Crystal Clear: At The End of Holyrood Lane Crystal Kite Award Winner

Flick, the little girl who lives at the end of Holyrood Lane is doing her happy dance right now. And why not, her story, At The End of Holyrood Lane has won the SCBWI Crystal Kite Members' Choice Award 2019 for the Australia New Zealand Oceania region.

A snapshot of the 15 best books chosen from SCBWI regions around the world - courtesy SCBWI June INSIGHT newsletter

As the scribe of her story, I'm feeling pretty chuffed, too. And a little overwhelmed and incredulous. I mean considering the incredible level of talent the other two shortlistees possessed, I honestly thought my day in the sun was had and was more than satisfied to bask in the warmth of just being shortlisted. But I confess, nothing brightens the life of an author like a bit of bling. Crystal bling no less!


I should not have doubted the allure and strength of this story, though. After all, with a illustrative narrative provided by the exceptionally talented, Nicky Johnston, Flick had every chance in the world of having her story noticed.
And noticed it was. Without the phenomenal ground swell of support and voting provided by our SCBWI peers, this award would never have been won. Now I'm no poster girl, so it's fair to say votes were cast because of the subject matter; the need to stand in solidarity together against social issues such as domestic violence, which Holyrood Lane gently addresses, is the clear winning voice here.

To each and every one of you who voted for our book throughout every round, an emphatic... 

THANK YOU!

The notice of this award came at a time when the old cheerdometre was at a bit of a low. Life can chuck some pretty hefty anvils at you from time to time, enough to hammer you flat but if you remember to look skyward even on your lowest days, you may just spot that spirit-lifting kite.


The best may be yet to come but right now, I'm grateful beyond words for this marvellous accolade. It not only validates the worth of our creative efforts but is further testimony of the value of belonging to like-minded communities like, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, where one can connect, support, applaud, learn, inspire and share great stories, together.

Illustrations by Nicky Johnston.
Kite image courtesy of Anil Tortop

For a complete listing of 2019 winners and to scroll through previous years' winners, visit the SCBWI site.

Comments

Rachna Chhabria said…
Congratulations on the Crystal Kite Award. Your book sounds wonderful!
6 June 2019 at 00:07
DimbutNice said…
Thank you so much, Rachna. I hope you get to meet Flick in person one day and read her story. Dimity :-)
6 June 2019 at 10:35
Norah Colvin said…
Congratulations on the award, Dimity and Nicky. Holyrood Lane is a wonderful book and totally deserves to be recognised in this way. You have every right to be dancing and singing your song.
Nicky, I just love the illustrations you did for this post. So gorgeous. :)
6 June 2019 at 20:47
DimbutNice said…
Brilliant of you to say so, Norah. Thank you so much and for your unyielding support for our work. Truly appreciated. xxx Flick sends hugs, too. :-)
7 June 2019 at 07:59
Debra Tidball said…
SO thrilled for you xx
7 June 2019 at 18:06
DimbutNice said…
Thanks, Deb. You of all people can imagine all the feels associated with this kind of happy. :-D ;-) xxx
9 June 2019 at 13:02
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