Kelpies Prize 2012 Winner Press Release - Floris Books

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