Sheena Lambert won Best Irish Language Film at the Galway Film Fleadh July 2025

Dublin-based screenwriter, playwright and novelist Sheena Lambert has won the Best Irish Language Film award at the 2025 Galway Film Fleadh for her debut feature film BÁITE, which premiered at the festival in July.

Set in the fictional rural village of Glanaphuca in the late summer of 1975, BÁITE follows Peggy Casey as she struggles to preserve her family's pub and the unity of her family. The story takes a dark turn when a body is discovered in the receding waters of a local lake, drawing the attention of Dublin Detective Frank Ryan. As Ryan's investigation intensifies and uncomfortable questions mount, Peggy's carefully constructed world begins to collapse, threatening to transform the Glanaphuca community forever.

The film's success at one of Ireland's most prestigious film festivals marks a significant milestone for Lambert, who adapted the screenplay from her 2015 novel THE LAKE (HarperCollins). As an established Irish writer, she brings a deep understanding of character and place to her debut feature.

Sheena Lambert is represented by Julian Friedmann for her books, screenplays and plays.

PASSIONTIDE by Monique Roffey nominated for the inaugural CARICON Prize for Caribbean Literature

PASSIONTIDE – the latest novel by Costa Prize winning author Monique Roffey (THE MERMAID OF BLACK CONCH) – was shortlisted for the very first CARICON Prize for Fiction, a new annual literary award honouring outstanding works by Caribbean authors and storytellers across the diaspora. The paperback edition of the book was published in the UK by Vintage in May, with an American paperback forthcoming from Knopf on 23 September 2025.

In their nomination statement, CARICON called PASSIONTIDE ‘a provocative tale of love, faith and rebellion,’ adding that ‘Roffey confronts the tension between institutional power and human desire, crafting a bold vision of resistance and liberation in a tightly controlled society.’

The awards were started to spotlight voices that explore the richness, complexity, and evolution of Caribbean identity and experience across four categories: Fiction, Poetry, Children’s Literature and Young Adult Literature. Also shortlisted for the Fiction award were VILLAGE WEAVERS by Myriam J.A. Chancey, A HOUSE FOR MISS PAULINE by Diana McCaulay, CASUALTIES OF TRUTH by Lauren Francis-Sharma and The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh by Ingrid Persaud.

Rights for PASSIONTIDE were acquired by Alex Russell, Editorial Director at Vintage (UK and Commonwealth) and John Freeman, Executive Editor at Alfred A. Knopf (US) with a French edition to be published by Memoire D’Encrier in 2027. Monique’s previous novel, THE MERMAID OF BLACK CONCH, was a worldwide success, winning the Costa Book of the Year Award 2020 and being nominated for the Goldsmiths Prize, Folio Prize, Republic of Consciousness Prize, OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature, the Orwell Prize and the Ondaatje Prize. It has so far been translated into fourteen languages, and optioned for film.

Congratulations on this latest accolade, Monique!

About PASSIONTIDE

Early one morning, at the close of St Colibri’s carnival, a young female steel-pan player is found dead beneath a cannonball tree. It is a discovery that will transform the lives of everyone on this small island.

As the days pass, this shocking event draws together four women. There’s Sharleen, a journalist with an eye for the real story. Her childhood friend Tara, a pink-haired, straight-talking local activist. Gigi, the ‘notorious’ founder of the Port Isabella Sex Workers Collective. And Daisy, first lady of St Colibri, who is haunted by a disappearance in her own family decades ago.

