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NOVEL
Cover of The Pebble Champion by Alan David Pritchard, a coming-of-age novel about a teenager overcoming grief and betrayal
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Literary awards and recognition received by The Pebble Champion novel
SPR Review Stars for The Pebble Champion

For Christopher Elliot, life—as he knows it—has ended. His mother is dead, taken from him in a tragic car accident, and he's lost his best friend, gone in a moment of betrayal. Now, he's forced to move to the Isle of Wight to live with the father he hasn't seen in a decade. Everything in his life, including his thoughts and dreams, is suddenly out of his control.

His only solace is the simple act of skipping pebbles across the waters of Shanklin beach where he competes to become "The Pebble Champion," skimming stones farther than anyone else.

This beautifully written, deeply emotional novel skillfully transports readers into the imagination of a gay teen desperately trying to deal with the death of a parent - providing a powerful and poignant look at what it takes to overcome profound loss.

Captivating and uplifting, "The Pebble Champion" is one of those human stories which will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

"An LGBTQ+ Masterpiece.

In a world eager for stories that both reflect and uplift, ‘The Pebble Champion’ stands out as a beacon of hope, resilience, and the enduring power of the human spirit."

​                                   Dave Smith, UK Talk Radio

WATCH THE PROMO VIDEOS

READER RECOMMENDATIONS

SPECIAL OFFER

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THE STORY BEHIND THE PEBBLE CHAMPION

Every story has a journey before it reaches readers. Discover the story behind The Pebble Champion, from the first idea and the original manuscript, through years of waiting, publication, awards and the unexpected twists that shaped the journey of the book.

Choose how you would like to explore the story behind the story:

1. Click the image below to open the complete YouTube playlist.
2 Select an individual chapter below to explore a specific moment in the story behind The Pebble Champion.

AI-generated image of key moments from The Pebble Champion by Alan David Pritchard

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR

I recently joined Zach Feldman on ZRadio Live to discuss the story behind The Pebble Champion.

In this interview, I share the inspiration behind Christopher Elliot’s journey, the themes of grief, identity, resilience and hope, and how a story that began as a manuscript many years ago has continued to find readers around the world.

I hope you enjoy listening.

Image of Zach Feldman's Interview with Alan David Pritchard
Interview with Alan David PritchardZach Feldman
00:00 / 19:03
IAN Book of the Year Finalist Alan David Pritchard The Pebble Champion
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Literary awards and recognition received by The Pebble Champion novel

ACCOLADES

"A spectacular coming-of-age tale."

Lisa McCombs, Reader's Favorite

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

THE PEBBLE CHAMPION SCREENPLAY
Read by professional actors. Quite possibly the highlight of my year. An amazing experience.

Follow The Pebble Champion on TikTok
@thepebblechampion

The Pebble Champion now available as a complete IB English B Teaching Resource.

Click the image for more details.

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Read my full interview with BookCypher about The Pebble Champion, its themes, inspiration, and Christopher’s journey through grief, identity and self-discovery. 

Click on the image.

The Pebble Champion now promoted on TweetMyBook.

Click the image for more details.

WINNER, FINALIST AWARD, 

BEST LGBTQ NOVEL,

READERS’ FAVORITE

INTERNATIONAL  BOOK AWARDS,

MIAMI, 2019

“A genuine highlight and an unforgettable experience.

Flew all of the way to Miami to receive the Finalist Award for Best LGBTQ Novel, 2019.”

The Pebble Champion promoted on Instagram

ON DISPLAY

AT THE MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR, 2019

“What an honour it was to see my novel amongst all the other winners at the Award Winners Book Stand at the Miami International Book Fair – one of the largest in America."

THE PEBBLE CHAMPION

CHOSEN BY DONJIAO BOOK CLUB IN SHANGHAI.

"I was genuinely touched and delighted to be the guest of honour at an evening hosted by the Dongjiao Book Club in Shanghai. They had chosen The Pebble Champion as their first read of the year and had the opportunity to ask me questions about the book and the process of writing it. It was a lovely evening, and a rare pleasure to be with so many people who had really enjoyed the novel.Thanks to all who provided snacks and drinks, reviews, smiles, and such warm company."

THE PEBBLE CHAMPION promoted on UK Talk Radio

The Pebble Champion: This radio advert was promoted 6 times a day on UK Talk Radio. 

THE PEBBLE CHAMPION

Featured in the Island Tribe Magazine

A terrific article about The Pebble Champion as featured in the Isle of Wight Island Tribe Magazine, 2024.

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THE PEBBLE CHAMPION

A B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree

MORE REVIEWS

"An emotionally charged story.”

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Faridah Nassozi, Readers' Favorite

CLICK ON EACH THUMBNAIL TO EXPERIENCE MORE OF MY SITE

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© 2026 by Alan David Pritchard. All rights reserved

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