A Norwich-based writer is in the running for a national award for her latest book.

Sophie Someone, by teen fiction author Hayley Long, is among four books that have made the shortlist for the children's book category of the Costa Book Awards 2015.

The book – published by Hot Key Books – focuses on a girl called Sophie who uses words differently to the average person and she sets out to tell her story in her own secret language.

Judges described it as a 'pacy, exuberant story full of wit and charm'.

Previously Ms Long was awarded the White Raven label for outstanding children's literature by the International Youth Library for her first teen novel Lottie Biggs Is Not Mad. She also made the 2012 Costa Children's Book Award shortlist with her book What's Up With Jody Barton?

In the 2015 Costa Childen's Book Award shortlist Ms Long faces competition from: Frances Hardinge for The Lie Tree (Macmillan Children's Books); Sally Nicholls for An Island of Our Own (Scholastic); and Andrew Norriss for Jessica's Ghost (David Fickling Books).

The shortlist was revealed this evening along with shortlists for four other award categories – first novel, novel, biography and poetry. A shortlist for the short story category will be revealed on November 30.

The winners will be announced on January 4 and the overall winner of the Costa Book Of The Year 2015 will be announced on January 26.

Christopher Rogers, managing director of Costa, said: 'The quality and breadth of talent and writing in this year's lists is staggering and there is something here for everyone.'

The awards, which were previously known as the Whitbread Book Awards, are now in their 44th year.

Do you have a Norwich arts story? Email arts correspondent Emma Knights at emma.knights@archant.co.uk