Libraries operator GLL has revealed the children’s authors who will receive bursary placements as part of their newly launched GLL Literary Foundation. The bursaries are worth up to £4,000 each.

As reported in BfK, the Foundation was established in November 2024 to support ‘up and coming’ children’s authors based in Bromley, Dudley, Greenwich, Lincolnshire and Wandsworth – all areas where GLL operates public libraries under its ‘Better’ brand.

Authors across all genres of children’s literature were encouraged to apply, including picture books, early readers, chapter books, poetry, non-fiction, novels graphic and verse novels.  Nominations were accepted from the authors’ publishing representative with the entry criteria stating that applicants be required to have published between one and three books in the past five years.

Entries were assessed by a board of trustees drawn from GLL libraries, children’s librarians and the publishing world.  The successful authors for 2025 are:

• Marcela Ferreira – Bromley – OUP UK
• Alex Falase Koya – Bromley – OUP UK
• Adeola Sokunbi – Bromley – Nosy Crow
• Alom Shaha – Bromley – Scribble UK
• Jesse Kaur – Dudley – Mantra Lingua
• Janelle McCurdy – Greenwich – Faber and Faber
• Sharada Keats – Greenwich – Scholastic
• Robert Pearce – Greenwich – Graffeg
• Hannah Moffatt – Greenwich – Everything With Words
• Rachel Cooke – Lincolnshire – Mama Makes Books
• Bethany Walker – Lincolnshire – Scholastic
• Helen Hancocks – Lincolnshire – Walker
• Nathanael Lessore – Wandsworth – Hot Key Books
• Fay Evans – Wandsworth – Flying Eye Books
• Olivia Wakeford – Wandsworth – Harper Collins Children’s Books
• Nadine Wild Palmer – Wandsworth – Pushkin Children’s Books
• Jack Meggitt Phillips – Wandsworth – Farshore

Each of the successful authors will receive £750 alongside additional ‘in kind’ support that includes being partnered with a local librarian mentor (Literary Foundation Champion), who will help deliver a series of author events and provide networking opportunities with local booksellers, publishers, literary festivals and schools.  Authors will also be offered three online training courses on brand identity, marketing and business planning.

Rebecca Gediking, Head of Libraries for GLL says, ‘We are delighted to welcome such a great and inspiring group of authors to be part of the GLL Literary Foundation. We look forward to bringing together all people locally and nationally to support our authors, encourage reading and champion public libraries.’

GLL Literary Foundation trustee, author Mo O’Hara adds, ‘I’m so excited that our first cohort of GLL Literary Foundation authors is being announced. This is such an amazing opportunity for them to learn new skills and gain confidence in so many aspects of our industry.  I hope that they’ll build up a great network with their librarian champions and also with each other.  It’s so great to have a ready-made support group in an industry with so many challenges.’

Alom Shaha, GLL Literary Foundation Bromley author, says ‘I’m delighted and honoured to have been awarded a GLL Literary Foundation fellowship. Growing up as an immigrant on a council housing estate, my local library, and the librarians who worked there, were a hugely positive influence on me. They didn’t just help develop my love of books, they also provided a safe place to play with toys and activities which I didn’t have access to at home.

‘I have gained so much from my use of public libraries throughout my life and I am so excited about this fellowship. I know I will gain a lot from the experience, but I hope there will also be lots of opportunities for me to give something back.’

Books for Keeps will be reporting on the development of this new initiative in future issues.