Co-founder of Branford Boase Award steps down after 22 years

Anne Marley is stepping down from the role of Branford Boase Award administrator, 22 years after co-founding the children’s book prize.

Marley co-founded the award with the children’s director of Hay Festival Julia Eccleshare, in memory of author Henrietta Branford and her editor Wendy Boase. The prize rewards the most promising new authors and their editors, highlighting excellence in writing and publishing for children. It is presented annually to the most promising book for children of seven and upward by a first-time novelist.

Marley will continue to remain on the board of trustees, while the new administrator will be Andrea Reece.

Commenting on Marley’s tenure, Eccleshare said: “The BBA is recognised as one of the most important of the children’s book awards, with a distinguished reputation for highlighting the most exciting new authors at the start of their careers”.

“Anne’s vision, dynamism and dedication have been central to that, and we are hugely grateful for all that she has done and continues to do.”

Submissions are now open for the 2023 award, which will be judged by author and reviewer Joanne Owen, the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education’s Darren Matthews, teacher Sajeda Amir and author and former winner of the prize Maisie Chan. It will be chaired by Eccleshare.

Publishers are invited to make their submissions by the closing date, midnight on 28th November 2022.