A Night to Remember: Highly Commended at the 2025 FAB Prize Awards

I am still pinching myself! 20th November, I had the incredible honour of attending the FAB Prize award ceremony, and I am beyond thrilled to share that my middle-grade story, “Akosua’s Big Ideas,” was awarded Highly Commended in the text category.

The Magic of the Night

Walking into the ceremony with my sister by my side was a moment I’ll never forget. To even be shortlisted among such a talented group of writers and illustrators of colour was a win in itself, but to receive a “Highly Commended” recognition felt like a beautiful validation of Akosua’s journey.

The atmosphere was electric—filled with so much creativity, hope, and a shared passion for making sure every child sees themselves reflected in the books they read.

What Happens Next?

One of the most exciting parts of this recognition is that an extract of “Akosua’s Big Ideas” will be featured in the official FAB Prize 2025 booklet. This booklet is a curated showcase of new talent and is sent directly to agents and editors throughout the publishing industry. It’s a huge stepping stone, and I’m so excited for the industry to meet Akosua.

A Peek into the Story: Akosua’s Big Ideas

For those of you who haven’t met her yet, here is a little bit about the story that captured the judges’ hearts:

Synopsis:

Ten-year-old Akosua is a girl with a notebook full of “Big Ideas” and a heart full of ambition. Living above her family’s café, Chale Chop, Akosua doesn’t let sickle cell disorder slow her down—she’s too busy dreaming up her next masterpiece.

But when a massive storm destroys the local community centre, where Akosua gets her home school provision, her world is shaken. To save the heart of her village, she must come up with her biggest idea yet.

This is just the beginning for Akosua and her big ideas. If you’d like to be the first to read an exclusive extract of the story or follow my journey toward getting this book onto shelves, I’d love to have you along for the ride!

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Thank you to the FAB Prize team, the judges, and Faber & Faber for this incredible opportunity. And a special thank you to my sister for being the best “plus one” a writer could ask for!