Old Salopian wins major new writers’ prize

In a week bookended by two of Shrewsbury’s strongest creative challenges, the McEachran and Sidney prizes, it was a timely and real delight to hear that Will Hunter (Rt 2007-12) has received the #Merky Books New Writers’ prize for 2023. 

A competition that aims to discover unpublished, underrepresented writers aged 16-30, it was founded by the musician Stormzy, who also oversees the judging panel.  Will’s novel, People Like Us, tells the story of a boy who falls in love with a family and into a world in which he doesn’t belong. 

Will commented that “writing is something that I’ve wanted to do for as long as I can remember, but I’d begun to feel like that door was closed to me.” As part of the prize, Will receives a book deal with Penguin Random House, who will work with him to publish People Like Us.

Stormzy added that he was “so happy to crown Will as the winner of this year’s prize. An extremely talented writer and I can’t wait to read more.”

Will’s creative potential was seen by all who knew him at Shrewsbury: he was a key figure in both the theatre and Maidment building, performing in school and house plays, as well as operas and other concerts over his five years. As Will’s tutor during his time at Shrewsbury, it was a pleasure to witness his latent talent and flair being delivered in so many areas of school life, whether on the Edinburgh Fringe stage or as Head of School. Though it does not feel like a decade since Will left Shrewsbury to study Medicine, it is always great to hear of former pupils forging an impressive path.  As he says, writing has been a long-held ambition, and this latest addition to his career roster is an incredibly exciting one;  I can’t wait to read People Like Us when it’s published next year and to welcoming Will back to talk about it!

Toby Percival

Head of Higher Education