Yorkshire Book of the YearReaders to decide Yorkshire Book of the Year
Readers of all ages and interests are invited to vote for their favourite Yorkshire Book in a
new award launched as part of Richmond Book Festival which takes place 21 – 30 September. But they
need to start reading now as postal votes have to be in before the end of July.
With sponsorship from Yorkshire Building Society the enterprising Richmond in North Yorkshire
has come up with this annual award which is being supported by independent local bookshops and
libraries across the region. All the books nominated are marked with a special Yorkshire Book Award
2007 short listed sticker. Readers can vote using the colourful cards found in libraries and
bookshops or on line through
www.richmondbookfestival.com.
The 15 books up for the award are in three categories, fiction, young readers and Yorkshire
Writings [non fiction] and the winner from each category will be announced on August 1st Yorkshire
Day. But it won't be until 21st September, the opening night of the Books & Boots, Walks &
Words festival that the winner will be announced when MP William Hague will present the Yorkshire
Book of the Year award to the overall winner.
The idea for the award comes from independent bookseller Philip Wicks who runs two bookshops,
one in Richmond and second in Northallerton.
"We are very involved with the local community and have supported the successful Richmond
Walking Festival. This year books are being added to the boots, offering locals and visitors alike
a really varied programme of events – with a wide selection of guided walks during the day then,
talks, archive films and meet the author events in the evening as well as literary lunches and
workshops."
Speakers and authors booked to appear at the Books & Boots, Walks & Words Festival
include Sir Chris Bonington, Diane Setterfield, Jonathan Tulloch and Michelle Paver.
Festivals organiser Gillian Howells said
"Richmond, North Yorkshire is a forward looking market town in a superb dales setting. We're
keen to make visitors and businesses aware of our many assets and the Yorkshire Book Awards is a
great example of how enterprising we are."
To vote for your Yorkshire Book of the Year 2007 got to
www.richmondbookfestival.com
where there will also be full details of the book festival or to
www.richmondwalking.com for
information of the guided walks.
For further information contact:
Gillian Howells 01748 825362
Philip Wicks 07960 729111
