Libraro Prize interview with Elly Griffiths

On the 19th January 2026 it was announced that award winning crime writer Elly Griffiths would be one of the judges for the new literary reader lead prize that was announced.  The prize is a partnership between Libraro and Hachette.

In an interview Elly agreed to talk about the prize, why she was delighted to be a judge and what she was looking for in the submissions.

Ayo:           Why did you agree to become a judge?

Elly:           As you know I am a former Editorial Director before I started writing my own novels and I have been very aware of the current barriers and difficulties that one sees within traditional publishing. I agreed to be a judge because not only did it appeal to me, but it is a publishing first.  I also see it as a practical way of getting published and also engaging with writers. The prize is a way of demystifying publishing and a way of finding not only new voices but also underrepresented books.

Ayo:               How important is the fact that it is a reader lead prize?

Elly:               It is very important because writers are also readers and it helps to break down the barriers between authors and readers.

Ayo:               Do such competitions matter?

Elly:               Very much so.  They matter as it is another way of writers getting their books in front of publishers and having a possible chance of being published. It is another way of encouraging writers to finish the books that they have started. Furthermore, not only is the prize democratic as in anyone can enter), but the shortlisted books will also receive support.

Ayo:              Are there any boundaries?

Elly:               No there are not. Everyone is welcome and we are quite open to fresh voices.

Ayo:       What are the key elements that you are looking for from the  submissions?

Elly:           Voice is very important so I am looking for a voice that will surprise me and is unheard.  A very authentic and genuine voice. Anything open, convincing and new. Publishing is a business, so the book also has to be marketable as well and be able to stand on its own merits. The story is important as well; it has to sing and to be warm.

Ayo:               What do you look for in an award-winning book?

Elly:           As already mentioned, voice, a fresh voice, a different voice and point of view. Emotion and or something that makes me laugh and also a book that challenges pre-conceptions.

Ayo:-            What would be your top tip for anyone entering the competition

Elly;            Read the guidelines and follow them carefully. Don’t second guess yourself. Be confident.  Remember that you are the one making the offer so don’t be too humble. Think of how you would sell your book. Think of an ‘elevator pitch’. Believe in your writing.

The winner package includes £50,000 from Libraro (a £30,000 prize and £20,000 towards the marketing of the finished book), and a book deal with Hachette UK. Meanwhile, two Reader Prizes worth £10,000 will be also awarded: one for the reader who refers the winning author to the platform, and the other for the reader who engages most actively with the writers’ submissions.

The shortlist will be announced on Tuesday 21st April 2026, with the overall winner announced on Wednesday 13th May 2026. 

In addition to its partnerships with Hachette UK and LoveReading, The Libraro Prize is supported by a range of organisations that share its aims to democratise reading and writing, and to recognise the importance of building community and connection. They are: Exiled Writers Ink, Frontline, Club, London Writers’ Salon, NAWE, New Writing North, Pen to Print, The Reading Agency, Writers & Artists and Writing West Midlands.

 

 

Britains’s Biggest Crime Prize Searches For The Next Bestselling Writer of Colour

 

The Joffe Books Prize is looking for a talented new crime fiction writer of colour, with one of the UK’s largest literary prizes for the winner.

This year the Joffe Books Prize judging panel includes A.A. Chaudhuri, bestselling author of She’s Mine, and literary agent Gyamfia Osei from Andrew Nurnberg Associates.

The prize invites submissions from unagented authors from Black, Asian, Indigenous and minority ethnic backgrounds writing in crime fiction genres including: electrifying psychological thrillers, cosy mysteries, gritty police procedurals, twisty chillers, unputdownable suspense mysteries and shocking domestic noirs.

The winner will be offered a prize package consisting of a two-book publishing deal with Joffe Books, a £1,000 cash prize, and a £25,000 audiobook offer from Audible for the first book.

The submission period ends at midnight on 30 September 2024.

HOW TO ENTER

Entrants are invited to submit their full-length manuscript, written in English, along with a synopsis of the book and author biography, to prize@joffebooks.com.

