The Judges
PHILIP JONES OVERALL CHAIR OF JUDGES
Across more than 20 categories, with more than 400 submissions, and close to 50 shortlisted companies, people and books, judging The British Book Awards is no easy feat. I am grateful to all of the judges who put in huge amounts of effort this year, as well as The Bookseller’s back-room team who make sure the right submissions land on the right desks at the right time. The winners this year represent the best
from an incredibly high standard of entries—improving each year. The trade awards are judged by two different panels, with each discussion followed by a blind vote among the judges. In most cases there were clear winners—though in a handful where the voting was close, or where a submission could be singled out for excellence despite not winning the final vote, a Highly Commended has been awarded. The Books of the Year shortlists were judged by eight different
panels—one for each award, and another to decide on the overall winner. In each case an attempt was made to reach a decision by consensus, but when this was impossible—in two instances this year—a vote was held. In Children’s it was decided to award two Nibbies to two very different books, both of which were supported by all of the judges. My congratulation to all of the 2018 winners—the journey was worth it.
ALICE O’KEEFFE CHAIR OF BOOKS OF THE YEAR JUDGES
Someone once said to me, by way of an admonishment—I had my nose in a book at the time and should have been doing something more useful—“You’ll read your life away.” I didn’t know what he meant at the time, and I still don’t. Reading books has been the enduring pleasure of my life and, aside from actually reading, I can think of no more enjoyable way to spend time than talking about books to like-minded people.
So I was thrilled to take on the role of overall Chair of Books of the
Year for the first time in 2018. In addition to chairing the Début Fiction Book of the Year and Fiction Book of the Year panels, I had the pleasure of listening in as my The Bookseller colleagues Caroline Sanderson, Fiona Noble and Alison Flood chaired Non-Fiction: Lifestyle, Non-Fiction: Narrative, Children’s and Crime & Thriller respectively. The standard of entries this year felt exceptionally high, the shortlists were incredibly strong; every single book a potential winner. Over two intensive days of judging we had impassioned debates and fervent discussions as our excellent judges, drawn from retailers, novelists, journalists and bloggers, argued for the books they loved. It was an absolute pleasure to be there, and I hope our list of winners will give you great pleasure too.
AMY MCKAY SCHOOL LIBRARIAN
KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE AUTHOR
FIONA NOBLE CHAIR OF
CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR
MATT BATES W H SMITH TRAVEL FICTION BUYER
FANNY BLAKE NOVELIST
KAREN BRINDLE TESCO
HEAD OF BUYING, BOOKS
BOOKS OF THE YEAR
NICKY DISS ACTOR & DIRECTOR
SABINE DURRANT NOVELIST AND JOURNALIST
ALISON FLOOD CHAIR OF CRIME & THRILLER BOOK OF THE YEAR
CHARLOTTE HEATHCOTE DAILY EXPRESS AND SUNDAY EXPRESS ARTS AND LITERARY EDITOR
PHIL HENDERSON ASDA
BUYING MANAGER, BOOKS
SALI HUGHES JOURNALIST, AUTHOR AND BROADCASTER
NINA POTTELL PRIMA MAGAZINE BOOKS EDITOR
RAI
MOSTLY LIT CREATOR AND HOST
CAROLINE RAPHAEL DORA PRODUCTIONS DIRECTOR
IMOGEN RUSSELL WILLIAMS
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE CRITIC
CAROLINE SANDERSON CHAIR OF NON- FICTION: LIFESTLYE AND NON-FICTION: NARRATIVE BOOKS OF THE YEAR
04
PETE SELBY SAINSBURY’S HEAD OF BOOKS & MUSIC
THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS WINNERS 2018
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