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The Polari Prize is launching a new award for Children’s and YA Literature with LGBTQ+ themes or representation, chaired by author Jodie Lancet-Grant.
The prize will cover anything published in the 24 months up to 1st February 2022 and is open to any children’s or Young Adult book. It will be sponsored by the inclusive children’s book company Little Box of Books, with a £1,000 prize awarded to the winner.
The judges for the inaugural Polari Children’s and YA Prize are Sam Sedgman, co-author of Nibbies Children’s Book of the Year award-winning Adventures on Trains series (Macmillan Children’s Books); Dr Liz Chapman, a children’s librarian, associate lecturer in education, and researcher on LGBTQ+ literature and libraries; Lynsey Pollard, founder of Little Box of Books; and Zoey Dixon, chair of Youth Libraries Group London.
Lancet-Grant said: “If we are to create a truly tolerant society, we need to teach our children that anyone can be the hero of the story, whatever their sexuality, gender or family set up. I started writing books featuring families with same-sex parents because I could find so few on the shelves. Thankfully, that ’s begun to change in recent years, and I’m delighted to be working with Paul and the Polari team. They’ve done an amazing job at promoting queer writing for adults, and I believe it’s time we do the same for books for children.”
The Polari First Book Prize, and Polari Prize for overall book of the year are also now open to books published in the 12 months up to 1st February 2022. The Polari Literary Salon will also move to a new home at the British Library from November.
Paul Burston, founder of the Polari Literary Salon and Polari Prizes, said: “As Polari enters its 15th year, the salon continues to go from strength to strength, constantly developing new audiences and showcasing emerging and established LGBTQ+ literary talent across the UK and beyond. Moving to the British Library will enable us to flourish and grow even further. Adding a new category to the Polari Prize awards reconfirms our position as the UK’s leading book awards for LGBTQ+ writing. This year promises to be a hugely exciting year.”