Sarah Ziman's Blog
September 18, 2025
Longlisted for the UKLA awards!
After the excitement of the shortlist for Wales Book of the Year, I definitely wasn't expecting anything else, so it was a lovely surprise to find out 'Why Did My Brain Make Me Say It?' had been added to the longlist for the UK Literacy Association Book Awards in the 7-11+ category.
I'm in amazing company, so it's a real thrill. Thank you to the panel who make these early decisions on who to put forward for your kind words:
Why Did My Brain Make Me Say It? Written by Sarah Ziman
An exemplary collection of poetry, types and forms that explore all emotions, from laugh-aloud funny to achingly sad. A wonderful debut collection that will have teachers reaching for it again and again
Big thanks also to anyone who has already read/reviewed it - poetry doesn't tend to get as much recognition as prose, so I really appreciate your support. Do check out the rest of the longlist and the other categories here
https://ukla.org/ukla-book-awards-lon...
I'm in amazing company, so it's a real thrill. Thank you to the panel who make these early decisions on who to put forward for your kind words:
Why Did My Brain Make Me Say It? Written by Sarah Ziman
An exemplary collection of poetry, types and forms that explore all emotions, from laugh-aloud funny to achingly sad. A wonderful debut collection that will have teachers reaching for it again and again
Big thanks also to anyone who has already read/reviewed it - poetry doesn't tend to get as much recognition as prose, so I really appreciate your support. Do check out the rest of the longlist and the other categories here
https://ukla.org/ukla-book-awards-lon...
