Faber celebrated the opening of the 2023 FAB Prize for undiscovered writers and illustrators with a Faber Members FAB Prize alumni event last week, featuring past winners and now published authors, Janelle McCurdy, Ravena Guron and Sarah Christou.
The first of its kind in the UK, and now in its seventh year, the FAB Prize aims to discover and showcase new talent from underrepresented backgrounds, closing the gap between what is currently published and the reality for many families.
Now that the prize is open, aspiring authors and illustrators can send in text or illustrations. The entries will be judged by Faber’s Publisher, Leah Thaxton, Curtis Brown Literary Agent, Davinia Andrew-Lynch, Faber Assistant Editor, Ama Badu, and Faber Children’s Art Director, Emma Eldridge. This year’s guest judges include author, educator and broadcaster, Jeffrey Boakye, World Book Day illustrator and FAB Prize alumni, Allen Fatimaharan, and Ashley Thorpe, Senior Editor at Storymix, the inclusive fiction studio.
Alumni of the FAB Prize include many bestselling and award-winning authors and illustrators such as Tọlá Okogwu, Rashmi Sirdeshpande, Kereen Getten, Ngadi Smart, Aisha Bushby, Varsha Shah, Michael Mann, Akhran Girmay and Hannah Lee. More than 150 books have now been published (or acquired by publishers) from FAB alumni.
‘The opening of the FAB Prize is always such an exciting time! In the past, we’ve seen exceptional entries go on to become published books. I can’t wait to see the talented writers and illustrators we come across this year.’
– Ama Badu, Judge
The FAB Prize is proud to be supported by BookTrust and the AOI, both offering opportunities to FAB Prize entrants. The FAB Prize website is also a hub for aspiring writers, illustrators and publishing professionals.
The full entry criteria, terms and conditions and more are available on the prize website.
The deadline to enter is Friday 30th June 2023.