In a community in which women’s voices are often silenced and violence against them is overlooked time after time, the group soon find themselves compelled to speak out – and to act. But even they could never have foreseen the consequences of their courage…

About Monique Roffey

Monique Roffey, FRSL, is an award-winning Trinidadian-born British writer of novels, essays, literary journalism and a memoir. THE MERMAID OF BLACK CONCH won the Costa Book of the Year Award 2020, and was nominated for eight other major awards. Her other Caribbean novels, THE WHITE WOMAN ON THE GREEN BICYCLE and HOUSE OF ASHES have also been nominated for awards. ARCHIPELAGO won the OCM Bocas Award for Caribbean Literature in 2013. Her work has been translated into many languages and adapted for screen. She was a co-founder of Writers Rebel within Extinction Rebellion and she is a member of the Hard Art collective. She is also a Professor of Contemporary Fiction at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Praise for PASSIONTIDE

‘Roffey is channelling a woman story so deep and old it feels foundational to who we are and can be.  Raw and beautiful and in your face, this novel is a liberating read.’ – Julia Alvarez

‘PASSIONTIDE is a bold rallying cry of a novel. Vital, enraging and brilliant. I loved it.’ – Sarah Winman

‘Beautiful and important… By the end of this book, I was ready to join the revolution.’ – Safiya Sinclair

‘PASSIONTIDE has scale, politics and power – a thrilling read, I loved it’ – Sadie Jones

‘The best book I have read in years. It’s so wonderful: so rich, inspiring, funny, moving. A true chronicle of hope, in sisterhood, community, faith and men’ – Rosie Boycott

‘The spirit of carnival itself is in the writing. A powerful and electrifying novel’ – Jason Allen-Paisant

‘A vital novel that addresses a grossly normalised horror – it’s also fiery, funny and ferociously feminist, written with a singular rhythm and style, a beautiful ease.’ – Diana Evans

‘A raging, searing protest cry… A heartfelt novel filled with solidarity, love, joy, and moreover, unflinching honesty.’ – Courttia Newland

‘Riveting… Guided by its intricately drawn characters and razor-sharp characterisation, the novel captivates readers from its opening pages to its compelling conclusion’ – Roger Robinson

‘Once again, and with a terrific, lively cast of police officers, hookers, politicians, mothers, young women, old women, even the dead – Roffey lures you into her mesmerising world and spins an intricate, human story you can't wait to unravel. Yes, let’s smash the patriarchy!’ – Amanda Smyth

‘Roffey’s world-building power is evident on every page… Taken as a whole, PASSIONTIDE offers a devastating critique of the interrelationship between religion, sexism and colonialism… a full-throated campaign for change.’ – Kit Fan, The Guardian

‘The larger-than-life characters and at times ribald humour turn what could be a polemic into an exhilarating fantasy… Roffey’s use of Trinidadian English gives the narrative authenticity, particularity and lyrical energy.’ – Lindsey Hilsum, Times Literary Supplement

‘A masterful exploration of love, identity, and the complexities of human relationships.’ – Chaya Colman & Sophie Ezra, Glamour Magazine, ‘Best new books of June 2024’

‘Suspense-filled and simmering with anger’ – Francesca Peacock, ‘The Best New Fiction’, Mail on Sunday

Praise for Monique Roffey

‘Monique Roffey is a unique talent and most daring and versatile of writers. I never know what to expect and I’m never disappointed.’ – Bernardine Evaristo

‘Monique Roffey is a writer of verve, vibrancy and compassion, and her work is always a joy to read.’ – Sarah Hall

‘Monique Roffey has established herself as a fearless writer with her choices of subject and her visceral style.’ – Kapka Kassabova, The Guardian

RECIPES TO LIVE FOR by Sally Andrew wins a 2025 Gourmand World Cookbook Award

Sally Andrew’s delightful cookbook, RECIPES TO DIE LIVE FOR, has been announced as the winner for the 2025 Gourmand World Cookbook award in the Acknowledgements category.

The Gourmand World Cookbook Awards is one of the most prestigious awards in the industry. Founded in 1995 by Edouard Cointreau, on an annual basis, they honour the best food and wine books and food-related television. Participants from 221 countries and regions entered the competition with 1250 nominations. The winners were announced at the awards ceremony in June 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Other nominees in the Acknowledgements Award shortlist included: DOOR73 by Eric Ivanidis and Marcelo Ballardin (Belgium); QUININE REMAINS by Townsend Middleton (India); LOS FERMENTOS DEL BOSQUE by Andrea Martin (Spain); NOODLES, RICE & EVERYTHING SPICE by Christina de Witte and Mallika Kruppinen (Thailand).

