The Society of Young Publishers and The Publishing Post are delighted to announce our 2024 winners of the First Chapter Awards!
Our winners include a librarian using all the resources available to champion children’s books within the local community, a volunteer who supports aspiring writers, an editor who is passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices within his company and the industry at large, and a bookshop owner who made the leap into bookselling during lockdown.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the First Chapter Awards in its inaugural year, particularly those who nominated either themselves or another in the team. The team of judges from across the industry were impressed by the volume and quality of applications and the awards will return next year so please do keep an eye out for further announcements. A final thank you to the First Chapter Awards 2024 judges who handled the judging process with great care and attention.
Judges included:
A massive well done to our winners! To celebrate their achievements, there will be an awards ceremony and panel at the SYP London Conference 2024 where the winners will receive their prizes and discuss what the book community means to them alongside their future aspirations.
Our 2024 First Chapter Award winners are:
Children’s Librarian GLL Wandsworth (Roehampton Library)
CILIP YLG SE Chairperson/ The DBA 2024 Shortlisting Judge/ SPARK! Book Award 2025 Judge/ BBC 500 Words Judge
October Jones is a passionate and dedicated children’s librarian with a deep commitment to their literary community. Starting as a library assistant in 2023, they were promoted to Children’s Librarian by 2024. October transformed Downham Library with The Bigger Picture initiative, introducing the community to comics and graphic novels. Known for championing spooky books, October also organises borough-wide programs benefiting children, young people, and families, and regularly contributes to literary festivals and events.
Volunteer
Eiman Munro is a community leader passionate about preserving heritage and amplifying Iraqi voices. She co-founded Hidden Histories CIC and secured over £70,000 in funding for Iraqi writers in Brent. Eiman supports aspiring writers through workshops and publishing projects, ensuring their stories are celebrated for future generations. She also volunteers with her local library to deliver books to those with access needs.
Editor, Pan Macmillan
Ause Abdelhaq is a passionate book editor amplifying underrepresented voices. He has acquired impactful works, including Chris Smalls’ memoir, The Eyes of Gaza, and The Glass Cliff. Ause advocates for workplace inclusion, serving on Pan Macmillan’s RISE Network board, mentoring young professionals, and championing equal opportunities and fair wages.
Owner of Blue Sheep Books
Sorina Marinescu is the founder of Blue Sheep Books in Wednesbury, where she turned her passion for reading into a thriving community hub. After leaving her stable job during the pandemic, she started selling books online and opened her brick-and-mortar store to support those in a deprived area in the West Midlands. As a proud LGBT+ advocate, Sorina creates a safe space for underrepresented voices and provides opportunities for local youth through work experience and affordable books for schools, believing that access to literature is essential for all children.