This prize is open to UK residents and British citizens (including those living abroad) only. The opening date for entries is 15 May 2024. The competition closes 30 September 2024, 23.59 GMT. No entries received outside this period will be accepted.

Read the full Terms & Conditions here.

ABOUT THE PRIZE

The winner will be offered a prize package consisting of the following: a two-book publishing contract with Joffe Books on its standard author agreement terms; a £1,000 cash prize; a two-year membership to the Society of Authors; a £25,000 audiobook contract with Audible for the first book. The prize is a package and can only be accepted in its entirety.

The prize will be offered to the selected winner. Joffe Books may choose an alternative winner if acceptance is not confirmed within one week.

Northumberland-based Christie J. Newport won the inaugural prize in 2021, followed by Sam Genever in 2022 and Renita D’Silva in 2023. Christie’s winning entry and debut novel, The Raven’s Mark, is available online and in all good bookshops now!

THE JUDGES

The 2024 judges are A.A. Chaudhuri, Gyamfia Osei, Emma Grundy Haigh, Jasmine Callaghan, Jasper Joffe and Kate Lyall Grant. The winner of the competition will be selected by these judges based on the quality and commercial potential of the work.

A.A.CHAUDHURI, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF SHE’S MINE: “I am so incredibly thrilled and honoured to be a Judge on the Joffe Books Prize Panel. Since its inception in 2021 this fantastic competition, which continues to go from strength to strength, has allowed a plethora of exceptionally talented writers of colour in the crime fiction genre to shine through, and I’m beyond excited to be a part of that process this year.”

GYAMFIA OSEI, LITERARY AGENT: “I'm delighted to be judging the Joffe Books Prize this year alongside A.A. Chaudhuri and Emma Grundy Haigh. The cohort of writers were brilliant last year so I can't wait to dive into the 2024 entries!”

EMMA GRUNDY HAIGH, FORMER EDITORIAL DIRECTOR AT JOFFE BOOKS: “The Joffe Books Prize, now in its fourth year, just keeps going from strength to strength. The prize is dedicated to amplifying #ownvoices and publishing truly excellent crime fiction. With Audible’s involvement, it is also the largest prize package for crime fiction in the UK. We have great plans for this year and the addition of Jasmine Callaghan as one of the judges is just the start!”

JASMINE CALLAGHAN, COMMISSIONING EDITOR AT JOFFE BOOKS: “I couldn’t be more excited to join the panel of the Joffe Books Prize. I feel honoured to be taking part in the competition, which is actively addressing the lack of diversity in publishing and amplifying underrepresented voices with real passion. I know this is going to be the best year yet.”

ABOUT A.A. CHAUDHURI

A.A. Chaudhuri is a former City lawyer, turned thriller writer. She is the author of The Scribe and The Abduction, featuring feisty lawyer Maddy Kramer. Her first highly acclaimed psychological thriller, She’s Mine, was named the L.J. Ross Book Club pick of the month. Alex lives in Surrey with her family. Besides being an avid crime fiction reader, she enjoys fitness, films, anything Italian and a good margarita!

ABOUT GYAMFIA OSEI

Gyamfia Osei represents an array of brilliant authors writing across adult and children's books, including Dean Atta, Busayo Mataluko and Frances Mensah Williams. She is a keen advocate of commercial fiction and, in the crime and mystery space, particularly loves cosy crime, domestic suspense and thrillers with a strong romantic thread. She is always looking for well-plotted, fast-paced narratives with authentic characters who lodge themselves in her mind long after she’s finished reading.

ABOUT JOFFE BOOKS

Joffe Books is one of the UK’s leading independent publishers of excellent commercial fiction, especially crime and mystery fiction. Joffe Books is renowned for working closely with authors from across the world to create fantastic books and turning them into bestsellers. Since 2014, Joffe Books has published more than 500 books by more than 70 authors and has sold over 10 million books. The publisher’s roster of award-winning authors and New York Times, USA Today and Amazon bestsellers includes Joy Ellis, Faith Martin, Robert Goddard, Rick Mofina, Volker Kutscher, Simon Brett and Stella Cameron. Joffe Books won Trade Publisher of the Year at the Independent Publishing Awards in 2023 and was a finalist for Publisher of the Year at the Romantic Novelists’ Association Awards 2023 and shortlisted for Independent Publisher of the Year at the British Book Awards in 2024 for the fifth year in a row.

