“Hope, reassurance, emotional and environmental reconnection, and a generous sprinkling of magic.”
It’s been a really tough 2020, but there has been some good news, so let’s focus on the positive. Back in 2018, The CLPE (Centre for Literacy in Primary Education) published its first Reflecting Realities Report. It found that only 1% of children’s books published in 2017 featured a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic main character. This year, it published its second report – and in 2019, 5% of children’s books had a BAME main character. Still not enough, but it’s definitely progress.
It’s not just ethnicity that needs addressing. We also need more representation across the board, looking at more books featuring children with disabilities, and also LGBTQIA+ books. But it’s encouraging to see things moving in the right direction. Every child needs – and should be able – to see themselves in a book.
In other good news, it was really exciting to launch the very first Writing Magazine Chapter Book Prize this year – something we’re looking forward to rolling out on an annual basis. So now is the perfect time to be working on a new chapter book idea, ready for the submission window (1 September-31 October). We also had a record number of Picture Book Prize entries in 2020, and the standard of entries is getting better every year. Decision-making was incredibly hard! A big thank you to everyone who entered the book prizes.
So, what will people be looking for in 2021? My feeling is: hope, reassurance, emotional and environmental reconnection, and a generous sprinkling of magic – fortunately, perfect ingredients for a children’s book. The perpetually popular genre of magic and fantasy may help to sensitively address some of the difficult situations that children have faced in 2020 – and may still be suffering the consequences of. A little escapism can go a long way as we try to put ourselves back together after a challenging time.
Be kind to yourself, too, as you start a new year. As you consider your writing plans for the year ahead, think big, write bold, and fill your stories with passion and compassion. Because I reckon that’s what we all need in 2021.