Author who became first black writer to win British Book Awards’ book of the year to produce TV series of the novel

Candice Carty-Williams is writing and executive producing a TV series of her novel Queenie, which made her the first black author to win book of the year at the British Book Awards.

Her critically acclaimed debut novel fended off titles from authors including double Booker Prize winner Margaret Atwood.

Channel 4 is now turning it into a series – and one of her top priorities was picking the music.

“I’ve had a lot of arguments already as writer and executive producer,” she said.

“I wanted to choose the music. It is my baby and I know how these things can go.”

Ms Carty-Williams, from Lewisham but brought up all over South London, told 1Xtra: “When they first told me I was the first black author and first woman to win (Book of the Year), I was like ‘Oh. Oh. Oh.’

“I rate my work – and I work hard. But I knew mine was not the first book by a black woman to be worthy. Do I deserve it? Yes, in some ways – but I know who has come before me.

“I’m proud of myself, yes. I’m also sad and confused that I’m the first black and female author to have won this award since it began.”

Ms Carty-Williams was born at St Thomas’ Hospital in Waterloo and grew up in South London, living in Croydon, Clapham, Streatham, Ladywell and Lewisham.

She had been scheduled to do promotion tours for three months – but ended up doing so for a year.

“I have been very grateful but very tired,” she said. “But lockdown has been good to me. I have been resting and doing yoga.

“What I’m most proud of is the young black people who come up to me and say it made them feel less alone.

“One said it gave her the courage to get therapy. It is OK not to have everything worked out and it being a bit messy.

“You’ve all got a story and the way you tell it is important. Books are for you.”

Her book, about a troubled young Jamaican woman, was dubbed “the black Bridget Jones” on its release, but its author said: “Everyone has made the comparison to a black Bridget Jones. That’s how I thought of her in the beginning, too.

“But this book is also naturally political just because of who Queenie is. She’s not Bridget Jones. She could never be.

Book of the Year judge Stig Abell described it as “a novel of our time, filled with wit, wisdom and urgency”.

He added: “This shouldn’t be filed away as simply a funny debut by a brilliant writer (though it is that); this is an important meditation on friendship, love and race.”

Judge Pandora Sykes said: “The power of Queenie is the way it makes you feel – energised, moved, comforted.

“It is such an assured and original piece of debut fiction.

“Weighty issues about identity, race, family, heterosexuality and mental health are distilled into prose which is easily digestible, but extremely impactful.”