A long-time champion of creative storytelling, Brunel University of London proudly partners the Nero Book Awards, which has announced the judges for its 2025 prize.
Run in partnership with Brunel, Caffè Nero and The Booksellers Association, the awards spotlight the best in British and Irish storytelling.
This year’s judges include actor and writer Paterson Joseph, author and critic Sinéad Gleeson, and children’s author Sharna Jackson. The panels feature other leading editors, booksellers and literary figures.
Judges will agree a 16-book shortlist later this year. One winner will be picked in each category: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Debut Fiction and Children’s Fiction.
“We are very proud of our continued sponsorship of the Nero Book Awards, “ said Dr Jessica Cox, Subject Lead for English and Creative Writing at Brunel Creative Writing. “They’re a recognition of exceptional storytelling that aligns with our deep commitment to literature and the arts.
“This partnership offers our English and Creative Writing students and staff a unique opportunity to engage with the literary world, and to celebrate the power of storytelling. We have no doubt that the panel of judges will spotlight some of the most engaging and compelling books of the year, and we look forward to celebrating the winning authors and their works at Brunel.”
The overall winner receives the £30,000 Nero Gold Prize, while category winners each get £5,000. Eligible titles must be published in the UK or Ireland between December 2024 and November 2025.
Past winners include The Bee Sting by Paul Murray and Maurice and Maralyn by Sophie Elmhirst, which both found wide new audiences.
“Brunel’s partnership with the Nero Book Awards reflects our commitment to championing the arts and amplifying diverse voices,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Jones. “It’s a powerful way to inspire our community and elevate the university’s national profile.”
Gerry Ford, Founder and CEO, Caffè Nero, said: “The Nero Book Awards have grown from strength to strength, and I’m proud that they are recognised amongst the most prestigious literary prizes in the UK and Ireland. Our judges truly represent some of the most influential people in the industry in terms of talent and taste-making. I’m eager to discover which books they select as the reads of the year from the UK and Ireland for their shortlists.”
The winners will be announced at an evening ceremony at the Outernet in London on 4 March 2026. Further information about the awards is available at nerobookawards.com.
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