Mozley joins judges panel for 2019's Northern Book Prize

Fiona Mozley, author of Man Booker shortlisted debut Elmet (John Murray), has been announced as one of the judges of the 2019 £5,000 Northern Book Prize. She will judge alongside fellow writer Sarah Moss plus And Other Stories publisher Stefan Tobler.

Now entering its second year, the prize is for a previously unpublished novel by a writer based in the North of England. As well as the £5,000 cash prize, the winning author will secure a worldwide publishing contract with And Other Stories, including access to editorial support.

Last year's prizewinner, Amy Arnold's Slip of a Fish, is published by And Other Stories this week.

A media partnership with Big Issue North has also been announced, for 2019's prize. The prize is now seeking long-term sponsorship and partnerships from autumn 2018 onwards to help grow the prize's profile and increase its impact. In its inaugural year the Northern Book Prize was run as part of the Northern Writers’ Awards; however this is no longer the case.

Last week the Northern Writers’ Awards announced a new £5,000 prize for debut children’s writers who live and work in the North of England, The Hachette Children’s Novel Award.

Other recent initiatives launched to address concerns the trade underserves readers and writers in the north include DHH Literary Agency's forthcoming "Pitch an agent day" in York this December. Its aim is to find "distinctive and diverse" voices outside of the M25.