Blackburn author needs your votes for the People’s Book Prize competition
A Blackburn author’s book is up for the People’s Book Prize votes.
Award-winning author Christina Gabbitas, who penned ‘Believe in the Magic of Blackburn’, has been entered into the People’s Book Prize Collection, with fans able to vote for her to win until April 30.
Ms Gabbitas has been commissioned by Blackburn BID to write a story to help bring the magic back to the city centre.
Its story, illustrated by Ursula Hurst, begins with Imtiaz and Peggy discovering a secret passageway in the Egyptian Room of the Blackburn Museum, taking them back in time to retrieve a gold coin from the Roman Emperor which takes them back in time on a magic rope visiting all keys. Iconic places and buildings in Blackburn.
Ms. Gabbitas’ next mission is to turn the story into a play and perform at the wonderfully iconic King Georges Hall, where part of the story takes place.
Blackburn BID Director Catherine Price said: “We are delighted the story has been given a national platform and put our wonderful town of Blackburn on the map.
“Christina wrote a wonderful story that has inspired and continues to inspire the children of the borough.
“We’re also looking forward to seeing the story come to life with actors.”
The People’s Book Prize is Britain’s No.1 book competition, voted on by members of the public.
Actress Jenny Agutter, patron of Ms. Gabbitas’ charity children’s literature festivals, read the book while filming Call the Midwife and compared Ms. Gabbitas to “E.Nesbit, Lewis Carroll with a little more Narnia” .
To vote for the Popular Book Prize, follow this link peoplesbookprize.com/summer-2021/believe-in-the-magic-of-blackburn/
Blackburn’s manager with Darwen Libraries, Adele Karwatt, said: “I hope the people of our town and Lancashire will support us and vote.”
