WriteMentor is delighted to announce the winners of its 2024 Novel and Picture Book Awards, sponsored by Bonnier Books UK, which showcases new writing talent in both children’s and young adult fiction.
Editors from across Bonnier Books UK’s Children’s division collaborated with leading literary agents to judge the four award categories and selected winners from each. Each winner will receive a £250 cash prize and one-year free membership to the Hub, WriteMentor’s online membership platform.
Young Adult category winner: Dancing on Fire by Villy Tichkova
Judges Ella Whiddett, Hot Key Books & Piccadilly Press Commissioning Editor, Executive Publisher Emma Matthewson, and agent Kesia Lupo of the Bindery Agency said: “We thought Dancing on Fire was simply gorgeous. It’s shining a light on a really important identity and community that is often overlooked and discriminated against. The author’s use of the verse form feels perfectly suited to explore Rose’s journey in discovering her identity, and it provides a rich sense of interiority and an authentic feeling of disjointedness. The voice is really strong, and grows as the story progresses, as if the verse is helping Rose figure out who she is. Overall we loved that it covered so much ground and such timely topics but in an accessible, engaging and thoughtful format.”
“I feel seen and humbled, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude.”
Villy Tichkova, 2024 Young Adult winner
Young Adult category runner up: House of Hunger by Michelle Sanchez
The judges said: “We were so compelled by this one and all really keen to keep reading. The writing is incredibly polished and immersive. The setting feels unique and is well-built and detailed – as if it’s a character all on its own. The twists and turns in the narrative were satisfying and we didn’t see them coming but they made for such a good read. We really enjoyed the darker edge of the story and found it suitably chilling!”
Middle Grade category winner: The Girl Who Drew Wrens by Nicola Tams
Judges Ruth Bennett, Editorial Director for Children’s Fiction at Hot Key Books & Piccadilly Press, and agent Becky Bagnell of Lindsay Literary Agency said: “We were immediately pulled into the world of The Girl Who Drew Wrens thanks to the clear and distinctive voice. The story has a deceptive simplicity that shows the author’s skill at handling complex topics in a way that is sure to engage young readers and expand their empathy. These are characters I believed in completely and could imagine living alongside!”
“I’m genuinely shocked and honoured to have won! My book has been a real labour of love over the past couple of years, so for it to be recognised by the judges is a dream come true! Thank you to the whole team at Writementor and Bonnier Books for this opportunity. Also a huge congratulations to the other winners and shortlisters.”
Nicola Tams, 2024 Middle Grade winner
Middle Grade category runner up: If Elephants Could Talk by Ranjeeta Ramkumar
The judges said: If Elephants Could Talk is an emotional and moving story that immediately tugged at our heartstrings and at the same time opened up a different and intriguing world. We both felt drawn to the writing and were keen to read further into the manuscript to find out more about Meenakshi.”
Chapter Book category winner: Seagull Spies – The Missing Dolphin by Lucy Falkner
Judges Georgia Murray, Commissioning Editor at Hot Key Books & Piccadilly Press, and agent Lauren Gardner of Bell Lomax Moreton said: “Equal parts an exciting adventure perfect for this age group and a tender story with real emotional depth, Seagull Spies takes what is often a looked-over animal and places them centre stage. Richly imaginative, compassionate and funny, Seagull Spies is a chapter book that will fly high. You’ll never look at seagulls the same way again…”
“I absolutely loved writing this book so I’m over the moon that it has been chosen for this year’s Chapter Book Award. A huge thank you to Stuart and the WriteMentor team for such a brilliant opportunity and a big wing clap for my amazing critique partners who helped my seagulls to soar!””
Lucy Falkner, 2024 Chapter Book winner
Chapter Book category runner up: Astro Ponies – The Black Hole of Doom by Libby Hartwell
The judges said: “A pony story in space! Astro Ponies is wildly imaginative and compelling, filled with characters that you can’t help but root (neigh) for. With a strong out-of-this-world setting and even stronger characters, Astro Ponies whinnied from the first page and grabbed our attention with its energetic writing.”
Picture Book category winner: The Slug Who Loved Strawberries by
Kim Franklin
Judges Sophie Hallam, Head of Templar Books, Amelia Warren, Commissioning Editor for Picture Books at Templar Books, and agent Alice Williams of Alice Williams Literary said: “The Slug Who Loved Strawberries encapsulates the ways you can push genre conventions to do something a bit different and have some fun with writing, while still ending up with a successful picture book text. We really liked the snappy, dry, humorous voice that reads well aloud, the repeated refrain of ‘you did not even notice’ and the way the illustration notes suggest the reader sees more than the slug, adding further to the humour. We also liked the darker undertones that are reminiscent of books by Jon Klassen.”
“Winning the picture book category was an unexpected and wonderful surprise; I have just about stopped dancing round my room! It’s always nerve-wracking putting your work in to the wild, but I’m so happy I took the chance.”
Kim Franklin, 2024 Picture Book winner
Picture Book category runner up: Fatima’s Fret by Vicky Gatehouse
The judges said: “We liked the approach to the way our feelings can change. The different emotions characters make difficult, but relatable, feelings that are hard to articulate much more accessible. The use of ‘The Fret’, ‘The Frazzle’ ‘The Frenzy’ and ‘The Flow’ is a nice touch, showing how each is linked. The story has a lovely narrative voice and would make a great conversation starter with both adult and child. We think the tool it gives children, to just breathe, is useful and the added moment that adults often need to ‘just breathe’ too is lovely.”