Local author up for Book of the Year

LOCAL author Bridget Anne Perrett’s debut novel is in the running for an award.

Her book, The Heart of Grinnwick, has been nominated for Book of the Year in the 2024 ABLE Golden Book Awards.

Ms Perrett said being nominated for the award felt amazing and is very exciting.

“It’s very surreal to see a picture of something that you created and your face on their marketing, which is amazing,” she said.

The author describes her novel as a “coming-of-age fantasy adventure book”, with two tangled stories that eventually meet.

The plan is for The Heart of Grinnwick to be the start of a series, with the second instalment already in the works.

Ms Perrett believes there are a mixture of things that made her novel stand out.

“You don’t read a book by its cover, but the cover is quite engaging and just really leads you into that imagination process. I find you look at it and it’s just so intricate,” she said.

“Also, once you start getting into the book and reading, the characters are just so lively and vivid, and you can’t help but warm to them.”

Ms Perrett self-published the novel in December and said the reaction from readers had been positive.

“People who haven’t read fantasy have really enjoyed it. It’s a great entry-level fantasy. There’s a lot of world building within the book, which can take a little bit of getting used to.

“But everybody has always just come to me wanting the next one, which has been amazing.”

Ms Perrett said winning the award would be incredible and recognition for all the hard work she’s put in over the years.

The winner will be determined by a judging panel and announced in October.

For more information on The Heart of Grinnwick, head to theheartofgrinnwick.com