We’re delighted to see Lucy Holland and Lynsey May on the ILX 10: Rising Stars of UK Writing list.

Created by the National Centre for Writing, and supported by the British Council and Arts Council England, the ILX10 list showcases ten exciting, dynamic, and thought-provoking early-career writers based in the UK whose work has the powerful potential to speak to and engage with global literary audiences.

Speaking on the list Head of Programmes & Creative Engagement at NCW, Holly Ainley, said:

‘This selection is intended to represent to our international community just how pluralistic, diverse, and globally engaged the UK literature scene is. We hope the list will act as a springboard for new conversations, partnerships, and projects for ILX participants and beyond. Teaming up with our fellow UNESCO Cities of Literature here in the UK meant we could draw on their expertise and geographical spread to ensure we created as distinctive and wide-ranging a list as possible.’

Lynsey May’s debut novel, Weak Teeth, was published by Polygon in May 2023 and her short fiction has been published in various journals and anthologies, including The Stinging Fly, Gutter, New Writing Scotland and Banshee.

Lucy Holland is the author of The Times bestselling, Sistersong, which was a finalist for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award and the British Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 2022. Her second historical fantasy novel, Song of the Huntress, was published by Pan Macmillan in 2024.

For more information on the ILX10 and the full list, click here.