Over the last year, Year 9 pupils have been involved in the voting process to determine the winner of the prestigious Lancashire Book of the Year 2025. This award is particularly special as it is one of only a handful of book awards in the country in which young people themselves are responsible for choosing both the shortlist and the winning book! Over the last few months, pupils have read several titles and as a thanks for their involvement, were invited to attend the awards ceremony at UCLAN.  The event began with the authors sharing insights into their inspiration, writing process, and what motivated them to explore themes explored in their books. Following the chat, a spirited Q&A unfolded during which students asked about character creation, how to deal with setback, and the effect AI is having on the creative industry. The session concluded with a book signing and a photo opportunity. It was a fantastic day that blended inspiration, interaction and a celebration of young readership.