John Dean – Crime Writer

Caption: Some of the 2026 winners (L-R) Sarah Hunt, Italo Ferrante, Rhianna Frances, Beth Broomby, Carlton Rose, Shazia J. Altaf, Phoebe Walker, Jodie Matthews, Nate Black, Antony Dunn, Amelia Loulli, Narimaan Shafi and Kris Johnson. Photo by Rob Irish.

New Writing North announced the 27 recipients of its 2026 Northern Writers’ Awards at a ceremony at Northumbria University and all will receive a bespoke writing development programme, supported by a range of industry partners and professionals.
The awards went to:

Northern Writers’ Award for Narrative Non-Fiction

Désirée Reynolds (Sheffield)

Northern Debut Award for Fiction
Nate Black (Redcar)

Northern Debut Award for Young Adult Fiction
Rhianna Frances (Sheffield)

Northern Writers’ Award for Poetry
Antony Dunn (Leeds)

Northern Debut Awards for Poetry
Sally Baker (Yorkshire)
Carlton Rose (Manchester)

Hachette Children’s Novel Awards
Wendy Davis (North West)
Sabah Nawaz (Lancashire)

Great Northern Read Award
Sarah Hunt (Whitley Bay)

Charlotte Aitken Trust Awards for Poetry
Kris Johnson (York)

Amelia Loulli (Cumbria)

Charlotte Aitken Trust Awards for Fiction

Jodie Matthews (Stockport)

Phoebe Walker (Stockport)

Northumbria University Student and Alumni Award
Victoria Flemming (Newcastle)

Tees Valley Award
Shazia J. Altaf (Middlesbrough)

Tempest Prize
Lauren C. Maltas (Manchester)

Sid Chaplin Award
Alison Armstrong (Lancaster)

Finchale Award for Short Fiction
Narimaan Shafi (Sheffield)

Northern Promise TLC Awards
Italo Ferrante (Manchester)
Grey Marlow (Manchester)

Arvon Award
Beth Broomby (Cumbria)

Young Northern Writers’ Award: Winner (11-14)
Anya Adnan (Newcastle)

Young Northern Writers’ Award: Highly Commended (11-14)
Chidimma Nnadi (Altrincham)

Young Northern Writers’ Award: Winner (15-18)
Nathan Graham (Rotherham)

Young Northern Writers’ Award: Highly Commended (15-18)
Jessie Morris (Durham)

Matthew Hale Award

Juneau Atkinson (Gateshead)

Eva Ibbotson Award

Hidayate (Newcastle)