Booktrust has announced the launch of the first independent book prize aimed at young people, The Booktrust Teenage Prize, and are now calling for entries.

Having secured funding from Arts Council, England from April 2004 we feel in a position to administer the prize internally.

Booktrust Statement

The prize had been in jeopardy after a group of prominent British children's writers told the company that they never want to be entered for the award because of its sponsorship by Nestlé, the controversial Swiss-based multinational.

However in a statement the Booktrust said: "Having secured funding from Arts Council, England from April 2004 we feel in a position to administer the prize internally and with the support of teenage writers, publishers, teachers, parents, libraries, youth clubs and many more we aim to make this innovative prize a nationwide success."

The prize is aimed at encouraging reading in young adults, publishers may enter works of fiction, including novels, collections of short stories and graphic novels. The prize will involve teenagers in a range of activities and initiatives. Over the summer the Booktrust will be encouraging young adults to read the six shortlisted books and enter a number of competitions to win a place on the final judging panel in the autumn.

There will also be a new Booktrust teenage website in conjunction with the prize. The shortlist, which will be announced in July, will be judged by a panel of five, chaired by Julia Eccleshare and will include young competition winning adults. The final panel will consist of four adult judges and five teenage judges.

All titles entered should be fiction, aimed at teenagers 14 – 16 years old and written in English by a citizen of the UK, or an author resident in the UK. For rules and information contact Hannah Rutland on 020 8516 2986 or email hannah@booktrust.org.uk. Shortlist to be announced in July. The winner will be announced in an awards ceremony in London in late autumn.