Kelpies Prize 2012 Winner Press Release - Floris Books

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PRESS RELEASE
For urgent release: Monday 20th August 2012
Unusual Happenings Reported in Glasgow’s Southside
Spooky Adventure Wins Children’s Fiction Prize
Scottish publisher Floris Books revealed author Tracy Traynor as the
winner of their annual Scottish children’s fiction prize, the Kelpies Prize,
last Friday. The announcement was made at a packed ceremony at the
Edinburgh International Book Festival attended by award-winning
authors, agents, booksellers and bloggers.
Tracy received a cheque for £2,000 on the night (see attached
photograph). Her book, Nicking Time, will be published in the Kelpies
range published in Spring 2013.
15 Harrison Gardens Edinburgh EH11 1SH
Tel: 0131-337 2372 Fax: 0131-347 9919
www.florisbooks.co.uk benedicte@florisbooks.co.uk
Contact: Benedicte Lerfald,
Marketing Assistant
Carnegie award–winning author Theresa Breslin, whose stunning
An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales was recently
published by Floris Books, presented the award. Theresa’s speech praised
the three shortlisted authors for their achievement. She talked about the importance of competitions
like the Kelpies Prize and Scottish children’s writing that today’s children can relate to.
A giant cheer erupted from the crowd as the winner was announced. A delighted Tracy thanked her
friends and family for their support, and congratulated the two runners-up for being nominated.
Born and brought up in Glasgow, where Nicking Time is set, Tracy went to Greece to work as an
English teacher before settling down near Oxford. Her main aim is to write many stories, which she
loves testing out on her two daughters.
“All three shortlisted authors where full of original ideas and strong characters. It’s great to know
there are so many gifted writers out there. Nicking Time won the judges’ hearts with its strong
narrative, very funny dialogue, and eery plot. It was wonderful to read a story set in urban Scotland.
Congratulations to Tracy Traynor for writing such a great novel for children”, commented Eleanor
Collins, Editor for Floris Books.
Floris Books launched the Kelpies Prize in 2004 with support from the Scottish Arts Council, now
Creative Scotland, to encourage and reward Scottish writing for children.
The other shortlisted authors were Debbie Richardson from Dunfermline, author of Pick ‘n’ Mix Mums,
which explores the dangers and delights of swapping mums like books at the library, and Rebecca
Smith from Surrey, author of Shadow Eyes, which ventures to the Highlands where a mysterious
wild creature is attacking helpless animals.
More Information
Contact Benedicte Lerfald, Marketing Assistant, Floris Books — Tel: 0131-337 2372
Email: benedicte@florisbooks.co.uk
www.florisbooks.co.uk/kelpiesprize (includes press materials)
Twitter: @DiscoverKelpies Follow the action of the night by searching Twitter #KelpiesPrize
See over for info on the winning author and photographs

Winner of the Kelpies Prize 2012
Nicking Time by Tracy Traynor
The boys are planning a big summer. When they’re not hanging out in their den, running Glasgow’s
streets, playing football or re-enacting battles, they’re planning to break into the old Hampden
Park stadium — is there enough time for it all?
Midge’s pals are cool — Bru’s ginger; Skooshie’s crazy; Hector’s brave and Lemur, well, there’s
something weird about Lemur. He knows too much.
Like, he tells them a ghost story about two tragic deaths that happened over a hundred years ago.
When did Lemur learn so much about the past? Who is Lemur anyway? And what is he trying to
nick?
Tracy Traynor was born in Glasgow and studied English before going to Greece to work as an
English teacher. She lives near Oxford, where she edits and writes materials for language textbooks
and websites. She has two daughters who she finds are very useful for testing out story ideas on.
Theresa Breslin (right) handing Tracy Traynor (left) her cheque for £2,000
(Photograph can be emailed on demand, in colour or b/w. Other photographs of the
award ceremony are also available.)
About the Kelpies Range
The Kelpies range, published by Floris Books since 2002, comprises over 40 children’s novels set
in Scotland or with Scottish themes, suitable for children from 8 to 12 years old. Recent Kelpies
successes include Soldier’s Game, which has been shortlisted for the Scottish Children’s Book
Awards 2012 (8–11 years).
Kelpies Prize 2013
Manuscripts are now invited for submission to the Kelpies Prize 2013. They must be set wholly, or
mainly, in Scotland and be suitable for children aged 8 to 12. They may not have been previously
commercially published, although the author may have been. The judges are looking primarily for
a cracking story with strong characters, believable dialogue and a compelling atmosphere. The
deadline is 28 February 2013. For full rules and guidelines, see www.florisbooks.co.uk/kelpiesprize