I even met some aspiring authors – I hope I'll see their books on the shelves some day!

It was wonderful to meet so many of them afterwards at the book signing and chat to them. It means so much to have won this award because the winner is voted for by the teenagers themselves – our readers. Needless to say, we now have a very happy agent - go, Team London Independent Books! I actually got choked up when I was saying thank you to everyone! And Kerry Drewery, who I share an agent with, won the Highly Commended award. I was so shocked – I didn't think I was in with a chance as the rest of the shortlisted books are absolutely fantastic and all equally deserving of the award (you must read them if you haven't already!). Students had been chosen to introduce each of us – my student was Lucy, who read out one of the loveliest reviews for ACID I've ever had! Then we had to each give a short speech, and answer some questions posed to us by the various schools. All six of us authors were able to attend along with over 200 students from 26 schools plus teachers, parents and librarians, with professional storyteller Alec Williams hosting the event.

The awards ceremony was held at Newcastle's Centre for Life. On Friday, I took a train up to Newcastle for the North East Teenage Book Award, which ACID had been shortlisted for along with Kerry Drewery's A DREAM OF LIGHTS, Paula Rawsthorne's BLOOD TRACKS, Alison Rattle's THE QUIETNESS, Laura Lam's PANTOMIME and Matt Whyman's THE SAVAGES.

The Quietness by Alison Rattle