I am utterly thrilled!!! Last night was the awards ceremony, held at Seven Stories up in Newcastle, and I’ve only just got back. It was amazing!! So many amazing people gathered, and I got to meet four of the other short listed authors: all fabulous, funny, talented, supportive women. Watch out for Gemma Birss (Highly Commended with The Gift), Ruth Patterson (Commended with The Ever-Changing Mum) and Clare Reddaway (Special Mention for The Queen of Sheba’s Feet). Also attending, all the way from Wales, was Jo Wesley-Williams with her book The Soul Child. All these books recieved glowing reviews from the judges…it’s such a thrill to hear that so many people have read your work and liked it! We were on a high all night! (That’s me in the midde, very pregnant!)

Entries for next year’s award are already open: enter, enter, enter! The team from Seven Stories and Frances Lincoln are amazing, the experience is fabulous, and best of all, you get to write something you love.

Check out coverage at Bookseller.com (Burne wins first Frances Lincoln Award) (how strange to be called “Burne” :-)), BookBrunch (First Diverse Voices Winner Announced) and on Teacher’s TV (White author wins diversity award).

So what happens now? I’m not really sure, but I’ll keep you posted. I think Frances Lincoln are keen to publish Takeshita Demons, but as to how that happens and what’s involved…I’ll share all I learn right here!