The importance of the Kim Scott Walwyn Prize

Helen Chapman, Designer at Templar Publishing, explains why she values the Kim Scot Walwyn Prize

I’ve been asked to write a piece about why the Kim Scott Walwyn Prize is important to me and to others and my first thought is where do I start!?

An award that recognises, praises and supports women in any industry is fantastic and one that’s in my field is automatically going to get my attention.

This award highlights women who have done incredible things in such a short amount of time (less than 7 years) and this year's shortlist is on another level! Having women that range from those who have founded their own businesses to those that have become the youngest publishing director is so inspiring that hopefully it will show anyone who has a passion for publishing that ANYTHING is possible. Publishing isn’t an impossible industry to break into anymore and these women are rocking it!

I am not a traditional candidate for this award as I come from a design background but I have never let that stop me - I’m currently co-chair of the Children’s Book Circle and am the first designer to have done that!

I thought “why not?” as this would be my last year to apply for the KSW Prize so I got my references in and waited. I received the best rejection of my life when I got notified I didn’t make the short list. That might sound bizarre but when I see the list of women who were notified and the lovely email I received I can only imagine what a crazy job the judges had narrowing us all down.

I have been very lucky in my career so far to be surrounded by wonderful, inspirational women who do so much. Not only in their jobs but also with the people they work with how they affect the industry in many ways. I am very excited to see what the next wave of women will bring.

Helen Chapman
@MsLenith

The 2017 winner will be annouced on May 10th.