Paul Gascoigne is pitted against Olympic runner Kelly Holmes as the competition hots up for this year's British Book Awards and all this year's shortlisted books can be found in Islington's libraries. In the shortlists announced recently, Gazza: My Story joins the race against Kelly Holmes' My Olympic Ten Days. Between them they have sold over 250,000 books. Both are among contenders for the Sports Book of the Year award, for which gold medal oarsman Matthew Pinsent and rugger coach Clive Woodward are also nominated. <BR/><BR/>"It's about the only time I stand a chance of beating Kelly" said Gazza. "I certainly could not on the track". <BR/><BR/>The Awards, in their 16th year, are the most popular event in the book world, matched by the accessibility of the books, which last year earned shortlisted authors around £12.2 million in royalties. The ceremony itself is to be shown in an hour-long programme, to be produced by Cactus TV for Channel 4, next month and hosted by Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan. Last year's awards had a television audience of over two million - the biggest ever for a book programme. <BR/><BR/>Other authors shortlisted include; actress Sheila Hancock, former US President Bill Clinton's, Simon Gray's and Katie Price, otherwise known as Jordan, whose Being Jordan has enjoyed a high profile at the tills with more than half a million sales.<BR/><BR/>Laura Willoughby, executive member for communities said, "I think events like the British Book Awards are a great opportunity to promote reading. Whether it's footballers, athletes, Presidents, models or actresses, you can find them all in Islington's libraries."<BR/><BR/>Notes:<BR/><BR/>The 16th Annual British Book Awards will take place on the 20th April at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane.<BR/><BR/>For further information about the British Book Awards log on to www.britishbookawards.com or contact <BR/>Emma Lawson/Ben Tisdall<BR/>Midas PR<BR/>020 7584 7474<BR/>e-mail: emmal@midaspr.co.uk
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009