Matt Haig

Reasons to Stay Alive has been chosen as a World Book Night book! World Book Night is an annual celebration of reading and books that takes place on 23 April. It sees passionate volunteers give out hundreds of thousands of books in their communities to share their love of reading with people who don’t read regularly or own books. World Book Night is run by The Reading Agency, a national charity that inspires people to become confident and enthusiastic readers to help give them an equal chance in life. More information is here from The Bookseller. You can apply to be a volunteer here.

Reasons to Stay Alive has been shortlisted for the Waterstones Book of the Year!  See here.

I’m delighted that The Humans has been chosen as The City Reads book for 2015! City Reads is an annual citywide reading festival which aims to spread a love of books and ideas to the widest possible audience throughout Brighton & Hove. There’s so much going on around the city- see the events programme here. Thanks to Sarah and everyone at City Reads. If you’ve taken part in the City’s annual ‘big read’ then do join me for the final event at The Old Market in Hove. I’ll be discussing The Humans with journalist and broadcaster Alex Clark. Tickets are available here.

15 year-old Brennig Davies from Wales won the first-ever BBC Young Writers’ Award with Book Trust for his story ‘Skinning’.  I was totally bowled over by it. Even among a strong shortlist it stood out for its sheer confidence of style and subject. It had all the judges (Alice Levine, Samantha Shannon and me) gripped. When we heard he was only fourteen when he wrote the story our jaws collectively dropped. I hadn’t dared expect to read something this strong. He’s good enough to be published now, and – not that I am entirely sure he needs it – I am really looking forward to mentoring him. Brennig had his story broadcast on BBC Radio 1 on Huw Stephens’ show by Sir Ian McKellen.

I am one of the Costa Book Award judges this year.

I’ll be judging the First Novel category. If you’d like to download the entry form it’s here. The deadline is 26th June. Looking forward to reading the entries.