Lauren Draper and Sophie Beer shortlisted for Queensland Literary Awards

Congratulations to Sophie Beer and Lauren Draper who are finalists for the Queensland Literary Awards for their respective works Thunderhead (Allen and Unwin) and Return to Sender (PanMacmillan)! Read the Judge's’ comments below.

Thunderhead

Sophie Beer (Allen & Unwin)

Judges' comments: 

Music-obsessed Thunderhead is navigating starting high school by blogging under a pseudonym, drawing and creating playlists. But how can these distractions help when faced with permanent hearing loss? Resonant with illustrations and a fresh and modern epistolary format, Beer’s original use of literary and figurative stratagems creates a deeply moving and laugh-out-loud account about learning how to be yourself when also overcoming loss and adversity.

Return to Sender

Lauren Draper (Pan Macmillan Australia)

Judges' comments:

Return to Sender is a polished and engaging double mystery exploring themes of friendship, grief, and home.  The setting is tightly crafted and wholly immersive. Well-drawn characters are the beating heart of the story; Draper crafts a strong and fully realised protagonist as Brodie navigates coming-of-age, historical mystery, and a lovely enemies-to-lovers romance. Warm, skilled and highly contemporary.