Juno Dawson is among authors shortlisted for this year’s Books Are My Bag Readers’ Awards, sponsored by National Book Tokens and many UK publishers.
The Readers’ Awards are the only book awards with a shortlist curated by booksellers. The public vote is now open, and readers are encouraged to choose the titles and authors they would like to win the awards.
Winners will be announced on Tuesday, November 8 at an awards ceremony at Foyles on Charing Cross Road, hosted by Radzi Chinyanganya.
LGBTQ+ books shortlisted include: The Transgender Issue by LGBTQ+ rights commentator Shon Faye, Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Stonewall role model Juno Dawson, poetry anthology 100 Queer Poems, edited by Mary Jean Chan and Andrew McMillan, and Alice Oseman’s LGBTQ+ YA romance webcomic Heartstopper.
Juno Dawson, shortlisted for the Fiction category, said: “Booksellers are experts. They really know their books so it’s especially flattering to be shortlisted for this prize. Booksellers were the very first people to get copies of Her Majesty’s Royal Coven and they’re absolutely vital for building buzz. Without them, we couldn’t have achieved the success we’ve had this summer.
“I am absolutely made up to be shortlisted for this prize. What an honour. I had the most fun ever writing Her Majesty’s Royal Coven and it’s been so heartening that booksellers and readers are sharing in that excitement.”
The public is invited to vote for a winning title from each shortlist until 11pm on Sunday, October 30. Click HERE to vote!
For more information on Books Are My Bag, CLICK HERE and follow the latest developments on social media @BooksAreMyBag / #BAMBReadersAwards
