Hodgson and Carter on HWA Debut Crown shortlist

Antonia Hodgson and MJ Carter are among the authors shortlisted for The 2015 Historical Writers’ Association's (HWA) Debut Crown Award for historical fiction.

The books that make up the shortlist are The Spring of Kasper Meier by Ben Fergusson (Abacus), Wake by Anna Hope (Black Swan), The Devil in the Marshalsea by Antonia Hodgson (Hodder), The Winter Pilgrims by Toby Clements (Arrow), The Good Italian by Stephen Burke (Hodder) and The Strangler Vine by MJ Carter (Penguin).
 
HWA chair Manda Scott said: “It’s a testament to the incredible talent of these authors that we couldn’t narrow the shortlist down to merely five books.

“We were captivated by their stories, thrilled by their plots and loved their characters. It is going to be a very hard task to pick a winner.”

The winning title will be presented at the Harrogate History Festival in October with a £2,000 prize.

Scott added: “The Debut Crown Award is such a great opportunity for us to showcase the wealth of authors who are writing wonderful new historical fiction. It is even more fitting that we would announce our winner at the Harrogate History Festival, which is such a fantastic celebration of the genre. This year’s event is shaping up to be particularly exciting.”

Scott will also be hosting a New Blood panel on the Saturday of the Festival which will give the shortlisted authors the opportunity to talk about their books, their experiences in the world of publishing and their plans for the future.

The festival will open on 22nd October with the Outstanding Contribution to Historical Fiction Award being presented to former children’s laureate, Michael Morpurgo, who has written over 130 books including War Horse which has been adapted for stage and screen. The award will be presented by broadcaster Mark Lawson.

Harrogate literature festivals manager, Gemma Rowland, said: “It is an honour and privilege to welcome Michael and present him with the prestigious award, which last year was given to a fellow giant in the genre, Bernard Cornwell.”

Special guests speaking at the festival include Michael Morpurgo, Melvyn Bragg, Princes Michael of Kent, Ken Follett, Neil Oliver, Kate Mosse and Tracy Borman.

The Harrogate History Festival will take place at the Old Swan Hotel from 22nd to 25th October.