Continuing the Story: Welcoming the 2026 GLL Literary Foundation Authors
Over the past year, Books for Keeps has followed the journey of the GLL Literary Foundation as it supported its first cohort of children’s authors across Bromley, Dudley, Greenwich, Lincolnshire and Wandsworth. What began in 2025 as a commitment to invest in emerging writers and to champion public libraries has developed into something rooted in partnership, conversation and shared experience.
As we enter our second year, we are delighted to begin sharing stories again and to announce the 2026 GLL Literary Foundation authors.
During its first year, the Foundation supported 20 authors to deliver more than 60 events in libraries, schools and community venues. Thousands of children met authors in their local libraries, often discovering that writers live in their borough, know the places they know and sometimes grew up nearby. Those moments of local recognition have stayed with us.
At the centre of the programme are the Literary Foundation Champions. These librarians work closely with each author throughout the year, helping to shape events, make introductions to schools and local partners, and offer practical encouragement. Over time, those working relationships have become collaborative partnerships. Champions and authors have shared ideas, reflected on what works well with different age groups and supported one another as confidence grows.
Each author in the Foundation receives a £750 bursary alongside tailored in-kind professional development support valued at up to £4,000. This includes specialist training in branding, marketing and business skills, as well as introductions to booksellers, festivals and wider industry contacts. The intention is to provide space for development while keeping libraries at the heart of the work.
Much of what the Literary Foundation team has been doing in recent months has involved building on those foundations. We have continued working with publishers, festivals and sector partners to create opportunities for authors beyond individual events. Some of this is visible in industry gatherings or training sessions. Much of it happens more quietly, in planning conversations and introductions that gradually widen an author’s network.
All 20 authors from the inaugural cohort will now continue through a new Alumni Programme. Their relationships with schools and libraries have strengthened over time, and extending their involvement allows those connections to deepen. It also creates space for peer support as a new group of writers joins the Foundation.
We are pleased to introduce the 2026 GLL Literary Foundation authors:
Truly Johnston, Penny Chrimes, Venessa Taylor and Abiola Bello in Bromley;
Poppy T. Perry, Donna David and Siren Knight in Dudley;
Clare Harlow, Ryan Crawford, Nicola Kent, Auriol Bishop, Lisa Williamson and Luan Goldie in Greenwich;
Cheryl Diane Parkinson and Anne Miller in Lincolnshire;
Lui Sit, Eve Wersocki-Morris, Jane Porter, Iqbal Hussain and Ramzee in Wandsworth.
The new cohort brings a wide range of genres, experiences and creative interests. Over the coming months they will begin working with their Literary Foundation Champions, planning school visits, library sessions and opportunities to meet young readers within their communities.
For 2026 author Iqbal Hussain, joining the Foundation feels closely connected to his own experience of libraries, ‘As someone brought up in a large working-class family where books were seen as a luxury, I’ve been a lifelong supporter of libraries and the worlds they open up for children like me who couldn’t afford our own books. The year ahead will give me dedicated mentoring on building my author brand, developing school visits and meeting my audience, alongside invaluable writing and networking opportunities. Most importantly, it’s my way of paying it forward: doing what I can to champion libraries for young readers, especially in this National Year of Reading.’
His reflection captures something we have seen repeatedly over the past year. Libraries are not simply venues for author events. They are places connected to personal reading histories, and returning to them as a writer carries particular meaning.
In recent months, the Foundation has also remained active within the wider children’s books community. We attended the Inclusive Books for Children Awards in February, celebrating inclusive storytelling during the National Year of Reading. We were also pleased to learn that the GLL Literary Foundation has been shortlisted for Library of the Year at the 2026 British Book Awards. The recognition belongs to the authors, Literary Foundation Champions and library teams who have shaped the programme across all GLL Libraries.
Looking ahead, we will take part in discussions at the London Book Fair about how libraries and publishers can work more closely together to support authors and strengthen local connections with readers. These conversations build directly on what we have learned through practical collaboration over the past year.
As plans take shape across the boroughs, there is a sense of anticipation. Returning authors continue their work with growing confidence. The 2026 cohort prepares for first events and new introductions. Champions are already reaching out to schools and mapping out the months ahead.
We are looking forward to working with such an inspiring group of authors and to sharing more of their experiences with Books for Keeps readers as the GLL Literary Foundation continues into its second year.
For more information about the GLL Literary Foundation, visit:
www.better.org.uk/library/gll-literary-foundation
