Hilary assumes winner's Mantel...

Hilary Mantel's 'Wolf Hall' continues its incredible streak, winning the inaugral Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction. The 16th century based novel, which has already won the 2009 Man Booker Prize, was deemed 'immersive, constantly engaging, beautifully crafted, and compulsively readable'. Mantel, unable to attend due to illness, said that she was 'astonished and delighted and gratified', to beat off such fierce competition as Robert Harris and Adam Foulds. The prize was set up earlier this year by the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch, distant descendents of Scott, to reward novels set more than 60 years in the past. Mantel also wins £25,000.

Hilary Mantel just keeps going...

Booker prize winner Hilary Mantel has been longlisted for yet another literary award for her novel 'Wolf Hall'. The Orange Prize for Fiction, established 15 years ago, celebrates excellence in women's writing. The longlist, described as 'muscular and pleasurable', by the chair of the judging panel, includes Andrea Levy and Sarah Waters, will be cut down to a shortlist on April 20th, and the winner of the £30,000 prize will be announced on June 9th.

On this day...

Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII, died in 1536 at the age of 50. As a member of the Tudor dynasty, she and her historical contempories have found themselves popular subjects for recent fiction works. Perhaps the newest example, is that of Hilary Mantel's 'Wolf Hall'. The protagonist of her Booker winning novel, Thomas Cromwell, served as Henry's chief minister and was a strong advocate for his divorce from Catherine and subsequent split from the Church. The influential Tudor period has also found its way into the work of other modern authors. Philippa Gregory's historical fiction, concentrated on Henry's wives and daughters, is highly successful. Her first novel of the series, 'The Other Boleyn Girl' has recently been adapted for the screen and the rights for the sequel, 'The Boleyn Inheritance' have already been sold. Other authors to write about the period include Alison Weir, Kate Emerson and Jean Plaidy. 

Coffee, biscuits and books...

Hilary Mantel has been shortlisted this week for the Costa Book Awards. Mantel had literary success earlier this year, winning the Man Booker Prize with her new novel, 'Wolf Hall'. An historical novel, 'Wolf Hall' is based on Thomas Cromwell, and his rise to power in the Tudor dynasty; the judges said that Mantel was awarded the prize for 'The extraordinary way that [she] has created what one of the judges has said was a contemporary novel, a modern novel, which happens to be set in the 16th century.' Up against her in the Costa awards, are novelists Penelope Lively, Colm Toibin and Christopher Nicholson. The winner of the £5,000 award will be announced on January 26th.

Motion heads Man Booker...

It has been announced that Andrew Motion is to be the chair of judges for next year's Man Booker Prize. The former Poet Laureate, who was involved in accusations of plagiarism earlier this month, said it was an 'exciting challenge' and that he was looking forward 'to a year of reading voraciously'. Following on from Hilary Mantel's victory ealier this year, the longlist of her potential successors will be announced in July; the shortlist of six is published in September, and the winner will be named in October. Previous recipients of the £50,000 award include William Golding, Salman Rushdie, and Ian McEwan.