Author Malorie Blackman is awarded the PEN Pinter Prize 2022, which makes her the first children’s and Young Adult writer to win the award. Blackman has penned over 70 children and YA books.
This year's judges included: Ruth Borthwick- Chair of English PEN; Margaret Busby; and Daniel Hahn. Praising Blackman and her works, the judges said "for more than two decades she has delivered visionary and challenging work that resonates far beyond the written page," in a statement on the award's website.
On winning the award, Blackman said in the statement, "I am truly honoured and more than a little stunned to be the recipient of the 2022 PEN Pinter Prize. I have long admired Harold Pinter for his courage and dedication to human rights and social justice and have always believed in the power of the creative arts to connect and communicate with others. I especially believe in the power of fiction to shine a spotlight on the truth and feel truly blessed that I predominantly write for the most discerning, honest audience – young adults and children. Thank you English PEN for considering me a worthy recipient of this award."
Established in 2009 in honour of Nobel-Laureate playwright Harold Pinter, the PEN Pinter Prize is awarded annually to a writer 'who, in the words of Harold Pinter’s Nobel speech, casts an "unflinching, unswerving" gaze upon the world, and shows a "fierce intellectual determination … to define the real truth of our lives and our societies",' reads a statement on the award's website. Also, the writer should be a resident of the UK, Ireland, Commonwealth or former Commonwealth.
Blackman will be presented the award in a ceremony on October 10 this year; she will also deliver a speech at the event.
'The prize will be shared with an International Writer of Courage: a writer who is active in defence of freedom of expression, often at great risk to their own safety and liberty. The co-winner, selected by Malorie Blackman from a shortlist of international cases supported by English PEN, will be announced at the event on 10 October,' as per the award's official website.
READ MORE:
