More than 90 small presses and independent bookshops have made the shortlists for the 2021 British Book Awards in regional and country categories.
Far from the Madding Crowd, a bookstore set on two floors of a Georgian building in Scotland’s Linlithgow, is in contention for a regional/country honor in the British Book Awards. Image: MaddingCrowdLinlithgow.com
Forty-four Small Presses, 48 Bookstores
Among the distinguishing contributions of the British Book Awards to the United Kingdom’s industry is the fact that they go well beyond the titular British books with an extensive and committed acknowledgment of the importance of small retailers and presses.
‘Rain Before Rainbows’ is a collection of illustrated poems written over the past 10 years. The former Ripon Grammar School pupil, now in her third year studying biological sciences at the University of Oxford, is also a talented photographer, film-maker and artist, and said: “These poems are about wildlife and the natural world, its beauty and its fragility - and why it’s essential we protect it. I wanted to raise awareness about the environment, and also donate money to a conservation charity.” The 21-year-old was attracted to Tiggywinkles wild animal hospital after researching various charities. She said: “I really liked the fact Tiggywinkles works with British wildlife.”