Ipswich author shortlisted for Christian Book Award
Ipswich based author, Hannah MacFarlane, is the author of four novels for children and young adults. Her latest book, Babylon, has been shortlisted in the children’s category of the UK Christian Book Awards 2012.
Babylon is a fictional retelling of the Biblical account of Daniel and is part of the Dark Chapters series.
‘Babylon plays with viewpoint so that readers can grapple with of Nebuchadrezzar’s experience as much as Daniel’s. I don’t shy away from the harsh reality of the time - some of what happened was horrific and the novel presents that.’ Hannah says.
The Dark Chapters series is published by Scripture Union in response to the vast array of horror books aimed at young people. This presents a fantastic opportunity to help young people get into the pages of God’s word and wrestle with some of the difficult questions of faith.
‘I believe it doesn’t just matter that our children read,’ says Hannah, who studied Drama and Education at the University of Cambridge, ‘it also matters what they read. Nobody should have to choose between great values and fantastic writing - so I try hard to provide both. I’m really excited to have been shortlisted with Babylon. It was completely unexpected, but a real compliment for my writing to be selected.’
The UK Christian Book Awards are run by Speaking Volumes, a scheme that helps churches donate Christian books to libraries and schools, on behalf of the Christian Book Promotion Trust. The charity was set up 42 years ago by Cecil Jackson Cole to promote Christian literature to an audience beyond the Church. The award promotes what is best in Christian writing in the UK and encourages the writing of Christian books. It looks specifically at books that would sit comfortably on a public library shelf. Promoting the title "The Ultimate Christian Library Book". The winners in the two categories are decided by a public vote.
Hannah says, ‘The Ultimate Christian Library Book is a fantastic award to be considered for. With Dark Chapters we set out to help teenagers and young adults grapple with questions about God’s character - if Babylon is a great read that would sit happily on a library shelf and encourage the public to engage with Christianity, I’m happy.’
Hannah spoke to Rob Dunger on BBC Radio Suffolk about Dark Chapters: Babylon and the UK Christian Book Awards on Sunday 8th January and the programme can be heard on the BBC iplayer.
Dark Chapters: Babylon is available from www.amazon.co.uk as a paperback or in kindle format. ISBN-13: 978-1844276189
Hannah MacFarlane lives in Ipswich with her husband and two daughters.
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