Kelpies Prize 2018 – Winner Announced!

After poring through entries about everything from Bonnie Prince Charlie to haunted lighthouses, the judging team had no easy task in choosing the winner of the Kelpies Prize 2018. After much deliberation, we’re delighted to announce that our winner is… (drumroll please) Hannah Foley!

Hannah Foley is presented with her giant cheque by award-winning children’s author Lari Don

Grab your enchanted bicycle and hold on tight! Hannah’s winning entry, The Lost Wizard of Nine Witches Wood, is a warm and quirky whirlwind of an adventure, starring a host of fantastical creatures from Scotland’s rich mythology. Award-winning author (and former Kelpies Prize shortlister) Lari Don was on hand to present the prize. As well as a gigantic cheque for £2000, Hannah has secured a coveted publishing deal with Floris Books.

The Kelpies Prize 2018 Shortlist (L-R): Hannah Foley, Robin Scott-Elliot and Celia Bryce

We’d also like to congratulate shortlisters Celia Bryce (Haunted Tide) and Robin Scott-Elliot (Over the Sea to Skye). Celia’s darkly atmospheric tale and Robin’s historical adventure had our audience on the edge of their seats.

Our Kelpies Prize 2018 winner

Hannah Foley grew up in Devon and worked as a registered nurse for a number of years before returning to school to study illustration at Edinburgh College of Art. She is now a freelance illustrator, living back in Devon, illustrating for children, young people and families in the educational and charitable sectors. Hannah loves creating narratives with both words and pictures.

About the book

Part-girl, part-cat, Cat McKeel has always known she’s a little different (after all, the tail is a bit of a giveaway). What Cat doesn’t know is that she holds the key to a magical prophecy – she’s the only person who can bring back the lost wizard of Nine Witches Wood.

Teaming up with her best friend Low (part-boy, part-owl, quite partial to rodents), and with help from her nine witch guardians (plus a few fantastical creatures from Scotland’s rich mythology), Cat is plunged into a haphazard magical world of secret libraries, flying bicycles and not-so-terrifying trolls on her search for the great wizard.

But finding ‘the magic man’ won’t be easy, especially when one of the very witches sworn to protect Cat is secretly working against her to unleash an ancient evil…

Want to enter next year’s prize?

We’re making some exciting changes to the Kelpies Prize for 2019, watch this space and make sure you’re following @DiscoverKelpies on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all the details!