Ink Book Awards and The Surrender Agenda
Last night I had one of those pinch-me moments. Although please don't pinch me even gently as I bruise like a peach. Anyway back to yesterday at the 2025 Ink Book Prize when the winners were announced at the beautiful Nomad Bookshop in London, hosted by prize co-founders Abiola Bello and Helen Lewis.
Now in its second year, the prize celebrates the brilliance and boldness of independent and self-published authors across the UK and Ireland. Categories spanned Adult Fiction, Children’s/YA, Non-Fiction, and Best Debut, with each title judged by teachers, librarians, bloggers, parents, basically those that love stories.
And the update which is very very exciting is that my book; The Surrender Agenda was awarded Third Place in the Non-Fiction category.
Seeing my name alongside such talented writers including Sunna Coleman, Charles Leon, Professor Daniel Springer-Spaniel and Ruth, Sunna Coleman, and more was both surreal and deeply affirming and inspiring. Writing can often be a solitary pursuit and to have those words heard, and recognised, is a gift.
For me, writing is something that I have been doing since I was little. It is more than simply stringing sentances together. It is about unravelling knots, connecting with myself, thriving with pain and pretty much going on an adventure. Living with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) means my body is constantly negotiating with pain, fatigue, and unpredictability. Some days, simply sitting at a desk feels like a marathon.
But writing? Writing is where I reclaim space. Where I get to say: yes, this hurts, and yes, I still create. The Surrender Agenda grew out of those truths. And learn I have, when to hold on and when to let go. And how to live fully even when your body doesn't want to co-operate.
Thank you so much
A huge thank you to the Ink Book Prize team, the judges, and everyone who continues to champion indie authors. Independent publishing is an act of courage and community. Evenings like last night remind me that we can do this, together, cheering each other on.
If you’d like to see the full list of winners (and add some brilliant new reads to your shelves), you can check them out here: www.inkbookprize.co.uk
Here’s to stories, to surrender, and to finding strength in unexpected places.
