Ilett's debut teen novel wins Kelpies Prize 2017

First-time novelist Emily Ilett has won the Kelpies Prize 2017 for her debut The Girl Who Lost Her Shadow. This is the first time in the 12-year history of the award that a teen novel has won.

Ilett's prize-winning entry The Girl Who Lost Her Shadow, exploring sibling bonds and the affect of mental health issues on families, was praised by the judges for being a "stunning and powerful" debut novel.

Eleanor Collins, senior commissioning editor for Floris Books, said: “Once again, competition was fierce and the standard of entries this year was extremely high. However, The Girl Who Lost Her Shadow stood out because of its beautifully lyrical prose and unique style.”

Originally from North Yorkshire, Ilett studied at Glasgow School of Art and Glasgow University and now works at the Glasgow Women’s Library. She was awarded the Mairi Hedderwick Writing for Children Bursary from Moniack Mhor in 2015, and was Children’s Writer in Residence at Wigtown Book Festival the same year.

Award-winning children’s author and Scottish Bookbug Prize shortlister Chae Strathie hosted the ceremony which took place at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Ilett was presented with a £2,000 cash prize and a publishing deal with Floris Books’ Kelpies imprint, where her book will be published alongside YA authors Claire McFall and Cathy MacPhail. 

Floris Books first awarded the Kelpies Prize in 2005 with support from the Scottish Arts Council, now Creative Scotland, to encourage and reward Scottish writing for children.