Writers in Residence 2025 revealed

Five authors have been selected to become Writers in Residence at a unique residential Library.

More than 150 writers applied for the opportunity to stay at Gladstone’s Library in Hawarden, which is the UK’s only Prime Ministerial library and a very rare example of a library with bedrooms.

Today, it was announced that the 2025 Writers in Residence at Gladstone’s Library are Caroline Crampton (A Body Made of Glass), Joanna Miller (The Eights), Selali Fiamanya (Before We Hit the Ground), Liz Berry (The Home Child) and Tawseef Khan (Muslim, Actually).

Joanna Miller, whose novel, The Eights, about the first women to attend Oxford captured the imagination of the judges, said:

“The award of a residency for my debut, which is yet to be published, has come as a wonderful surprise. I am very grateful to the judging panel for their endorsement of The Eights and look forward to using my precious time at Gladstone’s Library to work on my second novel.”

Caroline Crampton, whose book A Body Made of Glass provides a sensitively written exploration of hypochondria, said she was “absolutely delighted” to be chosen as a Writer in Residence at Gladstone's Library.

She said:

“It feels like such a vote of confidence in A Body Made of Glass and makes me feel excited for what comes next."

Selali Fiamanya’s Before We Hit the Ground is a powerful, continent-spanning novel that traces one man’s bid to find his place in the world.

He said:

"This is my first ever residency, and I'm so grateful I get to do it at Gladstone's Library. My next project is quite the challenge, and there's nowhere else that offers the resources, support, and sheer gorgeousness on offer here."

Tawseef Khan’s book Muslim, Actually mingles memoir and research to dismantle stereotypes about the Muslim community.

He said:

“I'm so delighted to be offered the residency. I so wanted to win but feared that this would mean I wouldn't! And to be rewarded for Muslim, Actually, a book that came out a while ago, and which I have moved on from in many ways, feels particularly special. I cannot wait to make use of the Library and its surrounding spaces!”

Liz Berry submitted The Home Child, a touching long-form narrative poem about a real orphan girl’s experience of being shipped off to Canada to work.

She said:

“What a gift to be given a residency at Gladstone’s Library: a rare gift of precious time and quiet to write, in one of the places I love the most. I can’t wait to be inspired and to begin work on new poems.

“This offer is such a joy for me and I’m very grateful to Gladstone’s Library for making the residency accessible. When we enable arts opportunities to become flexible and welcoming for carers and parents, it’s a very powerful thing; we gain a trove of new voices and stories.”

Gladstone’s Library, which was founded in the late 1800s by four-times Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone, has three Reading Rooms which hold thousands of books and collections items, 26 bedrooms and an on-site restaurant.

Andrea Russell, Warden of Gladstone’s Library, said:

“When you put a strong shortlist before our external judging panel it’s always exciting to see which books make the final selection. This year’s shortlist was exceptionally strong.

“I am delighted that the finalists presented us with such a diverse selection of works, with memoirs, poetry and fiction in the mix, and I’m looking forward to sharing these books with the Gladstone’s Library community.”

The Writer in Residence programme was first set up in 2011 by then Warden Peter Francis and current trustee Damian Barr, author of the novel You Will Be Safe Here, and memoir Maggie and Me, and the driving force behind The Big Scottish Book Club on the BBC.

It is designed to help emerging authors who have at least one traditionally published book but are struggling to find the time, space and funds to be creative. It is now supported by a kind donor.

Louisa Yates, Director of Collections and Research at the Library, works closely with the Writers in Residence to present a programme of events connected with the scheme.

She said:

“In the years since the residencies began, we have welcomed more than fifty writers who have spent up to a month at the Library to work on their next project. We are proud to call many of them friends and recognise the important role they play in the life of the Library.

“Part of this role is to share their work with our community. Our Writers agree to run a writing masterclass and give a talk about their chosen subject. Both are great opportunities to find inspiration for writing, research and reading. We hope to see new and familiar faces attending our Writers in Residence events in 2025.”

To find out more about the Writer in Residence programme and the Gladstone’s Library events calendar, visit:

http://www.gladstoneslibrary.org
 
Gladstone’s Library is situated in Hawarden, North Wales.

Founded by William Ewart Gladstone in the late 1800s, it is the only Prime Ministerial library in the United Kingdom and one of few residential libraries in the world. The current grade-I listed building was designed by John Douglas and constructed as the national memorial to Gladstone shortly after his death.  

As well as the beautiful Reading Rooms which house 150,000 printed books (20,000 of which belonged to Gladstone), the library has a restaurant and café, a chapel, 26 bedrooms, a cosy sitting room, and lovely gardens.

Pictured from top L-R: Tawseef Khan (Muslim, Actually), Liz Berry (The Home Child), Caroline Crampton (A Body Made of Glass). Bottom: Selali Fiamanya (Before We Hit the Ground), Joanna Miller (The Eights).