The Other Father Christmas by Serena Holly (my shared pen name with
@priscillamante_author for this title) has been shortlisted for Discover Book of the Year at the British Book Awards, the Nibbies.🎉
The Nibbies are a bit like the BAFTAs of publishing. They are hosted by
@_thebookseller and have been running since 1990 and are judged by industry experts, authors and journalists. A few years ago I was shortlisted for Editor of the Year and received a special commendation in that category. Now, in 2026, a book I co-wrote and published through Storymix Books has been shortlisted💪🏾.
The Discover category celebrates books from marginalised communities, often from indie publishers and small presses. We share the shortlist with some extraordinary titles exploring war, racism, survival and identity. And then there is our book, a younger middle grade Christmas adventure about a Black British grandad and his grandson, filled with elves, a gingerbread escape room and hot chocolate on tap.
The Other Father Christmas might look like the odd one out. It isn’t. Joy is our activism, and choosing joy right now matters.
Every major publisher said no to this book idea when I pitched it from
@storymixstudio - they said the book would struggle to find its audience. So we secured a grant from
@deutschebank and
@mewe360 , we crowdfunded through
@kickstarter , we printed with
@claysltd , packed boxes ourselves, worked with indie bookshops and built a campaign with very little budget. In a year when inclusive publishers and agencies were closing, Storymix Books built its own route to market.
This nomination belongs to the whole team: My co-writer Priscilla Mante, and the wonderful illustrator
@shahab_illustration ,
@beckychilcott @clarewhitston ,
@wendywoomakes @hazelholmesreads @sineadgosai @murray_in_london @irempulluk @bouncesalesandmarketing and partners like
@the_rebel_reading_society @noirkringle_blacksantauk @serlinaboyd and
@cocoagirlbrand @theselinabrown and
@bbbookfestival Festival,
@rubysreads_uk @imaginemestories @parrot_street , and
@kellyjade_n @wokebabies 
