotham Book... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-02-13 17:56:06 UTC ]
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German Book Prize Names Its Jury, Opens Submissions

With its seven jurors named, the 2023 German Book Prize in fiction has opened its submission period to publishers, through March 22. The post German Book Prize Names Its Jury, Opens Submissions appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-02-07 13:44:53 UTC ]
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Bologna Children’s Book Fair: 2023 Ragazzi Awards Winners

The 2023 Bologna Ragazzi Awards, which honors illustrated children's books, attracted 2,349 entries from 644 publishers in 59 countries. The post Bologna Children’s Book Fair: 2023 Ragazzi Awards Winners appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-01-30 15:51:20 UTC ]
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Here are the winners of the first Albertine Translation Prize.

At a ceremony in New York on Thursday, Villa Albertine announced the winners of the first Albertine Translation Prize, which honors “the best contemporary French literature in English translation,” as selected by a committee of independent professional experts. “Together with the authors and... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-01-27 16:48:28 UTC ]
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Winners of Inaugural Margaret Wise Brown Board Book Award Named

The Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College of Education has announced the two books that are the first recipients of the Margaret Wise Brown Board Book Award for excellence in literature for young children. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-01-26 05:00:00 UTC ]
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German Book Trade Peace Prize: ‘Winter Aid for Ukraine’

As nominations open for the 2023 German Book Trade Peace Prize, the program joins in the 'Winter Aid Ukraine' campaign. The post German Book Trade Peace Prize: ‘Winter Aid for Ukraine’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-01-17 05:19:13 UTC ]
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Charles Tripp Chairs the British Academy’s £25,000 Book Prize Jury

The British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding will name its winner in October. Publishers are submitting now. The post Charles Tripp Chairs the British Academy’s £25,000 Book Prize Jury appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-01-17 04:15:36 UTC ]
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