Nigerian writers Mohammed Babajide Mohammed and Adébòlá Ráyò, Ghanaian-born writer Efua Mills-Robertson, Kenyan-American writer Haki Kiiru, and Black-British writer Annabel Ashaley-Anthony are among the literary talents recognised at the 2025 FAB Prize, a UK literary competition by Faber Children, celebrating emerging writers and illustrators from underrepresented backgrounds.
The writers were among 22 writers making up the longlist and further recognised across the winner, highly commended, and commended categories of the 2025 FAB Prize.
The 22 recognised writers are:
Prize Winners
– Sheetal Kowalczyk — First Prize
– Jo Wozencroft — Second Prize
Highly Commended Writers
– Adébòlá Ráyò
– Annabel Ashaley-Anthony
– Efua Mills-Robertson
– Farah Rahman
– Haki Kiiru
– Kayan Murray
– Pamela Aculey
– Sanjyokta Deshmukh
– Tilly Humphrey
Commended Writers
– Alison Traboulsi
– Amalia Aguirre
– Angela Kar Yee Tsui
– Arune Holloway
– Ewa Loo
– JD Okoro
– Jitna Bhagani
– Michelle Anjirbag-Reeve
– Mohammed Babajide Mohammed
– Shilpam Moffett
– Yogesh Patel
The FAB Prize, established in 2017 by Faber & Faber, is a literary initiative dedicated to discovering and supporting emerging writers and illustrators from underrepresented backgrounds. The competition provides opportunities for new voices in children’s and young adult literature, helping talented creatives gain recognition and access to the publishing industry.
The 2025 edition saw Sheetal Kowalczyk emerge as the first-prize winner in the writing category for Leela and the Leap Day, while Jo Wozencroft received second prize for 23 Minutes.
Now in its ninth year, the FAB Prize has helped launch numerous literary careers, with more than 175 books by former participants published or acquired by publishers
Congratulations to JAY Lit contributor Mohammed Babajide Mohammed, as well as Adébòlá Ráyò, Efua Mills-Robertson, Haki Kiiru, Annabel Ashaley-Anthony, and every other writer recognised at the 2025 FAB Prize!
