British-Nigerian educator and author, Florence Olajide, has been named among the thirty-seven authors longlisted for the 2025 Historical Writers’ Association (HWA) Crown Award, which celebrates the best in historical writing, both fiction and non-fiction, published between 2024 and 2025.
The awards are divided into three categories: HWA Gold Crown, HWA Non-fiction Crown, and HWA Debut Crown, with twelve books longlisted in each category.
Published by Bookouture, The Stolen Daughter tells the story of a young woman whose life is torn apart when her West African village is raided and she is taken as a slave. This page-turner does not shy away from difficult issues and vividly depicts the experiences of women in what is now Nigeria.
A Nigerian educator and author of The Stolen Daughter and the memoir Coconut. Florence Olajide graduated from the University of Lagos with a BA (Honors) degree in Education. She previously served as headteacher of a large London primary school and was later appointed as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools in England. Currently, she runs her own consultancy, providing school improvement guidance to a range of educational establishments.
The HWA Crown Award shortlists will be announced on 15 October 2025, followed by the announcement of winners and the award ceremony on 19 November 2025.
Congratulations, Florence Olajide!
Sarah Adeyemo
Sarah Adeyemo, Swan IX, is a Nigerian poet, writer, editor, spoken word artiste and communication expert. The debut author of “The Shape of Silence”. She draws inspiration from solitude and experiences. She is a fellow of the SprinNG Writing Fellowship. Her works appeared or are forthcoming in Akpata Magazine, The Shallow Tales Review, The Muse Journal, The Weganda Review, Everscribe Magazine, Afrillhill Press, Poems For Persons Interest, TV-63 Magazine, Northern Writers Forum Journal, Eboquills, Rinna Lit. Anthologies, and elsewhere. She tweets @SarahInkspires.
