Orion and David Higham Associates launch BAME writers project inspired by Carty-Williams

Orion Fiction and David Higham Associates (DHA) have joined forces to launch a writing project for writers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

The Space to Write Project, launched today (18th March) in collaboration with metro.co.uk and the Arvon Foundation, is searching for BAME writers “who have the potential to write the next bestselling novel". 

The project offers writing advice and insights aimed at demystifying the publishing process in a series of four online panel discussions run by prominent industry figures in April and May before submissions open on 26th May.

Up to four winning writers will be offered either a place on a five-night residential writing course run by the Arvon Foundation or, alternatively, a place on a five-day online Arvon at Home Writing Week course, as well as a two-hour Arvon at Home Masterclass delivered via Zoom. 

Inspired by bestselling author Candice Carty-Williams’ journey to publication, the project aims to provide time, space and access for exploring creative writing.

Jojo Moyes offered Carty-Williams her holiday home as a writing retreat, and she used the opportunity to write the first draft of Queenie (Trapeze), which won Book of the Year at the British Book Awards 2020. 

Rhea Kurien, editorial director at Orion said: “At Orion, we publish by our values that every story matters and are committed to ensuring that every voice is heard. We are thrilled to work with DHA to seek out the very best new voices from communities that are currently underrepresented in the UK publishing industry. We are looking for future bestsellers: for the stories that excite, engage and inspire us.”

The judging panel comprises Lizzy Kremer, literary agent and m.d. at DHA, Sareeta Domingo, Trapeze editorial director and editor, Mike Gayle, author of All the Lonely People (Hodder & Stoughton) and Natalie Morris, deputy lifestyle editor at Metro.co.uk and author of Mixed/Other (Trapeze). 

The first panel will take place online at 6pm on 4th April. The Space to Write Project is part of The Future Bookshelf, Hachette UK’s online creative writing community and open submissions platform for writers from underrepresented communities.

For more information, visit the project website.