Now in its second year, the GLL Literary Foundation has selected 20 children’s authors from across the UK to receive bursary placements for 2026 worth up to £4,000 each.

The Foundation was established in November 2024 to support children’s authors, inspire young readers and champion public libraries. It brings together writers, librarians and communities from across Bromley, Dudley, Greenwich, Lincolnshire and Wandsworth, areas where GLL operates public libraries under its ‘Better’ brand.

GLL is a worker-owned charitable social enterprise.

The 2026 GLL Literary Foundation authors are:

· Truly Johnston – Bromley – Chicken House
· Penny Chrimes – Bromley – Hachette; Firefly Press
· Venessa Taylor – Bromley – Hashtag Press
· Abiola Bello – Bromley – Simon & Schuster; Hashtag Press
· Poppy T. Perry – Dudley – Fox & Ink Books
· Donna David – Dudley – Oxford University Press; Pan Macmillan
· Siren Knight – Dudley – Usborne Publishing
· Clare Harlow – Greenwich – Puffin
· Ryan Crawford – Greenwich – Oxford University Press
· Nicola Kent – Greenwich – Little Tiger; Andersen Press; Oxford Children’s Books
· Auriol Bishop – Greenwich – DK; Headline Home
· Lisa Williamson – Greenwich – Guppy Books
· Luan Goldie – Greenwich – Walker Books
· Cheryl Diane Parkinson – Lincolnshire – Dinosaur Books Ltd
· Anne Miller – Lincolnshire – Oxford University Press; HarperCollins Children’s Books
· Lui Sit – Wandsworth – Macmillan Children’s Books; Knights Of Media
· Eve Wersocki-Morris – Wandsworth – Little Tiger
· Jane Porter – Wandsworth – Otter-Barry Books
· Iqbal Hussain – Wandsworth – Penguin Random House Children’s
· Ramzee – Wandsworth – Hachette

Entries were assessed by a board of trustees drawn from GLL libraries, children’s librarians and the publishing world.

Each author will receive a £750 bursary alongside in kind professional development support valued at up to £4,000. Authors are paired with a dedicated librarian mentor who helps shape events, develop school and community partnerships and introduce opportunities with booksellers, festivals and local organisations. Specialist training in branding, marketing and business skills supports authors to build sustainable careers while sharing their stories with young readers.

Through author visits, workshops and community events, the Foundation helps children discover the enjoyment of reading and develop confidence as readers. Meeting authors and engaging directly with stories encourages reading for pleasure, supports literacy development and helps libraries connect more young people with books and learning opportunities.

Rebecca Gediking, GLL Library Services Director, said:

“Last year we welcomed an inspiring group of authors to the GLL Literary Foundation, and it has been wonderful to see the relationships that have grown between writers, librarians and local communities. Watching authors develop their confidence, support one another and bring stories to life for children has been incredibly rewarding. We are excited to continue working with our inaugural authors while welcoming a fantastic new cohort for 2026.”

Philip Donnay, Chief Executive Designate of GLL and Chair of the GLL Literary Foundation, added:

“As a charitable social enterprise working in partnership with councils, our role is to create lasting social value for local communities. The Foundation brings authors, libraries and communities together in a way that strengthens the literary ecosystem while delivering meaningful cultural impact. The energy and collaboration we saw in the first year makes us incredibly excited for what comes next.”

Joseph Coelho OBE, Patron of the GLL Literary Foundation, said:

“Meeting an author can be a life changing moment for a child. The GLL Literary Foundation creates those moments by bringing writers into libraries and placing stories at the heart of communities. Seeing authors continue their journey together while welcoming new voices makes this an exciting and important programme for the future of reading.”

In its inaugural year the Foundation helped 20 authors to deliver more than 60 events across libraries, schools and community venues, engaging over 3,000 children and more than 500 adults in reading activity. Authors developed new professional skills, strengthened networks and increased visibility for their work, while libraries reported new memberships and increased borrowing following events.

All authors from the 2025 cohort will now continue into a second year through the Foundation’s Alumni Programme. Having built strong partnerships with their librarian mentors and local communities, these writers will deepen their engagement, collaborate with new authors and help shape the future of the programme.

As part of the National Year of Reading 2026, the expanded Foundation will continue building partnerships with schools, publishers, festivals and community organisations to inspire reading for pleasure and demonstrate the vital role public libraries play in the UK’s cultural life.

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