A haunted lighthouse, a lost wizard and Bonnie Prince Charlie all feature in this year’s prize for new Scottish fiction for children.
They are all in contention after the Kelpies Prize 2018 Shortlist was revealed.
Independent Edinburgh publisher Floris Books recently announced the shortlist. The Kelpies Prize, which is now being awarded for the 13th time, recognises the finest new Scottish fiction for children aged 8–14.
The shortlisted titles are:
Haunted Tide by Celia Bryce. Darkly atmospheric with a supernatural twist, Haunted Tide is a gripping and intensely readable tale set in the remote Scottish islands.
Celia was a nurse but now writes poetry, stories, travel pieces, restaurant reviews, plays and novels. Dabbling, she calls it. Her stories have been broadcast on BBC radio and her radio drama, The Skategrinder won a Society of Authors prize. Her first Young Adult novel, Anthem for Jackson Dawes, was nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal. She lives with her family near Newcastle upon Tyne.
The Lost Wizard of Nine Witches Wood by Hannah Foley. Grab your enchanted bicycle and hold on tight! Wildly inventive and packed with fantastical thrills. The Lost Wizard of Nine Witches Wood is a warm and quirky whirlwind of an adventure, full of magical heart.
Hannah grew up in Devon and worked as a registered nurse for a number of years before returning to school to study illustration at Edinburgh College of Art.
Hannah is now a freelance illustrator, living back in Devon, illustrating for children, young people and families in the educational and charitable sectors. Hannah loves creating narratives with both words and pictures.
Over the Sea to Skye by Robin Scott-Elliot. A thrilling twist on one of the most dramatic moments in Scotland’s history, Over the Sea to Skye is a historical adventure full of danger and intrigue, set against the backdrops of both the Jacobite Rebellion and the Cold War.
Robin Scott-Elliot has been a sports writer for 25 years with the BBC, ITV, the Sunday Times, the Independent and the ‘i’, covering every sport you can think of and a few you probably can’t. Born in Edinburgh, childhood holidays at his granny’s home on the Isle of Mull sparked a life-long love of Scotland’s west coast and its rich and turbulent history. He is married to Karen, they have two daughters, Iona and Torrin, and still head to Mull every summer.
Eleanor Collins, editorial director for Floris Books, said: ‘As ever, the judging process was difficult but enjoyable due to the high standard of entries and exceptional levels of imagination and creativity on display. We are thrilled that the Kelpies Prize continues to grow year on year, and are looking forward to the future of the Kelpies Prize and some exciting changes for 2019.’
The winner of the Kelpies Prize 2018 will be announced at a ceremony at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on Friday 24th August. The winning author will receive a £2000 cash prize and a publishing deal with Floris Books’ Kelpies imprint.
Floris Books launched the Kelpies Prize in 2004 with support from the Scottish Arts Council, now Creative Scotland, to encourage and reward new Scottish writing for children. Previous winners include Scottish Children’s Book Award winners Janis Mackay and Alex McCall (the youngest writer ever to win the Kelpies Prize), and the prize also launched the writing careers of Kindle bestseller Daniela Sacerdoti and the multi-award-winning Lari Don.
The winner will be announced on Friday, 24 August, at Edinburgh International Book Festival.
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