College librarian takes on judging duties to acknowledge minority groups in the publishing world

Brinsbury College librarian, Stella Hine, is taking her publishing passion to the next level in a bid to represent promote black British writers through creative competition.

Stella was thrilled to be chosen for the panel of the Jericho Prize, which is a free writing competition and development programme for emerging Black-British writers for children. 

From a young age Stella’s keen eye for literature has followed her throughout her career path and an element of either writing or reading has been a big part to any job role she has taken on. 

Stella said: “As a mixed-heritage and painfully shy child, reading and books were always my refuge, my joy, my freedom and never more so than ever through the two years of the Covid pandemic. 

“Being able to contribute to the publishing world by promoting new voices at this time is a huge honour.” 

For Stella and the other judges involved with the Jericho Prize, this competition is a way for not only minority groups to be heard but and also to be acknowledged for their writing talents. 

Stella added: “For me, realising I have a voice that is being will be heard by some is enough for me to speak up even louder. 

“I can’t fight every battle when it comes to pressing issues in this world but by making my mark in this way, I hope we canto make a real difference to some people’s lives.” 

The competition, which is calling all unpublished and self-published Black-British children’s writers, will open from Monday 7 November and run until Monday 9 January 2023. 

Following a rigorous process Stella and two other judges will then examine the shortlisted picture book manuscript entries for a chance to win a publishing contract with Scholastic UK, SCBWI membership, exclusive access to publishing professionals, and much more.