THE BRITISH BOOKSELLER AWARDS 2021 - RICHARD OSMAN
Congratulations to Richard Osman, named Author of the Year at the 2021 British Book Awards. The Montegrappa-sponsored prize was awarded at last week’s virtual ceremony – accompanied by an Extra Custom fountain pen, decked out in celluloid shades inspired by the jacket design of ‘The Thursday Murder Club’.
The prestigious ‘Nibbies’ trophy caps a year of highs for the 50-year-old author and television presenter. Osman’s debut novel became Britain’s fastest selling crime book upon release, and has spent more than 25 weeks atop the UK fiction charts. Set in an up-market retirement home in Kent, the light-hearted crime thriller sees a group of amateur sleuths plunged in the middle of a live murder case. Film rights have already been snapped up by Steven Spielberg, and we suspect Mr. Osman has a great deal more writing ahead of him.
Montegrappa’s support of last year's British Book Awards culminated in a special, custom-made fountain pen for Bernadine Evaristo (medium fountain). 2020’s British Author of the Year was also recognised on the night with the fiction prize for her acclaimed novel Girl, Woman, Other.
The gold-nibbed ZERO Custom was designed by the author herself, who borrowed from the colours of her best-seller’s hardback edition to inspire a vivacious pastel livery. We were delighted to receive her acknowledgement via Instagram: “It’s absolutely gorgeous. What a treat!”
Affectionately known as the Nibbies, the awards marked their 30th anniversary with a virtual ceremony hosted in London on 29 June. Alongside the awards for Evaristo, Candice Carty-Williams’ Queenie was awarded Book of the Year in a landmark year for women of colour.
Instagram: @bernardineevaristowriter