James Dawson crowned Queen of Teen

British author James Dawson has beaten off competition from eight other authors, including US heavyweight John Green, to be crowned the first ever male Queen of Teen.
 
The award was set up by The Book People in 2008 to encourage teen girls to read and is voted for by teenagers. This year, many of the voters choose Dawson for his support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)  teens.

One teen voter said: “There are lots of gay characters in his books. But the books aren't about being gay; they're gay because they're gay and a huge fuss isn't made about it, which is fantastic.” Another, giving an opinion before Dawson was announced as the winner, commented that if he won "he would make a difference to the world of UK YA and would talk to lots of schools and change the world for the better.”

Dawson is the author of Hollow Pike (Orion Children’s) and Say Her Name (Hot Key Books), as well as the upcoming non-fiction title This Book is Gay, a guide to growing up when you are LGBT, which Hot Key Books will publish in September.
 
The winner was announced today (11th July) at a ceremony in Surrey. The other authors on the shortlist were Cathy Cassidy, Beth Reekles, Natasha Farrant, Holly Smale, Cassandra Clare, S C Ransom, Tonya Hurley, Veronica Roth and John Green.