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Katya Balen



Katya Balen is an author and the co-director of Mainspring Arts, a charity that provides creative opportunities for neurodivergent people. Her debut novel, The Space We’re In, was highly commended for the Branford Boase Award and longlisted for the Carnegie Medal. Her second book, October, October was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.
She lives in South London with her partner, two lazy dogs and an assorted collection of dying house plants.

 

Awards: Carnegie (2022)  see all

Genres: Children's Fiction
 
New and upcoming books
September 2025

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Letters from the Upside
 
February 2026

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Our Numbered Bones
 
Novels
   The Space We're In (2019)
   October, October (2020)
   The Light in Everything (2022)
   Birdsong (2022)
   Foxlight (2023)
   Ghostlines (2024)
   Letters from the Upside (2025)
   Our Numbered Bones (2026)
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Picture Books show
 
Chapter Books show
 
Awards
2025 Indie Book Award for Children's Fiction : Ghostlines
2022 Carnegie Medal : October, October

Award nominations
2023 Carnegie Medal (nominee) : The Light in Everything


Katya Balen recommends
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Witchspark (2024)
(Witchspark, book 1)
Dominique Valente
"An absolute delight. Full of magic and wonder, this is the kind of book you want to live in forever."
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On Silver Tides (2024)
(On Silver Tides, book 1)
Sylvia Bishop
"A classic in the making. I loved every word."

More recommendations 


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