RECIPES TO DIE LIVE FOR shares recipes from Sally Andrew’s popular Tannie Maria murder mystery books along with some new inventions. Quotes from the series are sprinkled in, with letters written to ‘Tannie Maria’s Love Advice and Recipe Column’, as well as photographs of the food and the beautiful Karoo peppered throughout the cookbook. RECIPES TO DIE LIVE FOR embodies Tannie Maria’s wit and warmth and is guaranteed to charm fans and newcomers to the series.

Many of the dishes are traditional South African and slow foods, but there are also quick meals and innovative recipes, from nachos to spekboom ice cream. Whether you are craving a Karoo lamb pie or sweet melktert or a syrupy koeksister, you’ll find something to discover and savour among Tannie Maria’s culinary delights.

The Tannie Maria murder mystery series was recently adapted into the acclaimed television series, RECIPES FOR LOVE AND MURDER with Season Two released earlier this year.  The series was also shortlisted in the Comedy Drama and Sitcom category at the Rose d’Or Awards and is now available to watch on terrestrial television in the UK.

Sally is currently working on the fifth novel in the Tannie Maria series.

About Sally Andrew

Sally Andrew is based in South Africa, splitting her time between the Klein Karoo where she lives on a nature reserve with her artist partner, and Muizenberg on the coast of Cape Town. She has a Masters in Adult Education from the University of Cape Town and has published several books on adult and environmental education.

Her first novel, RECIPES FOR LOVE & MURDER: A Tannie Maria Mystery was a Kirkus Best Book of 2015, A Wall Street Journal Best Mystery Book 2015, The Bookseller Fiction editor’s Choice 2015 and A Good Housekeeping Book of the Month. Her books are published in at least fourteen languages, across five continents. 

Praise for Sally Andrew’s RECIPES TO DIE LIVE FOR and Tannie Maria mystery series

‘RECIPES TO LIVE FOR features a delightful mix of recipes from the novels alongside new creations, all infused with Tannie Maria’s trademark warmth and wit. From slow-cooked Karoo lamb pies to quick weeknight meals, this collection celebrates the heart and soul of South African home cooking.’ –  Noluthando Ngcakani, news24, ‘13 must-try cookbooks to kick off 2025’

‘Utterly delicious, to the very last morsel.’ – Deon Meyer

‘Twists, turns, suspicions, ‘journalistic investigations’, agony aunt recipes – all falls into place, as expected. In a crazy world, Tannie Maria is the coziness you need right now.’ – Roelia Schoeman, The Life and Times of a Boozy Foodie, ‘Milk Tart Murder Mystery: A Book Review #RoeliaReads’

‘A host of secrets, leads, and recipes. Add a touch of drama, some suspense, and a charming love story, and you have the recipe for a winning story. … A true literary adventure with a delightful South African flair … an absolute joy to read.’ – Samantha Gibb, W24

‘Chock full of good food and interesting characters.’ – Kerry Greenwood, author of the PHRYNE FISHER and CORINNA CHAPMAN series

Visit Sally’s website

Follow Sally on X (previously Twitter) and Instagram.

Alan Parks’ WW2 trilogy curtain-opener GUNNER longlisted 2025 McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year

Ahead of its debut later this month, plaudits are already ringing out for Alan Parks’ new novel GUNNER – the first in a new World War Two-set trilogy – which has made the longlist for this year’s prestigious McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year. The book will be out in hardback, eBook and audio from Baskerville from 17 July 2025, supported by an array of events in both Scotland and England.

