UA Clients shortlisted for the British Book Awards

United Agents Books department are pleased to announce that several clients have been shortlisted for the British Book Awards for 2022. The British Book Awards, aka The Nibbies, represent the absolute best of the book trade, showcasing the books, bookshops, agents and publishers who make this industry shine.

Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson has been shortlisted in the Fiction: Debut category. Acquired in a nine-way auction, this Costa First Novel Award-winning novel is a love story between two Black artists in a world that demands strength over vulnerability. Open Water garnered glowing early endorsements and Viking reached beyond a traditional book-buying audience with a trailer posted across social media with links to all retailers.

In the Non-fiction: Narrative category, Miriam Margolyes's memoir This Much Is True is nominated. It was the bestselling female autobiography of 2021 and entered the charts in second in the Sunday Times bestseller list.

Abigail Balfe's debut author/illustrated book A Different Sort of Normal is shortlisted in the Children's Non-Fiction category. It was published in the summer of 2021 and strives to dispel myths around autism. Uniting Balfe’s illustrations and writing enabled the pages to capture her sensory experiences and create a multi-layered window to her tale. Also nominated in this category is How to Grow Up And Feel Amazing, written by Dr Ranj Singh and illustrated by UA client David O'Connell.

In the Children's Fiction category, Phil Earle is shortlisted for his book When the Sky Falls, which was also the Times Children's Book of the Year in 2021. Also nominated in this category is The Christmas Pig, written by JK Rowling and illustrated by UA client Jim Field.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at Grosvenor House London on 23rd May 2022 alongside an online ceremony for those who cannot attend in person.