The Kelpies book prize is awarded each year for a brilliant story set wholly, or mainly in Scotland and suitable for children aged 8-12 years old. Entries need to be original, previously unpublished prose between 40,000 and 70,000 words long. Authors do not need to live in Scotland to qualify. This year the three short-listed authors met with friends and supporters in the Book Festival Writers’ Retreat for the announcement of the winner and the atmosphere was at least as tense as the content of the books.