Already a winner of the prize, having scooped the 2022 award for his acclaimed Harry McCoy novel MAY GOD FORGIVE, this year’s longlist recognises Alan’s first foray into wartime Glasgow with wounded cop Joseph Gunner, as he is drawn into an investigation which threatens to bring the frontline much, much closer to home. He is nominated alongside fellow writers Lin Anderson, Tariq Ashkanani, Daniel Aubrey, D.V. Bishop, Heather Critchlow, Allan Gaw, Liam McIlvanney, Callum McSorley, Denise Mina, Ambrose Parry, Ian Rankin and Douglas Skelton.

The shortlist will be revealed in September, with the overall winner to be announced at the opening ceremony of the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival in Stirling, on Friday 12 September. Other recent winners of the prize include Chris Brookmyre, Callum McSorley, Craig Russell and Francine Toon.

Yassine Belkacemi, Editorial Director at John Murray and Baskerville, acquired UK and Commonwealth Rights (excluding Canada) for the trilogy last year, with translation rights quickly snapped up in France (Editions Payot & Rivages), Italy (Bompiani), Spain (Tusquets) and the Netherlands (House of Books). The multi-award winning Harry McCoy series – including McIlvanney winner MAY GOD FORGIVE – is published by Canongate in the UK and in the US by Europa, with translations available in France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and Sweden, and the Film/TV rights under option.

Congratulations Alan!

About GUNNER

March, 1941. Joseph Gunner is back on the streets of Glasgow after being wounded on the front lines in France.

Keeping the pain in his leg at bay with the help of morphine, Gunner, a former detective, is hoping to keep his head down as the Luftwaffe begin bombing Glasgow.

But when he runs into his old boss Drummond, he is persuaded to help examine a body found in the wreckage. When the body turns out to be that of a German, mutilated to disguise his identity, Gunner reluctantly agrees to investigate.

As Gunner begins to hunt for the truth he runs into old flames, bitter enemies, before finding himself embroiled in a high-level conspiracy that reaches far beyond his hometown of Glasgow.

Partly inspired by the true story of Rudolph Hess's secret mission to broker appeasement with Britain during WWII, GUNNER is an atmospheric and addictive new thriller from one of Britain's best-loved writers.

Credit: Kevin Thomson

About Alan Parks

Alan Parks worked in the music industry for over twenty years before turning to crime writing.

His debut BLOODY JANUARY was shortlisted for the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière, FEBRUARY’S SON was nominated for an Edgar Award, BOBBY MARCH WILL LIVE FOREVER won the Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original, the Prix Mystère de la Critique in the foreign fiction category, and was shortlisted for the Macavity Award for Best Mystery Novel and THE APRIL DEAD was shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year. The fifth Harry McCoy book, MAY GOD FORGIVE, was published in April 2022 and won the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year 2022. It was shortlisted for the 2023 CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award and longlisted for the 2023 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award. TO DIE IN JUNE, the sixth entry in the series, was published by Canongate in 2023, and longlisted for the 2025 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award. The Harry McCoy series is optioned for television.

Alan was born in Scotland and attended The University of Glasgow where he was awarded a M.A. in Moral Philosophy. He still lives and works in the city as well as spending time in London.

Praise for GUNNER

‘Great storytelling… I loved it’ – Peter James

‘Great stuff… a vivid sense of place and time and what a main character!’ – Ian Rankin

‘A lean, mean and ruthlessly readable thriller.’ – Vaseem Khan

‘A brilliant milieu, fantastic characters, an exciting story – in other words another typically great Alan Parks novel.’ – Adrian McKinty

‘A superb thriller with a gripping, constantly surprising plot.’ – Andrew Taylor

‘Transports you to the streets of war-torn Glasgow. A gritty, immersive, genuine page-turner.’ – Bridget Walsh, author of the Variety Palace Mystery Series

‘Pulls the reader in from page one. Wonderful, gutsy writing.’ – David Gilman

Praise for Alan Parks

‘One of the great Scottish crime writers’ – The Times

‘Tipped to become an enduring classic of tartan noir.’ – Sunday Post

‘Dark and gritty… Gripping.’ – Crime Monthly

‘A brilliant series’ – Sunday Times Crime Club

‘Bloody and brilliant’ – Louise Welsh (on BLOODY JANUARY)

