Sheffield to host The Northern Book Prize 2019

14th January 2019

The Northern Book Prize was founded in October 2017, to mark And Other Stories' move to Sheffield and to celebrate the North of England's wealth of literary talent.

It is awarded to an outstanding and so-far unpublished work of literary fiction. The inaugural 2018 Northern Book Prize was won by Amy Arnold (of Windermere, Cumbria) for her novel Slip of a Fish. The judges for the 2019 Prize are currently reading entries. Slip of a Fish was published by And Other Stories in the UK and Europe in November 2018 to great acclaim, including a full-page rave Guardian review, and other strong reviews in the Irish Times, Sheffield Telegraph and the Times Literary Supplement. Amy Arnold's reading and a Northern Book Prize party were the closing night finale of Sheffield's 2018 Off the Shelf festival, and the author will appearing at Edinburgh International Book Festival in August 2019, among other appearances. The Northern Book Prize 2018 judges commented: 'A fearless test of empathy, a tender sounding of a mind long since overgrown, and a disturbingly sensual work with a prose that skitters, sinks, hooks, pulls, resists, and flips high in gorgeous blinding flashes, Slip of a Fish heralds the arrival of a stunning new voice in English fiction.' Amy Arnold said: 'I am overjoyed to have won the Northern Book Prize. Winning the award means that there are people out there who aren't afraid to look at different types of work and acknowledge that they have a place in literature. 'It buys me time and gives credence to the idea that hard work and taking risks pays off. I feel very fortunate and I am so grateful for this opportunity.' 2018 Judges for the Northern Book Prize:  Ian McMillan, writer and BBC broadcaster  Conor O'Callaghan, writer and lecturer in Creative Writing, Sheffield Hallam University  Tara Tobler, Editor, And Other Stories  Claire Malcolm, Chief Executive, New Writing North 2019 Judges:  Sarah Moss, Manchester-born author of acclaimed novels including The Tidal Zone and most recently Ghost Wall  Fiona Mozley, Man Booker shortlisted author of Yorkshire-set Elmet  Stefan Tobler, Publisher, And Other Stories Each year, the winner of the Northern Book Prize receives:  A prize and advance (currently worth £5,000)  Creative editorial support from And Other Stories.  A contract for the book's worldwide publication, distribution and representation from And Other Stories. And Other Stories seeks long-term sponsorship and partnerships for the Northern Book Prize, in order to grow the profile of the prize and increase its impact in the North of England and across the country. Please contact And Other Stories' publisher Stefan Tobler: stefantobler@andotherstories.org. And Other Stories A family business and a not-for-profit literary publishing house, it started publishing in 2011 and its first books included Man Booker Prize-shortlisted Swimming Home by Deborah Levy. In 2017 it relocated from the South-East to Sheffield, which it sees as its long-term home. In 2018, it was proud to be shortlisted for Excellence in International Trade at the Sheffield Business Awards 2018, and to win Northern Soul's Small Business of the Year Award and be named one of its Great Northerners. https://www.andotherstories.org/about-us/