Here be Witches, the new young-adult book by local award-winning author Sarah Mussi, is being showcased in The People’s Book Prize Spring Fiction 2017 Collection.

The Prize is a national competition aimed at finding, supporting and promoting new and undiscovered works. The public have until 14 May 2017 to vote when nine authors from three book categories will be shortlisted for an award presented at The People’s Book Prize 8th Awards Ceremony on 23 May 2017 at The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers in London. Here be Witches can be voted for by registering via this link: www.peoplesbookprize.com/book.php?id=1507.

Set in the Welsh mountains and steeped in their mythological history, the book follows the adventures of Ellie Morgan, a modern teenager raised on the slopes of Snowdon. Embroiled in an ancient battle between good and evil, Ellie and her companions set out on a perilous quest to reverse a witches’ curse that has awoken the legendary dragons of Wales and other frightening monsters of Welsh mythology, and save Ellie’s one true love, Henry.

Mussi’s editor Susie Ryder said: ‘I loved this book! Once again, Sarah Mussi has beckoned me into her magical world of Snowdonia. The terrific cast of characters – human and mythical – and a breathless plot kept me gripped into the small hours.’ Sarah Mussi is a teacher, reading consultant and the multi-award winning author of eleven books, including The Door of No Return, which won the Glen Dimplex Children’s Book Award and Riot, which won The Lancashire Schools Award. She is the current chair of Children’s Writers and Illustrators in South London and when she’s not writing, she splits her time between visiting schools as an author, promoting creative writing for children and teaching in Lewisham schools.

Delighted that the book is being showcased by the Prize, Mussi said: ‘I'm deeply touched and thrilled to be showcased in The People’s Book Prize with my novel Here be Witches. There are so many excellent teen novels out, that to stand shoulder to shoulder with such other great titles in this amazing prize is a privilege and an honour.’