Stephen Dilley
English teacher & HoD, bookworm, UKLA Book Awards team, Branford Boase Awards 2026 judge, Just Imagine reviewer, primary school governor and very amateur musician.
All views my own.
- A lovely thing: our Literary Society meets in a room full of old books from decades past, and I let them choose what they want us to read from off the shelves. Last term we enjoyed Waiting for Godot and Death of a Salesman; previously we’ve explored Sylvia Plath, Oscar Wilde and Alan Bennett.
- I'm really enjoying getting stuck into this terrific #BranfordBoase Award longlist but I can already tell how difficult it will be to choose from so many brilliant, different debut books. Congratulations to all the longlisted authors and editors!
- We are pleased to announce the longlist for the 2026 #BranfordBoase Award, recognising the year's outstanding debut writers for children AND their editors 👏#kidlit #booksky Thank you to @alcs.co.uk & @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social for their support. branfordboaseaward.org.uk/2026-longlist/
- Reposted by Stephen DilleyCongratulations to the authors and editors on the longlist for this year's #BranfordBoase Award. 24 books on what co-founder and chair of the judges, Julia Eccleshare describes as ‘the most varied longlist in the 25 years+ of the Award.’ #booksky booksforkeeps.co.uk/longlist-ann...
- Reposted by Stephen DilleyWe are pleased to announce the longlist for the 2026 #BranfordBoase Award, recognising the year's outstanding debut writers for children AND their editors 👏#kidlit #booksky Thank you to @alcs.co.uk & @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social for their support. branfordboaseaward.org.uk/2026-longlist/
- I'm beyond excited to be one of this year's judges for the #BranfordBoase Award alongside @margaretmcdonald.bsky.social, @katherinewoodfine.bsky.social, Anjali Patel and Julia Eccleshare, and can't wait for tomorrow when we will find out which talented debut authors and editors have been longlisted!
- Reposted by Stephen Dilley[Not loaded yet]
- Reposted by Stephen Dilley[Not loaded yet]
- 2026 books read: 1. This, My Second Life by Patrick Charnley Poignant and understated debut novel about a young man recovering from a brain injury living on his uncle's farm in Cornwall, with a touchingly innocent narrative voice and also featuring some Blyton-esque skulduggery!
- Happy New Year! In 2025 I read 251 books - as ever, lots these were relatively quick reads. These were my favourite children's/YA books @bconaghanauthor.bsky.social @philipreeve.bsky.social @nmgarrard.bsky.social @whusseyauthor.bsky.social @tiafisher.bsky.social