Friday 25 January 2008

Spot the pun


THE CAT KIN has made the shortlist for the Bolton Children’s Book Award. There, I’ve said it! It’s quite a dizzying prospect, especially considering that for a long time I had resigned myself to the fact that the book would never be published. I have to confess I didn’t know much about the Award before (I didn’t know anything at all about it); but looking at a list of past winners, and at the current shortlist, I’m impressed and overwhelmed. I’ve actually heard of every single other shortlisted book, which is remarkable in itself for me (I don’t follow the industry as closely as perhaps I should).

I don’t want to think too much about the award itself; I would rather be happy with the nomination alone. This is of course me trying to repress my violently competitive streak. But the fact is, books aren’t a competition. What does it matter to say that His Dark Materials is better than Harry Potter? Read both. We have time. A quick young reader could read the entire Bolton shortlist in a fortnight or less. But awards are undeniably great for raising books’ profiles, so they are definitely a Good Thing.

I will be sure to enjoy the award event itself – I can never say no to a free meal and hotel accommodation. More to the point, Bolton is ‘up north’ and isn’t too far from Preston, where my Mum lives and where I used to spend most of my school holidays (not as grim as it sounds… Preston is nice!). So I’ll definitely be glad to ride the train back to that part of the country, which I think of as a second (third? fourth?) home.

So that’s my news at the moment. I doubt there will be anything of interest to report on this subject till June, other than my increasingly frayed nerves. It only remains to be said: Faber and Faber, are you STILL resolved not to publish the sequel to THE CAT KIN?

7 comments:

Sara said...

So, uh, Nick, how do I get a copy of this book before it goes all platinum after June?

Nick Green said...

I think it will go 'tin', or possibly 'chrome'. Getting it published in the US would also be nice, true!

Lee said...

I'm hoping it bolts first to the finish line.

annie said...

Fantastic news, and a nice little nudge from the universe to confirm you're doing something right!
Next CAT KIN the movie...

Mrs Sprawling said...

Congratulations on being shortlisted for our Bolton Children's Book Award. The children of Turton High School are really looking forward to meeting you and the other authors when you come to the Award Ceremony in June. We only launched it last week so I haven't got any feedback for you yet but I'm sure some of them will be posting messages to you soon.
Good luck.
Judith

Mrs Sprawling said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nick Green said...

Thank you, Judith. I'm really looking forward to it too. Meeting readers is something I really need to do more of, but with a full-time day job the opportunities are few!