19/08/11 - Golem Spotted on Corstorphine Hill
Supernatural Edinburgh Adventure Wins Children’s Fiction Prize
Scottish publisher Floris Books yesterday revealed Edinburgh-based author Alette Willis as the winner of their annual Scottish children’s fiction prize, the Kelpies Prize. The announcement was made at a packed ceremony at the Edinburgh International Book Festival attended by representatives from all aspects of Scotland’s lively literary scene.
The Edinburgh-based publisher re-launched the Kelpies Prize in 2004 with support from the Scottish Arts Council, now Creative Scotland, to encourage and reward Scottish writing for children.
Alette received a cheque for £2,000 on the night (see attached photograph). Her book, How to Make a Golem (and Terrify People), will become the latest release in the Kelpies range published on 17th November 2011.
Scottish children’s author Lari Don, whose popular First Aid for Fairies children’s series is published by Floris Books, presented the award. Lari’s speech praised the three shortlisted authors and gave them advice on the qualities they’d need to be a good author including “brass-neck, passion, determination and a cruel streak — because being nice to your characters all the time would just be boring!” She jokingly teased the shortlisted authors by counting down the minutes under she opened the envelope.
A giant cheer erupted from the crowd as the winner was announced. A surprised Alette thanked her friends, family and a dedicated team of readers for helping her to write her novel.
Born in Britain but brought up and educated in Canada, Alette moved to Edinburgh with her husband three years ago. After gaining success writing short stories for adults, she turned to her first love, children’s fiction.
“All three shortlisted titles were excellent this year, showcasing some exciting new talent in children’s fiction. How to Make a Golem (and Terrify People) won the judges’ hearts with its quirky storyline, engaging voice, sparkling sense of humour — and giant mud monster! Congratulations to Alette Willis for writing such a wonderful novel for children”, commented Sally Polson, Commissioning Editor for Floris Books.
The other shortlisted authors were Daniela Sacerdoti, author of The Really Weird Removals Company, following a group of supernatural trouble-shooters, and Roy Gill, author of The Resurrection Spell, which explores dark and dangerous Parallel Edinburgh.
