The witch broomed to Vauxhall in Wednesday’s deluge, to rub shoulders with the good and the great at the Branford Boase Awards party, hosted by Walker Books.
All but one shortlisted author had also made it. Poor Jenny Valentine was stuck in a watery Hay, so couldn’t be there to receive her Highly Commended prize for Finding Violet Park. It was obviously a night for Jennies, as the Branford Boase Award was won by Jenny Downham for Before I Die.
As the prize also goes to the editor of the winning book, this means that David Fickling now has another framed award for his wall, after last year’s success with Siobhan Dowd. (I wonder if that’s why I had a dream about picture frames the night before?)
Jacqueline Wilson is still convalescing, so couldn’t be there to hand over the prizes, and Philip Pullman stepped into her shoes for the evening. Not literally, as he pointed out, nor was he wearing any of Jacqueline’s many rings. In fact, he was very soberly dressed in a dark (black?) suit, and a horizontally striped black and white tie.
Philip got to hand out a lot of prizes, as there were six winning children from the Henrietta Branford Writing Competition, too. One lucky child – the girl with the very pink Converses – also won lots of books for her school. This prize was drawn from a hat, and as David Lloyd of Walker Books had omitted to wear a hat yesterday, it was lucky that Barry Cunningham arrived wearing one that could be borrowed. Good stuff.
There were many photos taken, in any conceivable combination of winners and other famous people. And then there was the signature hunt, where the witch restrained herself to a signed proof of Before I Die. Jenny looked quite nostalgic to see something from so long ago. Atinuke, one of the shortlisted writers, knew to get Philip Pullman’s autograph on her body…! And her blue outfit was spectacular.
David Fickling was sporting a DFC lapel badge and inquired as to whether I had paid up yet. Does the man scour the subscriptions list personally?
Last, but not least, it was good to meet the ladies from Walker Books who have been so helpful in this bookwitch business. And very nice to see many other publishing world ladies (why are they only ever ladies?) who are also friendly and helpful to witches.
The photo below is to tide you over until the proper one arrives. It’s David Fickling with Jenny Downham (middle) and Jenny’s sons, and her agent Catherine Clarke.
2 responses so far ↓
pbmum // July 10, 2008 at 9:02 |
We’re planning a trip to the DFC family fun day on Saturday. I do hope that there will be lapel badges available there. We now have a rota in our house for who gets first look at the DFC on arriving home from school on Friday. Before that the rows were ugly! Its lucky for my three that their dad doesn’t get home until much later. He’s always keen to catch up with John Blake and would no doubt wrestle them for first peek.
The Golden Compass | Pullman presents Branford Boase Award | His Dark Materials | BridgeToTheStars.Net // July 10, 2008 at 17:21 |
[...] the Bookwitch was at the event and you can read her account of the evening here. You can also read more on the Branford Boase’s website [...]