Happy International Romani Day - come to the British Library tomorrow to hear me chair Dr Jo Clement Jake Bowers and Damian Le Bas in discussion and listen to the wonderful Romany Diamonds.

⏰Scholarship applications are closing soon for some of our upcoming in-person courses!

✍️Getting Started: Beginners' Fiction – Apply by 4 April
✍️The Salon: Developing Your Poetry – Apply by 7 April
✍️Writing Fiction – Apply by 14 April

Find out more👇
faberacademy.com/scholarship-pr…

Congratulations to all the winners - this is such a special award, coming out of the blue, often to writers who have been working quietly for decades. Another fascinating group of nominees to discover.

We are pleased to announce that the Novel Prize is open for submissions until 1 June. The winner receives $10,000 & simultaneous publication with us in the UK, @newdirections in the US & Giramondo Publishing in Australia. More details here: fitzcarraldoeditions.com/prizes/novel-p…

So Joanna Frank was the editor who bought my very first novel, Crazy Paving, thirty years ago (which, depending on your point of view either means she has excellent judgment or a lot to answer for). Either way, she’s great, and, Provence, what’s not to like?

Six books unified by an originality of voice, accessible, insightful, each one a masterpiece. May we present the first ever #WomensPrize for #NonFiction shortlist sponsored by Findmypast.

Huge congratulations to the shortlisted authors and our heartfelt thanks to the judges!

Thank you hope to see you there!

Come along to this, it’s going to be great.

Book now for Traveller Writers British Library. The glory of Gypsy, Romany & Traveller writers lies in their diversity & the shape-shifting nature of their journeys Louise Doughty, Jake Bowers, Dr Jo Clement, Damian Le Bas + music from The Romany Diamonds 9 April bit.ly/3IMBhLr

It’s a corker of a week for prizes, and here is the longlist for Jhalak Prize, always a spring highlight and this one is no exception.

I loved all nine books on this shortlist but I'm delighted that The Home Child has won - a beautifully written book that rescues a hard, hard life from obscurity, and shows that a poverty-stricken, orphaned child, shipped overseas, retains her inner life, her human dignity.

I couldn't be more proud to support National Literacy Trust and their annual Gala Auction is now live, should you be feeling generous. Their work really does change lives.

Delighted to be taking part along with DOROTHY KOOMSON | Bestselling Author Val McDermid Kate Mosse and many many more. See you there.

We were honoured to have you, Raine.

Good piece on last night’s BAFTAs here.

Well this is exciting. There are a couple of memoirs I loved omitted, but the range is terrific - books that have been highly praised and lots I hadn't yet heard about. Here's to this inaugural list, and like its sister fiction prize, may this award go from strength to strength.

Thank you. My little writer’s heart is willing to admit that this is better than any valentine’s card and any writer who begs to differ is lying through her coffee-stained teeth.

Two weeks left until the deadline for the Malorie Blackman scholarship! ✍️

Have a passion for creative writing? City Lit is giving away £1000 in creative writing courses for successful applicants, courtesy of Auntie Malorie.

Get writing folks!
citylit.ac.uk/malorie-blackm…