Stephen Venables (interviewer)
I am no fan of virtual reality. Myself, I prefer reality. So I was deeply sceptical about doing remote interviews on Zoom. But I have to admit that the final result was actually quite good. It obviously helped to have five such interesting authors, who were all as eloquent on screen as they are on the page, and it helped enormously to have techno-guru Henry Iddon doing such a skilful job of filming and editing, between Norfolk, London, Bristol, Kendal and Spain. After a rather sticky start, I found myself starting actually to enjoy the interviews. True, I missed the more rapid fire back-and-forth that you get live on stage – and of course I missed having the usual audience of loyal Boardman Tasker friends and supporters there in the room – but despite all that we got some good conversations going. (But note to self – don’t do so much talking!) Purist mountaineers might question the widening parameters of ‘mountain literature’ represented on the shortlist, but for me this was the huge scope and variety of subject matter that made the reading – and the interviewing – so rewarding. I also helped, of course, that each of the five books was beautifully written. So congratulations to all of them, and to the organisers of the Boardman Tasker Award, which after nearly forty years continues to go from strength to strength.
With best wishes,
Stephen
Patrick Baker - The Unremembered Places
What a privilege it has been to be short-listed for the Boardman Tasker. For as long as I can remember I have followed the award knowing that the short list always delivers an eclectic range of writing that challenges and deepens our perceptions of mountains and high places. As a writer and a mountaineer, it is the ultimate honour to be included on the list and be part of the wonderful legacy of writing inspired by Pete and Joe. To be nominated for the award this year, alongside some truly amazing books, has also been a genuinely humbling experience.
Emily Chappell - Where There’s a Will
Thank you for including me, someone who doesn’t fit into the traditional bracket of ‘mountain writing’. I was deeply honoured to be a part of the Boardman Tasker Short Listed Authors and Award event at Digital KMF and have been deeply touched by the kind words that everyone has said about Where There’s A Will.
I very much hope I’ll be able to come to Kendal in future years. It really is one of the best mountain festivals there is.
Peter Foster - The Uncrowned King of Mont Blanc
To have been short-listed for the Boardman Tasker Award was flattering and an honour, but more importantly, I felt the judges had accorded deserved recognition to my subject, Graham Brown. Like him or loathe him – and there are plenty who did – his remarkable achievements in science and mountaineering have gone unappreciated for too long.
Peter Goulding - SlateHead
Getting shortlisted for BT was amazing, t really validated the fact that I had been writing my book for five years, not really knowing whether anyone else would think it was any good. I’ve been a big fan of some of the BT winners over the years, like Andy Cave, M.John Harrison and Paul Pritchard, and it was good to be up there with them, or nearly! I can’t imagine ever being shortlisted again, I have told my story as best I could and I can’t see my having the time or the energy to put into another book about climbing. I am so pleased my book was recognised.
Jessica J.Lee - Two Trees Make a Forest
2020 Winner of the Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature
I was completely overjoyed for Two Trees Make a Forest to be shortlisted—and then go on to win—the Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature. When I set out to write the book, I wasn’t entirely sure where the book would fit in terms of genre: was it nature writing, biography, travel or something else entirely? The term ‘mountain literature’ thus feels a fitting umbrella for this strange book, and I am honoured for it to be recognised in memory of Pete and Joe.
The attentive readings of the judges felt truly attuned to the nuances of the book: as an author, I felt not only read but seen, and for this I’m very grateful. For this story to now find a wider readership among those who love mountain environments and to allow more readers who have historically felt underrepresented in such literature to see themselves on the page…..well, that is an author’s dream.
Thank you!