Exeter Novel Prize 2026

Exeter Writers; Richard Handy,
Cathie Hartigan, Elizabeth Ducie
and Jonathan Posner

 Several members of Exeter Writers attended the award ceremony for the Exeter Novel Prize yesterday. Exeter Writers have sponsored the prize since its inception in 2013.

This year under the new management of Pippa and David of Word Kitchen the event was held at Exeter Library and on Zoom - which demonstrates how incredibly international the prize now is. 

Uduak-Abasi Ekong, Winner

We heard first from authors Fiona Williams and Orlando Murrin who have championed the Exeter Novel Prize. We then heard the opening pages from each of the shortlisted finalists before London agent, Hellie Ogden, gave a short and enthusiastic critique of each one. 

Every novel was worthy of winning but it was Uduak-Abasi Ekong who took home the biggest prize for her tremendously compelling and creepy psychological horror, Welcome Back, Darling. Huge congratulations to her. We all hope to read her novel soon.

Uduak-Abasi Ekong, Winner and Sophie Pawson, Runner Up

Shortlist: 

Nora - Eman Al Nafjan

Hour of the Dog - Elisabeth (Betty) Gunawan

Eyrie - Sophie Pawson

New Work - Martha Hipley

Conditional - Nisha Gopal