Aisha Okorie Wins Writing Prize

Now in its seventh year, the Writers & Artists Working-Class Writers' Prize aims to break down barriers in an industry that can often feel out of reach for many. The award is judged by author Ashley Hickson-Lovence, who has spoken about the importance of moving working-class voices from the margins to the center of the literary conversation. Aisha Okorie's winning debut novel, "To Whom I Am Becoming," was selected from hundreds of submissions. The book explores themes of Black British motherhood, loss, and the challenge of speaking truth within systems built on silence. The story follows a new mother who, upon learning the man convicted of killing her best friend is up for early release, begins writing letters to herself to confront her past. The prize package for Okorie includes a £200 cash prize, a writing retreat, and mentoring sessions with author Ashley Hickson-Lovence and Dr. Emily Bullock of the Open University. Previous winners of the prize have gone on to secure literary representation and publishing deals, including 2023 winner Jon Doyle. The Foreword Indies awards celebrate the best in independent publishing. "The Nga'phandileh Whisperer," a novella by African Australian author Eugen Bacon, is a finalist in both the Fantasy and Multicultural categories. Bacon is a multi-award-winning author with previous wins including the Nebula, British Fantasy, and Foreword Indies Awards. The 2026 Libby Book Awards, which celebrate the best in digital books and audiobooks, are selected by expert librarians across North America. This year's ceremony was held in person for the first time. Winners included "Atmosphere" by Taylor Jenkins Reid for Adult Fiction and "Sunrise on the Reaping" by Suzanne Collins for Young Adult Fiction.