Woo hoo! I really couldn’t believe it when Something’s About to Blow Up was announced as winner of the International Education Services Teen/YA Novel of the Year at the 2024 Irish Book Awards

I was totally unprepared – I definitely made the shortest speech of the night!

The An Post Irish Book Awards is a true celebration of Irish literary talent. The Convention Centre in the heart of Dublin was lit up in An Post corporate colours, and host to over 700 writers, publishers, agents, booksellers and librarians from Ireland and the UK. I love the evening because everyone in Irish publishing is there and it’s a great opportunity to catch up. It’s even more amazing to hear your name read out from the stage!

My teen books only came about because Gill Books asked me to consider writing YA, so huge thanks to my editor Venetia Gosling. I cannnot say how much I appreciate all the readers, librarians, and booksellers – everyone – who has supported Sam Blake over the years, and who voted for Something’s About to Blow Up.

My biggest thanks go to Simon Trewin my amazing agent, without whom Sam Blake would still be scribbling in an attic, read only by mice!

One of the absolute highlights of the night was the cheer that went up from the table of Irish Murderesses when the shortlist was read out and #SomethingsAbouttoBlowUp flashed up on the huge screen – even if I hadn’t won, that would have made my night!

RTE are screening an awards show on 19th December, and you might see me there talking about something other than teen books (*mysterious face*)

I love a mystery that challenges me to try and discover the solution as I read, and has plenty of twists and turns. I’m fascinated by what goes on behind closed doors and what people *aren’t* telling you when you first meet them.

In Something’s About to Blow Up, things get REALLY dramatic for the girls at Raven’s Hill. How much can happen in 24 hours?! A lot as it turns out.

A devastating explosion. Six girls in hospital And the clock is ticking! Some Monday mornings just don’t go to plan – when Frankie oversleeps and is super late for school, the last thing she expects as she rushes up to the Chemistry lab to give Becky back her iPad, is for the room to explode… What on earth has happened, and why?

I’m always really careful with each book making sure that it can be read as a standalone, so if you haven’t read Something Terrible Happened Last Night, my first book set in Raven’s Hill, you’ll still get the full picture.

A huge and massive thanks to everyone who voted! (and take a look below at the most AMAZING review from Emer Cronin, Age 15 for Paper Lanterns)

I was also left feeling quite teary after I received this gorgeous review via the spring edition of the Paper Lanterns Literary Journal. Thank you to Emer Cronin – this really has made my day! It’s wonderful to get such positive feedback from a reader.