Narjas Zatat was born in Hungary to an Algerian dad and a Greek mum. When she moved to London at the age of eight, the question ‘Where are you from?’ became a bit of an existential crisis. As a child, she tried to understand her identity by writing stories. As an adult and journalist, she continues to write with a passion for diverse stories. Narjas is our FAB 2021 Text Prize Winner. Her epic YA fantasy submission, Djinn-touched, was described by the judges as ‘engaging, sumptuous and magical. Narjas is an incredibly talented storyteller with the potential to be a true writing star. The decision was unanimous.’

An amateur geek and professional daydreamer, Ben Williams discovered that writing middle-grade fiction came easily to someone who never quite grew up. He studied English Literature at Queen Mary University and has since gone on to work in publishing and the arts sector. His work has been shortlisted for the 2021 WriteMentor Novel-in-Development Award and the PRH WriteNow 2021 editorial programme, and he hopes one day that young readers will be able to enjoy his daft adventures.

Shirley Hottier is a French Edinburgh-based freelance illustrator and urban designer. She has a passion for promoting diversity as a way to celebrate her multiple cultures, through the warm, lively scenes and characters she crafts. With a dash of humour, she designs her illustrations as captures of the small moments that make life beautiful. She specialises in digital art, incorporating a rich palette of vivid and bold colours, soft sketches and textures.

Samareh Azadi was born and grew up in Iran and this has been a source of inspiration throughout her work. She is inspired by the geometrical shapes, textures, and patterns in Iranian art. As a Baha’i woman in Iran, Samareh experienced discrimination which has formed her feelings and fields of interest in creating picture books. Samareh has recently completed a Masters in Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art.

Mariesa Dulak was born in Yorkshire of dual heritage (Barbadian/White British). Her Dad taught her how to hold a cricket bat, prune roses and master long division while her Mum fed her a nutritious diet of Fairy tales, Pam Ayres and Yorkshire puddings. A love of bookish things led to a degree in English Literature, an MA in Children’s Literature and a career in publishing. The GEA helped Mariesa turn her scribbles into stories – she now writes picture books about identity and family life. Mariesa is a freelance Marketing Consultant and lives with her family in West London. She is now represented by Gill McLay at Bath Literary Agency and has a three book deal with Faber.

Janelle is an author and fully-fledged gamer. Having started writing and querying at only sixteen years-old, she joined JULA in her early twenties. After graduating from Royal Holloway University with a Criminology and Sociology degree, Janelle moved back home to London, and began writing middle-grade fantasy. In her free time, you can find her holed-up in her room, gaming and watching anime (some of her favourites being Inuyasha, Dragon Ball Z and Death Note), or attending numerous comic cons and gaming events. Her FAB Prize winning story was acquired by Faber in a major auction.

Ngadi Smart, who was awarded first place for the illustration prize, is motivated by the representation of minorities, cultural identity and gender roles within her art. Judges described her submission as ‘wonderfully arresting portraits with an astonishing degree of dynamism and energy to both the figures themselves and the vibrant spaces they inhabit. We love the effervescent colour palette and know Ngadi has a big future ahead of her’.

Akhran Girmay, a Bristol-based illustrator who uses a mixture of fantasy and folktales within his illustrations, was awarded second place for the illustration prize. Both illustration winners have been signed for upcoming publications with Faber. Akhran is set to illustrate a new edition of Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely‘s bestselling YA novel, All American Boys.

The judges said of Nadia’s We Are The Dead, ‘Nadia Attia is an urgent new voice for YA, arresting and absorbing, the storytelling felt effortless.’ 

Represented by John Baker (Bell Lomax Moreton).

The judges said of Ayesha’s A Girl Called Forest, ‘Ayesha Braganza has a purity of voice and vision we found bewitching. Poignant but humorous, and most of all, thrilling.’ 

Represented by Philippa Milnes-Smith (The Soho Agency‏).

Of Sarah’s work, the judges said, ‘Sarah Christou has a gorgeously confident line, upbeat and modern but classic too, with a nod to Nick Sharratt but clearly in a league of her own.’ 

Represented by Alice Williams (Alice Williams Literary Agency).

Of Simji’s work, the judges said, ‘Simji Park has a stunning texture to her work reminiscent of Maurice Sendak, and a stillness that gives it a unique charisma all of its own.’ 

Represented by Lucy Irvine (PFD).

Has co-written a screenplay/script for a TV series which has attracted attention from a BAFTA winning director and is now presenting to film companies for development.

Muj was also highly commended for text in 2017.

Illustrator of Who’s Your Daddy (Lifeway).

