Have you been out today?

With due apologies to my good friend Mr Zack Rock* I have some more A Boy and a Bear in a Boat awards news to relate:

Item one: So I didn't win the Costa for best children's book, but, happily, Sally Gardner (who did, for Maggot Moon) has such impressive spectacles that I can't begrudge her this victory.

Item two: BBB has been longlisted for the Branford Boase Award for a debut novel for children.

Item three: BBB has won the Peter's Award for fiction. This is very pleasing to me, not just because it's, you know, an actual win, but because the nominations for the award are chosen by a team of librarians, and I think librarians are fabulous.

Item four: I am very proud to announce that the UK hardback cover of A Boy and a Bear in a Boat has been shortlisted for an Inky Tentacle award in the Kitschies. The cover is something I am especially proud of (and proud of my publisher for letting me do) so this is wonderful.


*Yes that's his real name. I also know a chap called Kyle Power. I assume they're both secretly superheroes or wrestlers.

Thrilled to receive this yesterday.