British Book Awards: Ruth Jones, Charles Mackesy and Mick Herron among Author of the Year nominees

The British Book Awards, widely known as ‘The Nibbies’ has been the leading awards for the book trade since 1990. Nominees for this year’s ceremony have been unveiled, with the best books and most exciting authors in the business being recognised.

Big Issue is proud to be media partner for the prestigious Author of the Year category, which includes some of the biggest and most exciting names in the business. These authors are recognised for how they have galvanised the UK’s readership and supported the literary ecosystem.

The shortlisted authors are:

Charlie Mackesy, the author and illustrator behind the best-selling adult hardback book of all time in Britain, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. His follow-up, Always Remember: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse and the Storm was released last year and joined the original as a runaway bestseller.

A.F Steadman, author of the young adult fantasy series Skandar, which has become a global phenomenon, selling over 1.5 million copies. Her much-anticipated first adult fantasy novel, Timeless, will be released in 2027.

Elif Shafak, the award-winning British Turkish novelist with 21 books translated into almost 60 languages, with her most recent being There Are Rivers in the Sky.

Freida McFadden is behind gripping psychological thriller novels, including The Housemaid whichwas recently adapted into a successful film starring Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney.

Mick Herron is the creator of the Slough House series, which formed the basis of the hugely successful Slow Horses television series starring Gary Oldman. Herron is also the author of the Zoë Boehmseries, set to be adapted into a major television starring Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson.

Ruth Jones, best known for writing and starring in universally adored Gavin and Stacey, rounds out the list. Her novels have sold over a million copies, with her latest being By Your Side.

The awards, described as ‘the BAFTAs of the book trade’ will be judged by leading industry experts, authors, journalists and celebrities including Oti Mabuse, Prue Leith, Dr Ranj, Yulia Navalnaya, Ardal O’Hanlon, Janet Ellis and Abir Mukherjee.

This year, The British Book Awards are also supporting the National Year of Reading’s Go All In campaign, a once in a generation initiative to encourage people of all ages to rediscover the joy of reading.

Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller and chair of the judges at The British Book Awards, said: “Reflecting readers’ choices, publishing expertise, bookselling passion and creative excellence, these shortlists demonstrate the power of books to change lives, shape history and inform the future.

Read more:

• Top 5 magical books for kids, chosen by teacher-turned-author Paula Harrison
• Your Life Without Me by James Meek review: a deeply original novel
• Palaver by Bryan Washington review: a subtle and deft look at family relationships

“It was a particularly strong year for debut fiction, narrative non-fiction, graphic novels and fantasy. And, following the loss of beloved authors Jilly Cooper, Sophie Kinsella and Joanna Trollope, I am especially delighted by the range and vitality of the titles on our first-ever Romantic Fiction shortlist.

“Congratulations to all the writers and illustrators — and to those who helped bring their work to readers. In the National Year of Reading, well published words that sold well, matter more than ever.”

This year’s winners will be unveiled at a ceremony taking place at Grosvenor House London on Monday May 11. Keep reading Big Issue for more in the coming weeks.

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