By Ovio Peters
Simon & Schuster UK has named Peckham-born British-Nigerian writer, Abimbola Omisore, winner of its New Chapter award for emerging writers, securing her a two-book publishing deal with a six-figure advance. Her debut novel is scheduled for publication across all formats in 2028. The competition attracted more than 500 submissions, produced an 11-author longlist and a five-author shortlist, with the judges selecting Omisore unanimously. The four other shortlisted writers will receive mentoring from the publisher’s fiction team.
DECISION HIGHLIGHT
The award combines a major publishing contract with targeted mentoring, creating both a commercial opportunity for Omisore and a development pathway for other shortlisted writers.
DECISION MEMO
Omisore’s success illustrates how targeted publishing initiatives can connect underrepresented writers with commercial opportunities. The six-figure advance and two-book deal provide a route from literary recognition to sustained publication, although commercial success will ultimately depend on readership, distribution and sales.
Omisore, who writes commercial fiction featuring diverse characters and love stories, described the award as recognition of a long-held ambition. “It has been a lifelong dream of mine to be a writer, to create stories with real characters, real emotions, and a love you can’t help but root for,” she said. She added that the award was “highlighting that writing doesn’t just have to be a dream for people who look like me.”
Sabah Khan, Simon & Schuster UK’s Publicity Director and the award’s initiator, said the volume and quality of submissions from writers of underrepresented backgrounds demonstrated “a real desire for these stories to be published.” She also expressed pride in welcoming Omisore to the publisher.
Nancy Adimora, literary agent at Andrew Nurnberg Associates and one of the judges, described Omisore’s novel as “beautifully executed and deeply satisfying”. Adimora said she had been prepared to advocate strongly for the manuscript before the other judges reached the same conclusion unanimously.
The award’s broader significance lies in its two-part structure: a substantial publishing commitment for the winner and mentoring for the remaining shortlisted writers. This creates opportunities beyond a single contract, though the long-term impact will depend on whether the initiative translates recognition into sustained careers and commercially viable books.
DATA BOX
- Submissions: More than 500.
- Longlist: 11 writers.
- Shortlist: Five writers.
- Winner: Abimbola Omisore.
- Publishing agreement: Two books with a six-figure advance.
- Debut publication: 2028, across all formats.
- Other shortlisted writers: Four to receive mentoring from Simon & Schuster UK’s fiction team.
WHO WINS / WHO LOSES
Winners: Omisore gains a major publishing opportunity; the four other shortlisted writers receive professional mentoring; Simon & Schuster UK gains an opportunity to develop new commercial fiction.
Potential losers: Writers outside the shortlist remain without the award’s direct benefits. The competition’s wider effect on publishing access is not yet established.
POLICY SIGNALS
Targeted literary awards can create structured routes into publishing, but their impact should be assessed through subsequent contracts, publication outcomes and career progression.
INVESTOR SIGNAL
The two-book deal represents a commercial commitment to Omisore’s work. Sales, reader demand and the performance of the debut novel will help determine the value of that commitment.
RISK RADAR
A six-figure advance does not guarantee commercial success. The key uncertainties are readership, sales performance, distribution and whether the award’s wider mentoring programme produces lasting opportunities for emerging writers.
Ovio Peters is a journalist, reporting on arts, creative economy, business, policy and economic developments through a sharp and analytical lens.
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