Cambridge graduate Lucy Banks has her Christmas slug story released to millions of Amazon devices
Cambridge graduate Lucy Banks has found literary fame at Christmas after her children's story about a slug was published for free on Amazon devices.
Ex-Homerton student Lucy, a copywriter by day and aspiring author by night, beat entries from almost 1,000 others in a competition to find a modern equivalent to 'Twas The Night Before Christmas.
Her story, Sol The Slug's Night Before Christmas, was inspired by the real slugs she found in her kitchen. It tells the story of Sol, who is living under a family's floorboards and assumes Christmas is not for him, until he comes face to face with Father Christmas.
It has been made available for free on Kindle and Fire devices as well as the Kindle reading app until Christmas Eve. Print copies are also available to buy.
Lucy, 34, said:"I am delighted that Sol the Slug has captured the hearts and imaginations of the judging panel. I tested the story on my two little boys and I just hope that the story will be as popular with children across the country as it was with them. I think there is a lot to be learnt from creatures like slugs; they are universally disliked, but offer something rather lovely to the world. It is a story about acceptance and inclusivity, and I hope it encourages readers to look at the world differently and realise that regardless of appearance, or in this case sliminess, everybody is remarkable."
The story was illustrated by artist Aless Baylis as part of Lucy's prize. She also picked up a £2,000 Amazon gift card and new Fire tablet as part of the prize, and as a Kindle Direct Published author, she will earn future royalties once she starts selling the story at the price of her choice from Christmas Day following the initial five day free period.
Amy Worth, UK Kindle content director, Amazon, said:"The saying goes that we all have a story within us, and the outpouring of creative Christmas tales we've received from aspiring writers across the UK proves this. Whilst there were a number of brilliant entries, Lucy's story, Sol the Slug's Night Before Christmas, is a refreshing take on the festive classic which we think parents and children alike will enjoy. We are delighted to be giving this story away for free in the five days before Christmas and we hope families across the country will make Sol the Slug a part of their Christmas Eve bedtime reading for years to come."
Baroness Floella Benjamin OBE, children's storytelling expert and judge, said:"I'm thrilled that this Amazon competition inspired so many people across the UK to give story writing a try, we received many many fantastic entries. Sol the Slug's Night Before Christmas is without a doubt an unusual Christmas tale, but it is a funny and heart-warming story with the very important and timely message of inclusivity sitting at the heart. Sol is a unique protagonist, but one that we think will resonate with readers around the world."
Professional artist Aless Baylis, added:"As part of the judging panel I was lucky enough to read the shortlist of entries and despite the high calibre of entries, I knew as soon as I read Sol's story, that I wanted to add some colour to this brilliantly different Christmas story. I am sure that children will love to imagine Christmas Eve through the eyes of a slug; I really enjoyed drawing what Sol's story conjured up in my imagination."
