A Whitbread Prize-winning novel set in Swindon has been shortlisted in the British Book Awards for a record-breaking five awards.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, by Mark Haddon, tells the story of a 15-year-old Swindon boy with an autism-related condition possibly Asperger's Syndrome, although this is not made explicit who investigates the killing of a neighbour's dog.
It paints a very recognisable picture of Swindon, mentioning the train station and other landmarks in the town centre.
The book has been nominated for the categories of book of the year, author of the year, literary fiction award, children's book of the year, and audio book of the year.
The British Book Awards are the publishing industry's equivalent of the BAFTAs and are the glitziest event in the UK book industry's calendar.
The ceremony celebrates the nation's favourite books, authors and publishers. The British Book Awards, were founded and are still organised by Publishing News, the weekly magazine for the book trade.
Nicknamed the Nibbies because of the pen-nib shaped prize given to the winners, the awards are now in their 15th year.
The awards ceremony will be held this year on Wednesday, April 7.
The ceremony will be televised for the first time on Channel Four in a Richard and Judy Special on Good Friday.
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