Olivia was also highly commended in 2017.

Represented by Lemonade Illustration Agency.

The judges described Reba’s writing as ‘a powerful and immediate piece of storytelling, vibrating with truth and rooted in a familiar context of family. We felt Reba was a writer who showed tremendous promise, originality and versatility’.

Represented by Alice Sutherland-Hawes (Madeleine Milburn).

The judges said of Maliha’s work, ‘Witty, idiosyncratic, confident – a writer that knows how to appeal to children’s sense of crazy, and to cater for those with a short attention span and the jaded!’ 

Illustrator of My Hair (Faber) and Llama Out Loud! (Egmont). Represented by Angharad Kowal (Kowal Stannus Agency‏).

Author of How To Be Extraordinary (Puffin), Never Show a T-Rex a Book (Puffin) and several other publishing deals. Represented by Lydia Silver (Darley Anderson Children’s Book Agency).

(Photo copyright: Charlotte Knee)

Author of We Are Muslim (Shiny Path Press).

One of the London Library’s Emerging Writers. Programme Manager for National Poetry Day. Awarded the Arts Council England DYCP grant.

Author of debut narrative non-fiction Amazing Muslims who Changed the World (Puffin). Represented by Polly Nolan (Greenhouse Agency) and granted a Society of Author’s award to continue her work.

Author of a middle-grade mystery, A Thud In the Middle of the Night, published in India by Mango, DC Books.

Illustrated Galileo (Les Petits Platons), Illustrators Annual 2019 (Maurizio Corraini) and Cherry Moon (ZazaKids Books). Was selected for the Bologna Fiere 2018 exhibition, shortlisted for the V&A awards in the student category and longlisted for the House of Illustration/Folio Society Book Illustration Competition.

Of Rohan’s work, the judges said, ‘Rohan Agalawatta’s story was funny, atmospheric, and self-assured, with a charm all of its own. The setting and characterisation was very strong. A combination of pacy storytelling, super dialogue and laconic humour made for an extremely engaging, witty text, starring a boy called Odel and a deadpan talking yeti.’ 

Author of Afraid of the Dark (Little Tiger Press). Illustrator for CLPE’s Reflecting Realities Survey, 2019. Represented by Alice Sutherland-Hawes (ASH Literary).

Of Ramsey’s work, the judges said, ‘The dialogue was bursting with life and humour, and was pitch perfect. The humour, tone and voice made for a poignant but age appropriate text about the author’s own experience of coming to the UK as an asylum seeker.’ 

Of Cindy’s work, the judges said, ‘A gentle, magical colour palette moderated by strong, confident lines and a lovely sense of movement. Cindy’s eye for design, facial expression and humour made for a very strong 2nd prize winner. Her work stood out for its ability to tell a story.’ 

Author of When Life Gives You Mangoes (Pushkin Press).
Represented by Alice Sutherland-Hawes (Madeleine Milburn).

Written short story commissions for BBC Schools Radio, AQUILA children’s magazine and The Big Think schools programme.  

Author of My Hair (Faber). Represented by Angharad Kowal (Kowal Stannus Agency‏).
(Photo copyright: Tevin Jordan Marquis).

Author of A Pocketful of Stars (Egmont) and contributing writer of A Change is Gonna Come (Stripes). Represented by Claire Wilson (RCW). 

Illustrator of  How the Stars Came to Be (Tate) and You’re Safe With Me, You’re Snug With Me and You’re Strong With Me (Lantana), shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal and contributing illustrator of Ladybird Tales of Super Heroes (PRH).

Author of Remembered (Dialogue Books), longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, contributing writer of Ladybird Tales of Super Heroes (PRH). Winner of New Writing North’s Northern Writers Award for Fiction 2017. Represented by Elise Dillsworth (Elise Dillsworth Agency).
(Photo credit: Ian Robinson).

Former researcher for Lewis, ITV.
(Lewis images credit: Robert Day).

Associate Playwright with the Rifco Theatre Company with her play No Left Turns (showcased at the Bush Theatre in 2019) 

Writer of original TV pilot Hawkeye (top 15% in the 2019 BBC Writers room for Drama)

Writer of original screenplay Catching Rocks (a quarterfinalist in the 2018 Academy Nicholl Fellowship)

Adapted her book Love Thy Fro into a musical.
(Photo credit: Josimar Senior).

Author of Ghostcloud (Hachette) publishing in October 2021. Represented by Stephanie Thwaites (Curtis Brown). Winner of SCBWI Undiscovered Voices 2020 and a London Writers Award.