While Joffe Books maintains open submissions for all authors, this competition is designed to offer an opportunity to Black, Asian and minority ethnic writers, who are particularly underrepresented in crime fiction publishing.

Penguin Michael Joseph Launches New Prize

 

Penguin Michael Joseph, an imprint of Penguin Random House, have today (Friday 23rd September 2022) revealed details of their new writers’ prize, following PMJ MD Louise Moore announcing that it was in the pipeline as part of her keynote speech at London Book Fair earlier this year.

The Penguin Michael Joseph Undiscovered Writers Prize aims to find new authors from underrepresented backgrounds who the division can bring to the widest possible readership. 

The inaugural prize (2022/2023) focusses on the crime and thriller genre, with budding writers being invited to submit tales of mysteries, crimes, jeopardy, action or adventure. 

The prize is aimed at unpublished writers aged over 18 who are currently a resident in the UK or ROI, and who are from a background that’s currently underrepresented in publishing – that includes ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, disability or socio-economic background.

Entries – which initially need to be submitted as a 200 word synopsis and 2000 word extract – will be judged by a panel of judges led by PMJ’s Crime and Thriller publisher Joel Richardson. 

He said,

‘We’re so excited to be launching this new prize, seeking out the brightest and best new voices in a genre I absolutely love. I hope it inspires people who have always daydreamed about writing a book to finally give it a go, and I also hope it plays a role in broadening the range of voices we see in crime/thriller writing – the UK’s biggest book genre.’ 

Joel’s fellow judges are: bestselling author Amy McCulloch; award-winning freelance crime fiction critic/commentator, moderator and blogger Ayo Onatade; Waterstones’ Head of Fiction Bea Carvalho; award-winning bookseller, owner of Goldsboro Books and MD and agent at D H H Literary Agency, David Headley, and Syima Aslam, the founder and Director of the Bradford Literature Festival - the most socio-economically and ethnically diverse literary festival in the UK.

The winner of the Penguin Michael Joseph Undiscovered Writers Prize will receive a publishing contract with PMJ, worth at least £10,000, and representation by the DHH Literary Agency. All shortlisted writers will also receive one-to-one editorial feedback and guidance from an editor or agent. 

Applications will open on 30th September and should be submitted via

https://www.penguin.co.uk/penguin-michael-joseph-undiscovered-writers-prize. All further details and T&Cs can also be found here https://www.penguin.co.uk/undiscovered-writers-prize-faqs

The deadline for submissions is 30th November 2022, and the winner of the Prize is due to be announced in August 2023.

Lindisfarne Prize for Crime Fiction

 

The Lindisfarne Prize for Crime Fiction (‘The Lindisfarne Prize’) is a literary prize which recognises outstanding writing in the genre of crime or thriller fiction, sponsored by the author L J Ross through her publishing imprint, Dark Skies Publishing, in association with the Newcastle Noir Crime Writing Festival and Newcastle Libraries.

More information can be found here.

Entries are open from 31st January 2022 – 30th June 2021.

THE AMAZON PUBLISHING NEW VOICES AWARD

 THE AMAZON PUBLISHING NEW VOICES AWARD

*** ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE 2021 NEW VOICES AWARD 

CAPITAL CRIME PRESENTS THE AMAZON PUBLISHING NEW VOICES AWARD

Capital Crime is running an exciting new competition, sponsored by Amazon Publishing, to discover new voices in the crime and thriller fiction community, and to further their writing careers.

The Amazon Publishing New Voices Award is now open! Submit the first 3 chapters of your unpublished novel & be in with the chance to win a £1000 prize, along with a potential publication offer from Thomas & Mercer For full T&Cs & to enter go here.

