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Benjamin Myers has won the £25k Walter Scott prize 2018 with his novel THE GALLOWS POLE. It is the world's leading literary prize for historical fiction. Previous winners include Hilary Mantel, Sebastian Barry and Robert Harris.

The judges who included BBC Newsnight presenter KIRSTY WARK and BBC TODAY presenter James Naughite, said THE GALLOWS POLE is 'A Roaring furnace of a novel. A big story about a small place. Benjamin Myers portrays a social upheavel which has a sharp contemporary echo.'

The Royal Mail will be franking 30 million letters with the winners name and prize logo, Winner of the Walter Scott 2018 Prize.

www.walterscottprize.org.uk

THE GALLOWS POLE by Benjamin Myers has been shortlisted for the world's leading literary prize for historical fiction, the £25K WALTER SCOTT Prize 2018. Congratulations to Ben. I would also like to thank Kate, Jake, Simon and Rowan at The Bookcase Hebden Bridge, Sarah at The Book Corner at The Piece Hall and Ian at Waterstones Leeds for brilliantly hand selling Ben's book to their customers. When Independent publishing and indy booksellers work together to get great stories out there, things start to happen, and it is and everyone at Bluemoose Towers is chuffed to bits. May I personally thank our brilliant editors who polished and shined Ben's great story. Leonora Rustamova, Lin Webb and Hetha Duffy. The winner will be announced at The Border Book Festival in Melrose on Saturday June 16th.

THE GALLOWS POLE by Benjmain Myers has been longlisted for The WALTER SCOTT PRIZE, the world's leading literary prize for historical fiction, 2018. Congratulations to Ben and his fellow longlistees.

There is a wonderful review by Arif Akbar of Naseem Khan's memoir, EVERYWHERE IS SOMEWHERE in The Guardian today, Saturday 6th January. The book is essential reading for anybody who wants to know why diversity in the arts is essential and how Britain has benefited from poets, dancers, writers, musicians and writers being given the space and time to perform. We will always be in her debt.

THE GALLOWS POLE by Benjamin Myers has been longlisted for the Republic of Consciousness Prize sponsored by The Times Literary Supplement. The short list will be announced at Waterstones, Deansgate Manchester on the evening of 15th February 2018.

We are all chuffed to bits that SO THE DOVES by Heidi James has been chosen as THE SUNDAY TIMES Crime Book of The Month.

Here's a few words from the review: 'SO THE DOVES is an unforgettable crime novel. James writes lyrical prose, combining a compelling plot with a portrait of a man forced to question the entire basis of his life.'

Sam Jordison from The Guardian has reviewed Harriet's debut MAN WITH A SEAGULL ON HIS HEAD and it is stunning.

'A bona fide gem that would do credit to any short list.'

Congratulations to Harriet Paige whose debut novel MAN WITH A SEAGULL ON HIS HEAD has been short listed for The Guardian's NOT THE BOOKER Prize.