‘Pitch-black Tartan noir: bleak, but with an emotional heart that's hard to ignore.’ – Daily Mail (on FEBRUARY’S SON)

‘Manoeuvring through the mean streets of Glasgow, the morally ambiguous, deeply flawed McCoy makes an ideal antihero.’ – Publishers Weekly (on BOBBY MARCH WILL LIVE FOREVER, Edgar Prize Winner 2022)

‘Altogether one of the best police thrillers of the last few years.’ – Morning Star (on THE APRIL DEAD)

Visit Alan’s website

Follow Alan on Twitter

Kat Lister’s beguiling exploration of art, FRAGILE BODIES, won at auction by Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Credit: Grace Gelder

Kat Lister’s new non-fiction book FRAGILE BODIES: Art Born of Bodily Trauma, exploring the impact of physical adversity on the lives of seven extraordinary artists who confronted and transformed their suffering into creativity. Jenny Lord, Executive Publisher of Orion Literary, won UK and Commonwealth rights in Kat Lister’s in a hotly-contested auction, from Juliet Pickering at Blake Friedmann. FRAGILE BODIES will be published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson in Spring 2027.

‘What a privilege it is to be delving into the lives of these extraordinary artists whose stories tell us so much about what makes us human,’ said Kat. ‘Using my own history as a gentle guiding hand, I am keen to delve into the complexities of this sensitive subject, its shadows and light. I can't think of a better home for Fragile Bodies than at W&N, under the matchless stewardship of Jenny Lord who has worked with so many writers who have inspired me over the years.’

‘Kat is a beautiful writer with the mind of a magpie and I was utterly seduced by her beguiling investigation,’ added Jenny Lord. ‘I am so looking forward to collaborating with her at W&N.’

Art can be a response to pain, a way of making sense of the body when it turns against itself. From Henri Matisse’s cut-outs, created when he was no longer able to hold a paintbrush or stand at his easel, to the fragmentary hope of Derek Jarman’s garden in the years he spent living with HIV, via the ephemerality of Eva Hesse’s tragically curtailed sculptural life, these stories illuminate the fragile interplay between the body’s betrayals and the soul’s resilience. Through biography, cultural criticism and personal reflection, Lister explores how bodies in crisis can yield unexpected beauty – and how art can offer resistance when words or medicine fall short.

Drawing on her own experience of illness and grief, as both patient and caregiver, Lister weaves her story into those of her subjects to ask: how does trauma influence the act of creation? What are the ethics of turning pain into art? And how do we understand creativity when the body becomes a battleground? FRAGILE BODIES is a meditation on vulnerability, resilience and the human drive to create meaning – even in life’s harshest moments.

About Kat Lister

Kat Lister is a writer and editor who has worked in magazine media for nearly two decades. She began her career as a music journalist and went on to specialise in global women’s issues, writing for publications including Vice, Vogue and The Feminist Times. She regularly writes essays, arts features and profiles for an array of publications including the Guardian, the Observer, the i paper, the Independent, The Quietus and The Big Issue. Her first book, THE ELEMENTS: A WIDOWHOOD, was published 2021 by Icon Books.

Praise for THE ELEMENTS

‘A vivid, painful but beautiful articulation of grief… a deeply moving and thoughtful book.’ – Sinéad Gleeson

‘It knocked me for six: the honesty in it, the frankness, the detail, the research, the feeling, and such stunning writing … it’s not just about losing someone. It’s about rebuilding.’ – Jude Rogers

‘A staggering book. Kat writes with such hypnotic lyricism.’ – Terri White, author of COMING UNDONE

‘Masterfully crafted… the author lays out her heartbreaking grief in poetic paragraphs that will stay with her readers for days.’ – Booklist

Follow Kat on BlueSky and Instagram