Branford Boase Award 2024
Sonya McGilchrist and Cheryl Diane Parkinson longlisted for the Branford Boase Award 2024
As the founder, publisher, editor (and tea lady) at Dinosaur Books Ltd, I was beyond thrilled to be longlisted, alongside Cheryl Diane Parkinson, for this year’s prestigious Branford Boase Award. Dinosaur Books Ltd was the smallest press to be listed in the awards – which was entered by 30 different publishing houses. The award was set up in 2000 to celebrate the most promising book for readers aged seven and upwards. It recognises a first-time children’s novelist and the importance of the editor in the development of new writers. The shortlisted authors may have published other books in another genre – for example, poetry or a picture book – but eligibility for the prize requires that this is their first children’s novel.
At Dinosaur Books, we take pride in working collaboratively with our authors in a creative team and we have a track record in developing debut talent so it was really heartening to see this recognised. Last Girl In, which was written by Cheryl Diane Parkinson and edited by myself, Sonya McGilchrist celebrates cricket, families and the Windrush generation – subjects close to both mine and Cheryl’s hearts and it was an absolute joy to work with her on the project. Before writing Last Girl In, Cheryl had written for adults and had also completed a picture book, but middle grade was new territory for her. Writing middle grade is our specialty and it was lovely to help Cheryl adapt to writing for this age group.
The co-founder of the award, Julia Eccleshare is a stalwart of children’s publishing. She described the award as highlighting “the most talented new writers for children and the editors who support them” – and I am so delighted to say that Cheryl and I are working together again on her next middle grade novel, which will be published in 2025.
And if you’re a writer, or new to middle grade, then check out our submissions! We are currently particularly interested in hearing from writers of Chinese heritage.
Sonya McGilchrist, founder, Dinosaur Books Ltd
To buy Last Girl In, a thrilling cricket adventure for children aged 7+ click here