Announcing the London Writers Awards Judges 2027

Published Date: 13/08/2026

Announcing the London Writers Awards 2027 Judges

London Writers Centre is delighted to reveal the judges for the London Writers Awards 2027. The seventh year of the highly successful writer development programme will run from February 2027 to November 2027 for 12 writers of fiction for adults – literary and commercial genre fiction (excluding short story collections).

Applications are open from Tuesday 29 September to Tuesday 3 November 2026. The London Writers Awards application pack, which includes Eligibility Criteria, Terms & Conditions and FAQs will be available online in early September 2026 in text and inclusive read formats. London Writers Centre’s Bobby Nayyar will be running a free online seminar on Monday 5 October at 7pm for potential applicants.

The 2027 Awards will be judged by the author judges Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi and Leodora Darlington. The industry judges are Hellie Ogden (WME) and Sara Langham (DHA).

About the Judges

Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi’s debut novel The Centre was a New Yorker Best Book of the Year, a New York Times Editors’ Choice, and an Amazon Editors’ Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense. Ayesha was also contributing editor for the critically acclaimed podcast The Trojan Horse Affair by Serial productions. She has previously published short stories, reviews, essays, monologues, and poetry, and she has written for radio and the stage. Her second novel, Good Benny, is out with Picador in the summer of 2027.

Ayesha says: ‘The path to writing development and/or publication can often seem mysterious, daunting, and inaccessible. The London Writers Awards do the vital work of demystifying the process by supporting writers from underrepresented communities through a long and varied program. Community, feedback, masterclasses, and knowledge about existing opportunities are so very crucial not just in the early stages but throughout a writing journey, and it is wonderful that organisations like the London Writers Centre exist to help pave the way.’

Leodora Darlington is a writer from London with Ghanaian heritage. She received a distinction for her master’s in creative writing from Brunel University of London, where she studied under authors like Benjamin Zephaniah and Will Self. A Bookseller Rising Star in 2021, Leodora also worked as Publishing Director at Hachette Book Group and has published a range of bestselling fiction. Her debut novel, The Exes, is a Good Morning America, Grazia Book Club and Book of the Month pick, and one of this year’s most talked-about releases.

Leodora says: ‘The London Writers Awards is one of the most exciting awards going. Not many other competitions can claim to have discovered authors like Natasha Brown, Oisín McKenna, and Cecile Pin. They’re at the forefront of championing exciting and fresh writing talent and I can’t wait to see what the next year of the awards brings.’

Hellie Ogden is the co-head of the UK Book division of WME. She was shortlisted for Literary Agent of the Year at the 2025 British Book Awards. She is President of the Association of Authors’ Agents. She has been featured in the Bookseller Rising Stars List and was shortlisted for the Kim Scott Walwyn Prize. She represents a number of global bestsellers and award-winning writers across genres. She often speaks at writing conferences and mentors debut writers.

Hellie says: ‘It’s a real joy to be included as a judge this year. This is an award that has spotlighted some amazing talent, run with care and passion and a deep commitment to discovering gifted writers. It’s a real honour.’

Sara Langham is a literary agent at David Higham Associates, where she represents literary and upmarket fiction and non-fiction. She previously worked in TV and in community radio.

Sara says: ‘I am thrilled to be judging the 2027 London Writers Award. I have long been an admirer of these awards and the writers it champions. I am excited by the way it nurtures and develops wonderful new talent and am really looking forward to being part of the process in choosing this new cohort.’

The London Writers Awards is made possible thanks to a generous philanthropic donation by Sam and Rosie Berwick.

Please visit the London Writers Awards project page for updates.