Welcome!

Patron Emeritus: Frederick Forsyth CBE

Former RAF pilot and investigative journalist, master storyteller, Frederick Forsyth CBE wishes to do anything he can to encourage writers to have a go. Mr. Forsyth believes he can do that in a practical way in his capacity of Patron of The People’s Book Prize. The author of The Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File and multiple best sellers wishes to encourage authors to pursue a career in writing that will prove long and successful. “The good news is that book reading keeps on growing” says Frederick Forsyth.

His novels are true thrillers that have become film classics with unanimous international praise: The Afghan “…a story as fresh as tomorrow’s headlines…all told with a pace and panache that demands that you never put it down” Daily Mail. “An imagination and talent which shows little sign of abating.” Daily Express. “One of the world’s best thriller writers.” Wall Street Journal. “When it comes to espionage, international intrigue and suspense, Frederick Forsyth is a master.” Washington Post.

The Cobra, published in 2010, features some of the characters previously featured in Avenger, and has as its subject an attempt to destroy the world trade in cocaine. The Kill List was published on 2013 and it has been announced that Rupert Sanders would be directing the film version. On 10 September 2015, Forsyth’s autobiography, The Outsider: My Life in Intrigue, was published and became a best seller. In January 2018 great news that Mr. Forsyth would publish his eighteenth novel, a thriller about computer hackers, inspired by the Lauri Love and Gary McKinnon stories.

H.M. The Queen appointed him a Commander of the Order of the British Empire CBE in 1997 for services to literature. Recipient of multiple awards to include the Cartier Diamond Dagger (2012) by the Crime Writers Association.

Frederick Forsyth CBE is a radio broadcaster, a journalist and a great supporter of charity. The People’s Book Prize are grateful and privileged to have him as their Patron since 2010.

Founder and Prize Administrator: Tatiana Wilson

Tatiana came up with the idea for The People’s Book Prize as it is her ambition that new authors are given equal opportunity in the marketplace, based purely on their talent and ability. Tatiana recalls how lucky she feels to have had the support and encouragement of the late Dame Beryl Bainbridge DBE.

Giving people the opportunity to become the judges they are empowered to choose the next best sellers by buying, commenting and voting for their favourites. Totally democratic.

www.peoplesbookprize.com should be the first ‘port of call’ for anyone wanting to read or give a book: A perfect vehicle to discover writers’ talent voted by the public, raise the profile of libraries and celebrate reading. The readers are not only helping to discover new and undiscovered titles but they are helping preserve and expand the publishing industry to prosper and accept new work from aspiring authors and give employment in what could be a diminishing industry.
Being published does not necessarily mean being read!

Director, The People’s Book Prize Ltd.: Tony Humphreys

Tony started working in theatre as a production manager then producer/director whilst reading drama at Exeter University. After university he spent five years as actor/manager of a number of touring and community theatre companies producing and directing shows as varied as a two man version of Dr Faustus and a Miracle Cycle of sixteen new plays performed (on the same day) by hundreds of performers and musicians for the new city of Milton Keynes.

In 1986 Tony represented some of his former theatre colleagues as an agent and he also joined Humphrey Barclay Productions where he was a company director and involved with all of HBP’s output, including Look Back In Anger with Kenneth Brannagh and Emma Thompson, the successful long running Desmond’s for Channel Four, and Surgical Spirit for ITV. Tony was also a director of Hightimes Productions, which controlled the format for Me and My Girl, which starred Richard O’Sullivan and was broadcast by London Weekend Television, running for five seasons.

In 1997 Tony became Business Development Manager for Talent Television becoming its Managing Director in 1999. Early successes for Talent TV included being the first indie to produce both the awards ceremonies and TV productions for The BAFTA TV Awards and the 50th BAFTA Film Awards and Sky TV’s The Villa which ran for four series and pioneered reality TV with the use of surveillance cameras in an entertainment format. Humphreys created strong ties with Japanese broadcasters NHK and TV Asahi and with Akifumi Takagi took the Test the Nation format to Japan.

Since 2010 Tony Humphreys has focused on feature film production including Outside Bet, In The Blood, Suicide Love and the development of a French language feature film set in the south of France called The Whole Truffe. He is Creative Director of Talent Films.

Tony is a full voting member of BAFTA, was a judge for the Royal Television Society Awards, he Rose d’Or Festival, and chairman of the Cambridge International Format Forum.

Tony’s connection with the Far East was extended to China on 2014 when he was consultant for Hunan TV for the development and production of their first original celebrity reality format Wonderful Friends. In 2016 Tony accepted a consultancy role as Screen Specialist, Creative Content, for the UK Department of International Trade, helping British film and TV companies increase their international activities and exports, particularly in the USA and China.

Humphreys continues to act as a theatrical agent and for nineteen years has been Chief Executive of the UK arts charity The Discerning Eye which presents the prestigious ING Discerning Eye exhibition at The Mall Galleries each year. He is a Director of The People’s Book Prize Ltd. since 2013.

DIRECTOR, THE PEOPLE’S BOOK PRIZE LTD: JULIE HYDE MEW

Julie is a TV producer and journalist who has supported The People’s Book Prize since its inception.  A voracious reader, she is passionate about sharing her love of books with others, and encouraging more people to enjoy reading.

Julie has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Communications from Rhodes University in South Africa, and went on to become a specialist correspondent in environmental affairs and wildlife conservation issues for the country’s national broadcaster SABC TV.  She was also a national English news anchor, and presented various television shows, before relocating to the UK.  She has worked at BBC World and Sky News, specialising in foreign news and current affairs. 

Founding Patron: Dame Beryl Bainbridge DBE

Dame Beryl Bainbridge, who died in London on 2 July 2010, was The People’s Book Prize’s Founding Patron. This famous personality in the literary world is greatly missed and remains an inspiration to us all. Dame Beryl’s great support to The People’s Book Prize has been of immense value to us. In recognition to Dame Beryl, The People’s Book Prize created The Beryl Bainbridge First Time Author Award. We will always treasure her as our Founding Patron — The People’s Book Prize is a tribute to Dame Beryl and her legacy.

Her warm words at The People’s Book Prize launch at London Book Fair on 2009 will continue to guide us forward.
“Something like this, this idea – which is absolutely amazing – once it takes off, it will be of enormous importance to writers. I look forward to the time when we mention this particular prize as the greatest – and look back – and remember I was at the meeting at the London Book Fair and think where it has gone! So I wish it tremendously good luck.”

A renowned novelist, doyenne of British literature and best-selling author, Dame Beryl Bainbridge was and remains a household name. A brilliant writer, famous for stories of working-class families, compact historical novels, short stories and non-fiction. Bainbridge’s last work at the time of her death, The Girl in the Polka Dot Dress, was published by Little Brown on 2011.
In 2000, H.M The Queen appointed her Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). During her illustrious career, Dame Beryl won multiple awards including the Whitbread novel award twice and was nominated five times for the Booker Prize. In June 2001, Bainbridge was awarded an honorary degree by the Open University as Doctor of the University.
Several of her novels have been made into films. Her experiences in the theatre formed the basis of An Awfully Big Adventure, with Hugh Grant starring in the film. Many others followed, including Sweet William and The Dressmaker.