East Midlands Book Award shortlist announced

The shortlist has now been announced for the first East Midlands Book Award for the best book published in 2010 by an East Midlands' writer. The Trustees (in an individual capacity) comprise Ross Bradshaw from Five Leaves, Jane Streeter from Lowdham Book Festival (jointly organised by Five Leaves), fellow publisher John Lucas of Shoestring (whose two latest books are published by Five Leaves) and David Belbin (a Five Leaves' regular). Despite that, no Five Leaves books made the shortlist, and only one Nottinghamshire writer. Bloomin' judges. You tell them to act independently and then they do. What sort of world do we live in?

We are very pleased to announce that the shortlist comprises Adrian Magson with Death on the Marais (Allison & Busby), Ann Featherstone with The Newgate Jig (John Murray), Anne Zouroudi with The Lady of Sorrows (Bloomsbury), Judith Allnatt with The Poet's Wife, Maria Allen with Before the Earthquake, Mark Goodwin with Shod (Nine Arches), Rosie Garner with The Rain Diaries (Salt) and Stephen Baker with Hemispheres (Atlantic).

The shortlist will be promoted to bookshops, libraries and book groups with the winner being announced on Monday 20 June at an event at Lowdham Book Festival where the winner will receive a cheque for £1000.

This year's judges are John Holmes (BBC), Jaci Brumwell (Derbyshire Libraries) and Ian McMillan (poet and broadcaster). Nominations for 2011 will shortly open and we are pleased to announce the judges will include the modern classical composer Gavin Bryars. More information will appear on http://www.writingeastmidlands.co.uk/awards/