Nigerian writer Ifeanacho MaryAnn Uchechukwu, British-Nigerian writer Ifẹ Grillo, Zimbabwean-Nigerian Namatayi Mavunga, Nigerian writer Esther Bamigboye, and African writer Lindsey Ogboko have been shortlisted for the 2026/27 Merky Books New Writers’ Prize, the publishing imprint launched by Stormzy’s imprint #Merky Books and Penguin Random House UK in 2018.
The four African writers were among 20 writers shortlisted for the 2026/27 Merky Books New Writers’ Prize, and the 20 shortlisted writers are:
- Natania Duhur
- Priscilla Mensah
- Ife Grillo
- Omoezi Ejimiwe
- Brittany Xu
- Maisie Thompson
- Namatayi Mavunga
- Ines Ladha
- Esther Bamigboye
- Safak Sameen
- Nicole Jashapara
- Maja Bayyoud
- Shehrazade Zafar-Arif
- Laila Ali
- Lindsey Ogboko
- Nelle Yaa Osei
- Abby Sarfas
- Chiedza Maruma
- Nadja Cristina Ferreira de Lima
- Ifeanacho MaryAnn Uchechukwu
The New Writers’ Prize is an initiative of #Merky Books, the publishing imprint founded in 2018 by Stormzy in partnership with Penguin Random House UK. The prize supports emerging writers from Black, Asian, and other minority ethnic backgrounds who live in the UK or the Republic of Ireland, offering them an opportunity to develop their work and enter the publishing industry. The winner receives a publishing contract with #Merky Books, while shortlisted writers benefit from editorial feedback, workshops and sessions with publishing professionals.
Congratulations, Ifeanacho MaryAnn Uchechukwu, Ife Grillo, Namatayi Mavunga, Esther Bamigboye, Lindsey Ogboko, and every other shortlisted writer!
