Ba Pilot in Race to Win Major Children?s Book Prize
Waterstone’s today announced that a British Airways pilot has been shortlisted for the 2009
Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize, one of the most valuable and prestigious children’s book
awards in the country.
Rob Stevens, author of The Mapmaker’s Monsters, has been flying for British Airways for thirteen years, and wrote his debut novel between flights in hotel rooms across the world. A 15th century swashbuckling adventure across the seas, The Mapmaker’s Monsters has been praised by the leading bookseller for its suspense, humour and the wonderful way in which it plays with language.
Stevens said: “I am incredibly excited and flattered to be shortlisted for the Waterstone’s prize.
To be honest I still can’t quite believe it’s happening. It’s a huge honour. I find writing to be the
perfect contrast to my job as a pilot. While commercial aviation is all about safety – following
rules and avoiding risk – there are no hard and fast rules about writing and the more risky
situations I can conjure up the better.”
Celebrating its fifth year, the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize was created to champion new
and emerging children’s writers. This year’s shortlist is particularly notable for the diverse
backgrounds of the nominated authors, with a former pianist, a finalist from 2004 reality TV
show “Spy”, a home-educator and an ex-security guard for the National Museum of Scotland
also making the list.
Sarah Clarke, Waterstone’s Children’s Manager said: “Rob Stevens proves new talent can be
found anywhere – even in the clouds. We’re incredibly excited by the quality and range of this
year’s shortlist, which includes everything from adventure and mystery to a page-turning horror
story featuring vampires and werewolves – a new rival to Stephenie Meyer, perhaps?”
The eight shortlisted authors competing for the coveted award are as follows:
How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant by Elen Caldecott (Bloomsbury)
Zelah Green Queen of Clean by Vanessa Curtis (Egmont)
Changeling by Steve Feasey (Macmillan)
Thirteen Treasures by Michelle Harrison (Simon and Schuster)
Gnomes Are Forever by Ceci Jenkinson (Faber)
Lady in the Tower by Marie-Louise Jensen (Oxford University Press)
The Mapmaker’s Monster by Rob Stevens (Macmillan)
Numbers by Rachel Ward (Chicken House)
Final judging is currently underway, and the winner will be announced at a reception at
Waterstone’s Piccadilly (London), Europe’s largest bookstore, on Wednesday 18th February. As well as a £5000 cash prize, the winning author will see a significant boost in sales, and the
promise of ongoing commitment to their writing career from Waterstone’s 320 branches
nationwide.
For further press information, author and jacket images, and interview requests please contact
Anwen Hooson at Riot Communications on 020 3174 0118 / 07899 798885 /
anwen@riotcommunications.com
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