Joffe Books Prize for Crime Fiction Writers of Colour

 

Joffe Books, in conjunction with bestselling crime writer Dorothy Koomson and literary agent Susan Yearwood, is seeking to discover a new crime fiction writer to join our bestselling list. We are launching a new writing prize for unagented crime fiction writers of colour to turn their fantastic manuscripts into bestsellers. The winner will receive a two-book publishing contract with Joffe Books. 

The competition aims to champion authors from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds writing in one of our favourite crime fiction genres: electrifying psychological thrillers, cosy mysteries, gritty police procedurals, twisty chillers, unputdownable suspense mysteries, shocking domestic noirs . . . 

Whether you are writing your crime fiction debut, previously published or self-published, if you are an unagented crime fiction writer of colour, we want to hear from you! 

DOROTHY KOOMSON, BESTSELLING CRIME WRITER, says: “I think crime fiction in all its glory could really benefit from more stories by traditionally underrepresented writers out there. This competition is one way of doing that. I’m so excited to be a judge on this and can’t wait to read the submissions.” 

SUSAN YEARWOOD, SUSAN YEARWOOD AGENCY says: “Joffe Books is one of the most innovative and inclusive-thinking digital publishers in publishing today and I am pleased to be asked to judge Joffe’s inaugural competition to find a great crime writer. I have long been a fan of Black, Asian and minority ethnic writers in this genre and I look forward to meeting big talent in crime writing.”

EMMA GRUNDY HAIGH, JOFFE BOOKS says: “We are very excited to launch this competition. If we are to create meaningful, long-lasting change within our industry, it is not enough to claim to have an open-door policy. It is our responsibility to actively seek out writers from communities that are underrepresented in our genre and support them in building sustainable careers. I can’t wait to discover the fantastic writers that enter this competition and get their work to the hands of readers.” 

THE PRIZE 

The winner will receive a two-book publishing contract with Joffe Books. 

HOW TO ENTER

Entrants are invited to submit their full-length manuscript, written in English, along with a synopsis of the book and author biography, to prize@joffebooks.com. 

The opening date for entries is 1 May 2021. The closing date for entries is 30 September 2021 23.59 p.m. GMT. No entries received after this date will be accepted. 

THE JUDGES 

All submissions will be read and judged by the Joffe Books team, Dorothy Koomson and Susan Yearwood from Susan Yearwood Agency. The winner of the competition will be selected by these judges based on their work’s quality and commercial potential. 

ABOUT JOFFE BOOKS 

Joffe Books is one of the UK’s leading independent publishers of excellent commercial fiction, especially crime and mystery fiction. We are renowned for working closely with authors from across the world to create fantastic books and turning them into bestsellers. Since 2014, we have published more than 500 books by over 70 authors, sold over 10 million books and been shortlisted for Independent Publisher of the Year twice (including in 2021!). Our roster of award-winning authors and New York Times, USA Today and Amazon bestsellers includes Joy Ellis (currently up for Crime & Thriller Book of the Year), Faith Martin, Robert Goddard, Rick Mofina and Stella Cameron. 

While Joffe Books maintains open submissions for all authors, this competition is designed to offer an exclusive opportunity to Black, Asian and minority ethnic writers, who are particularly underrepresented in crime fiction publishing. 

ABOUT DOROTHY KOOMSON 

Dorothy Koomson is an award-winning, global bestselling author of 16 Sunday Times bestsellers. She was featured on the 2021 Powerlist as one of the most influential Black people in Britain and appeared in GQ Style as a Black British trailblazer. Dorothy uses her platform to support new writers and recently launched The Happy Author podcast. Her latest paperback, All My Lies Are True, the follow-up to the ITV-adapted, The Ice Cream Girls, is out now. Her next book I Know What You’ve Done, is published in July (Headline) and available to pre-order now. 

ABOUT SUSAN YEARWOOD 

Susan Yearwood began her career in publishing in the early 1990s, gaining valuable experience at Virago, now part of Little, Brown Book Group and Penguin Books Ltd (Penguin Random House). Susan Yearwood Agency was founded in 2007, starting the successful careers of debut writers Kerry Young, shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award and Prajwal Parajuly, shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize. Susan now represents a wide range of clients who write everything from book club fiction, crime/thriller, YA novels, well-being and cookery.