The London Library is proud to announce the publication of the fifth annual volume of From the Silence of the Stacks, New Voices Rise, an anthology of work from the 2023-24 cohort of The London Library Emerging Writers Programme. A digital version of the anthology is available now on The London Library website, on Kindle and a hard copy is available to buy through the online shop. All proceeds go towards supporting the Emerging Writers Programme.

The anthology showcases 38 exciting new voices and a diverse range of writing which spans fiction, poetry, memoir, narrative non-fiction, playwriting, screenwriting, writing for children and young adults and, for the first time, translation. The contributions delve into a vast array of histories, ideas, cultures, landscapes and real and imaginary worlds. Tales of war and climate change, colonialism and politics, home and migration, sex, death and food traverse time, cross the globe and are told in a multitude of forms. 

Contributors to the fifth volume include 2023 Tony Craze award-winning playwright Maryam Garad, Rosie Kellett, whose cookbook In for Dinner will be published in 2025, Eric Gregory Award-winning poet Yanita Georgieva and 2023 Guardian/4th Estate Short Story Prize winner Tian Yi.

40 participants were selected from a field of almost 1,400 applicants, a record-breaking number, by a panel of judges comprising poet and playwright Caroline Bird, screenwriter, playwright and children’s author Moira Buffini, non-fiction writer Travis Elborough, novelist and short story writer Zoe Gilbert, novelist Ayisha Malik, and literary agents at Aitken Alexander Emma Paterson and Chris Wellbelove. 

The London Library’s Emerging Writers Programme is a year-long programme, geared towards supporting writers who have not yet published a full-length work of fiction, non-fiction, collection of poems, or had a full-length work professionally produced for stage or screen. Participants benefit from one year’s free membership of The London Library alongside a programme of writing development and networking opportunities, peer support, and guidance.

Membership to The London Library includes: access to its collection of around one million books and periodicals (almost all of which can be borrowed), a vast eLibrary, atmospheric workspaces in a beautiful building, a members’ suite, free nationwide postal loans, and discounted tickets to the Library’s popular public events programme. The annual Emerging Writers Anthology celebrates each member of the Programme by showcasing extracts from projects they worked on throughout the year.

Previous members of The London Library Emerging Writers Programme have gone on to achieve considerable success. Published or soon to be published writers include novelists Abi Daré, Amber Medland, Lianne Dillsworth, Russell Franklin, Krystle Zara Appiah, Sarah Marsh, Flora Carr, Katie Buckley, Lucy Steeds, Carole Hailey, Xenobe Purvis, Eli Zuzovsky, Thomas Peermohamed Lambert and Lisa Smith; poets Anastasia Taylor-Lind, Isabelle Baafi, Oakley Flanagan,Natalie Linh Bolderston, Courtney Conrad, Helen Bowell, Lisa Kiew, Eve Ellis and Zakia Carpenter-Hall; non-fiction writers Marina Gerner, Gaar Adams, Sarah Clegg, Alexis Keir, Harriet Rix, Carla Montemayor and Grace Quantock; graphic novelists Ella Baron and Miriam Gold; children’s writers Gita Raleigh, Gayathiri Kalamakanthan and Natasha Hastings; and screenwriters and playwrights who have had work commissioned and/or produced across TV/film, radio and stage include Paolo Chianta, Ayad Andrews, Megan Smith, Daniel Marc Janes, Sid Sagar, Esohe Uwadiae, Jess Edwards, Zia Holloway and Temo Majekodunmi.

Claire Berliner, Head of Programming says: “This year’s anthology is another stunning collection of work from the outgoing cohort of Emerging Writers. It is full of beautifully written, insightful and revelatory pieces, wide and diverse in scope and a testament to the richness of the Programme, the spirit of The London Library and the talent of each one of these wonderful writers as they head into a bright literary future.”

In total, The London Library’s Emerging Writers Programme has supported 238 previously unpublished writers. Applications for the next London Library Emerging Writers Programme will open on 9 January 2025.

The London Library Christmas card is a stylish way to wish your nearest and dearest a wonderful festive season.

This year's Christmas card is designed by Cat O'Neil, an award-winning freelance illustrator. The illustration captures the peaceful atmosphere of the Library's Back Stacks, where many a member has found themselves absorbed in thought.

"I wanted to convey the warmth that can be found in solitary reflection and exploration," says O'Neil on designing the card. "And how magical it can feel when you look through the collection of completely unique books!"

Each pack contains eight cards and costs £8.00.

Shop now via our online shop. 

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All proceeds go towards supporting The London Library.

Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback and views via our survey, by writing to us and at our consultation events. 

We received 147 responses to the feedback survey, of which 59% had a positive overall impression of the plans and the majority of those were very positive. 64% of responses were positive about Phase 2 of the project (the renovated members’ room with catering, roof terrace and lift) and 24% negative (the remainder being neutral). Of those who were not positive about the proposals, the majority did see merit in some elements of the plans. We understand from this, and a number of member surveys, that a significant number of members are excited about the proposals and feel they are a valuable addition to the Library’s offer to its members.

Respondents were happy to see the inclusion of a second lift. We have heard, understandably that members are concerned about the disruption and we, our architects and construction partners will do all we can to keep this to a minimum. We have also been in consultation with members regarding the related basement periodical collections and believe we are able to accommodate the requests members have made to retain specific items on site. We thank all respondents for taking the time to give their feedback and for their constructive comments.  

All of the feedback we have received will be useful as we continue the Building Connections project over the next four to five years. Planning applications for Phase One have been submitted to Westminster Council with Phase Two plans to follow in due course.

Please visit our Building Connections website for updates as plans progress as well as our FAQs page for more information.

Should you wish to get in touch about our campaign please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Through newsletters in April, May and June, members were invited to give input to the Library’s plans to move the foreign language periodicals and society publications from our collections off-site.

This is to allow for both the development of the kitchen in the basement as part of Phase 1 of the Building Connections Campaign, as well as to create a secure storage area for archives and rare books which will include an invigilation space.

As a result of the consultation, it was decided the following would be retained on site: 

  • All of the Russian society and periodical publications
  • All other titles identified by members in other languages (this includes titles in French, German, Italian and Spanish). 

We have accelerated work to get all known periodical and society publications referenced in our catalogue, and we will ensure that nothing is moved off-site that does not have a catalogue record. 

Thank you to all members who contacted us such giving useful and constructive input to our ongoing collection management. 

  1. Update: St James's Square entrance is open
  2. New e-resource available to all London Library members: The Philip Mould Picture Archive
  3. The London Library renames room in honour of Sir Tom Stoppard
  4. Member survey feedback
  5. New Acquisitions team

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