Grow Your Story X THRIVE Writers Selected
HACHETTE UK’S THRIVE NETWORK ANNOUNCES TEN SELECTED WRITERS FOR GROW YOUR STORY INITIATIVE
THRIVE, Hachette UK’s network for Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage employees and allies announce its new cohort for the Grow Your Story initiative. Partnering with The Future Bookshelf and David Higham Associates, Grow Your Story is a writing support programme for unpublished, unagented fiction writers of colour.
The selected writers were chosen from over 50 submissions, which were scored by volunteer readers from across the network. Those with the highest average scores were sent to the panel of judges to form the final cohort.
The judges were authors Mike Gayle (Hodder & Stoughton) and Stephanie Yeboah (Orion), DHA agent Maddalena Cavaciuti, and Sanah Ahmed, commissioning editor for Orion – with the support of THRIVE co-chairs Nicole Thomas and Hennah Sandhu.
The ten selected writers will have access to a series of online workshops plus a mentor from both Hachette and David Higham Associates to work with them on their manuscript. Following this, all writers will be invited to an open day designed to demystify publishing at Hachette UK’s London office in Spring 2026.
Nicole Thomas and Hennah Sandhu, co-chairs of the Hachette UK THRIVE network said: “The quality of Grow Your Story submission was incredible and these ten romance writers represent the very best of over 50 applications. We spoke with the judges in depth about each shortlisted submission which showcased writers from across the UK, all of whom have varying backgrounds and levels of experience. THRIVE can’t wait to support the cohort’s writing journeys. We want to thank everyone who has given their time and energy to championing this initiative, particularly the judges, The Future Bookshelf and our THRIVE committee.
Judge Mike Gayle said: “What a privilege it has been to be part of this process and get a sneak peek at the exciting new writing talent that’s out there! I cannot wait to see how these very promising beginnings flourish and grow and reach the wider audience they so deserve.”
GROW YOUR STORY SELECTED WRITERS AND WORKS:
Sylvia and Eoin by Lokkei McBrinn
Sylvia Li returns to investment banking after years as a full-time mother and a difficult divorce, only to be assigned Eoin Donnelly, her former rival, as her new mentor. Back from a high-flying career in New York, Eoin is haunted by guilt and grief that he rarely lets show. As old wounds resurface and personal histories threaten to repeat, both must confront their pasts before they can truly begin again.
Unwritten Ending by Kiah Simpson
When nearly-thirty and newly-jobless Olive Gordon moves back into her grandparents’ house, she’s determined to rebuild her life. When her first love reappears with old journals, new boundaries, and a secret, Olive has to face her own fears about love, failure and the messiness of starting over.
Echo Chamber by Camilla Andrew
When Evelyn Finch, a sharp-tongued Black British writer with a cult online following, crosses digital paths with Ezekiel Ashcroft, a biracial American YouTuber known for his leftist hot takes and cinematic face, their online sparring spirals into an emotionally charged game of obsession, projection, and blurred boundaries. But as their connection moves from screen to skin, it threatens to unravel everything they thought they knew about love, power, and self-concept in the age of digitised intimacy.
The Space Between Us by Anna-Maria Poku
A swoony second-chance romance in which after four years, Angeline Grant runs into her first love, Remy Daniels on a stuck train. There’s nowhere to run or hide and in a matter of hours, Angie is forced to confront the story of the way they were and why they aren’t anymore. Ultimately, she has to figure out if the second time around, love is worth abandoning plans for.
Different Area Codes by Mayowa Agbabiaka
A dual POV contemporary romance story that begins its tale on a dating app, where Tolani’s best friend creates a profile and matches London-raised Tolani Adeniyi with New Orleans born, Isaiah ‘Zae’ Wright. Can their blossoming love withstand life’s troubles and the ocean that divides them?
The Space Between Memories by Evy Tam-Liu
Gifted therapist Leila has spent years healing people by erasing their most difficult memories. But when she meets Michael, Team GB’s Olympic diving star, she discovers something entirely new: she can’t see his memories. As she helps him rediscover his focus, she realises that the deepest connections are created with trust, patience, and the courage to fail.
Comets by Isabella Peralta
An idealistic bookseller and a pragmatic scientist meet at a train station in London — eight months before a comet is set to destroy Earth. They grow close over chance meetings and late nights across the city, talking about science, faith, loneliness, and belonging. But is it worth pursuing love in a world that might have no future at all?
Love in the Aire by Julia Hien
A Christmas romcom which follows a 17-year-old Vietnamese teenage girl who, after, failing her exams, has to spend Christmas with her estranged mother, Auntie and five chaotic cousins in Ireland. It explores themes of grief, found family, love and many firsts as well as the unexpected joys of the festive season.
Amarah’s Reverie by Daisy Akoto-Brobbey
Amarah Mensah is supposed to be perfect. But navigating the world of London’s elite, growing pains, anxiety, drama and complicated relationships is far more trouble than she realised. Caught between two worlds, social pressures, and the desire for a love that sees past her mask, Amarah must decide how far she’ll teeter on the line between ambition and self-destruction.
Lovers, Friends and Something In-Between by Jessica Chinegwu
After her brain-altering situationship comes to an unceremonious end, Dionne decides it’s time to put herself out there and start dating again. Told through a collection of short stories, Lovers, Friends and Something In-Between chronicles the dating woes and wins of Dionne and her tight-knit group of friends as they muddle through their mid-twenties. Their journeys each explore the chaos, questionable choices, and excitement of figuring out who they are and who they want to love.
