Writers and Readers Salon: London Writers Awards Edition

Book tickets

Date

Thursday 18 June 2026

Time

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Costs

£8

Location

Lala Books, 4a Grove Lane, Camberwell, London SE5 8SY

Please email for any further access needs here

Join us for an exclusive evening of readings and discussion to celebrate the return of the London Writers Awards.

The London Writers Awards is the leading writer development programme in the UK having helped to launch the careers of over 50 writers. In advance of the programme re-opening for applications, we’ll be hosting an event at Lala Books in South London with alumni of the programme: Adam Zmith (co-author of The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened), Ashani Lewis (author of Suckerfish), Emma Lowther (author of Fellow Creatures), and special guest Sufiyaan Salam (author of Wimmy Road Boyz, winner of the #Merky Books New Writers’ prize).

Each author will read from their latest works, which will be followed by a panel discussion about developing a career as an author with a focus on writers who are traditionally underrepresented in UK publishing. Please note that the paid ticket price includes a free drink (stock dependent).

About the London Writers Award 2027

Applications for the London Writers Awards programme 2027 will open in September this year. Sign up to our newsletter to be notified first.

Bursary places

We have 5 free bursary places available for writers on a low income. We define this as either earning on or below the London Living Wage and/or in receipt of benefits (e.g. Universal Credit). If you would like to request a bursary place please email [email protected] with details of your eligibility for a bursary by Monday 1 June 2026.

Access information

If you require BSL interpretation, and/or have other access needs please email [email protected] so we can accommodate you.

This event is made possible thanks to a generous donation from Sam and Rosie Berwick and sponsorship from ALCS.

Book Tickets

About Speakers

Adam Zmith

Adam Zmith

Adam Zmith is a writer and multi-format producer; his book Deep Sniff: A History of Poppers and Queer Futures won the Polari First Book Prize. He writes theatre shows, talks and podcasts, including Press Play Turn On which won Podcast of the Year at the British Podcast Awards 2024. With Tash Walker, they produced and hosted The Log Books podcast charting LGBTQ+ life in Britain as noted by volunteers at the helpline Switchboard. It won praise from the Observer, DIVA, BBC Podcast Radio Hour and Attitude; it was named Best New Podcast (Gold) at the British Podcast Awards 2020. They now run Aunt Nell, a company making cultural works from podcasts to events.
Ashani Lewis

Ashani Lewis

Ashani Lewis is a novelist and short story writer. She was a winner of the London Writers Awards 2021 in the literary fiction category. She was a recipient of the 2025 Somerset Maugham Award for her debut novel, Winter Animals, which was also the winner of the 2025 Betty Trask Prize. Her short story collection, Everest, was shortlisted for the 2025 Jhalak Prize. Both books were listed in Marie Claire’s ‘Best Books Of 2024’. Her third novel is Suckerfish.
Emma Lowther

Emma Lowther

Emma Lowther was a winner of the 2021 London Writer’s Award. She is a queer, neurodivergent, northern writer. She trained as a performer at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and now works as an actor, voiceover artist and freelance copywriter. Fellow Creatures is her debut novel.
Sufiyaan Salam

Sufiyaan Salam

Sufiyaan Salam is a writer and former animator from Blackburn. He’s working on several TV & feature projects, and co-wrote the short film MAGID / ZAFAR, premiering in 2025. Wimmy Road Boyz, winner of the #Merky Books New Writers’ prize, is his first novel.