A SOMERSET-BASED author has recently been shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2023.

The annual prize celebrates the talent of both established and new authors. Previous winning titles include The Last Bear by Hannah Gold, Look Up! by Nathan Byron and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.

Angharad Walker’s second novel, called Once Upon a Fever, was published by Chicken House in July 2022.

The fantastical novel, which features themes of illness and mystery, has been described by Guardian book critics as ‘A dark, clever, enthralling fantasy, with a vividly imagined setting’. 

The story follows two sisters who grow up in a hospital after an alternative London is plagued by fantastical illnesses.

Angharad spent hours trawling through medical history documents at the Wellcome Library and Gordon Collection at King’s College, London, for inspiration.

She also used personal experience to inform her writing. Just 10 weeks into writing the first chapter, the UK entered lockdown, allowing Angharad to understand her characters' thoughts and feelings more deeply.

Angharad said: "Back in 2020, I never could have imagined that the strange story I was writing about fantastical diseases would end up shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.

"I owe a huge thank you to every bookseller who has supported Once Upon A Fever.”

Rachel Leyshon, editorial director at Chicken House Publishers, added: “Angharad Walker is a rising star in the literary world - and it’s wonderful that Waterstones has taken the lead in recognising her original and outstanding talent.

"We’re thrilled to be an all-Somerset team in this prestigious national shortlist.”

Signed copies of Angharad Walker’s books will be available in Waterstones' Bristol and Bath stores.

A Cure Ever After, the sequel to Once Upon a Fever, will be published in autumn 2023.

To learn more about the book, visit the Waterstone's website.