Selina Brown, the visionary founder of the Black British book festival, has been honoured as the inaugural National Reading Hero recipient of the Queen's Reading Room medal. This prestigious new literary award was unveiled by Queen Camilla herself, recognising individuals across the United Kingdom who passionately champion books and storytelling.
From Personal Frustration to National Recognition
Brown's remarkable journey began in 2021 when she launched the Black British book festival out of sheer frustration. She had been told her children's book would not sell simply because it featured a Black girl on the cover. Determined to create change, she started with a modest one-day event that has since blossomed into Europe's largest celebration of Black literature, now operating as a year-round platform hosting events at venues nationwide.
Building Community Through Literature
Through her innovative Reading for Smiles programme, Brown has introduced inclusive books into primary schools located in underserved areas with historically low literacy rates. Her commitment extends beyond the classroom with the establishment of two community libraries, creating accessible literary spaces for all.
"As a young Black girl growing up in Britain, I found possibility in stories long before I saw it in the world around me," Brown reflected emotionally. "I built this from nothing. No network. No industry access. Just belief – and books."
The single mother of three revealed she invested her personal savings into what she describes as "a dream that Black British stories deserved a world-class stage." Regarding her historic recognition, she added: "To be named the inaugural National Reading Hero is beyond anything I imagined when I started. This medal belongs to every child who has ever searched for themselves in a story and not found it."
Local Hero Also Honoured
The awards ceremony also celebrated Liz Waterland as Local Reading Hero for her exceptional volunteer work at Deepings Community Library in Lincolnshire. Over more than a decade of dedicated service, Waterland secured 8,000 signatures on a petition when the library faced closure, demonstrating remarkable community leadership.
Waterland described receiving the award as a "wonderful honour" and an acknowledgment "of a lifetime spent helping to make reading accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages, wherever they may be."
Rigorous Selection Process
Brown and Waterland emerged victorious from hundreds of nominations reviewed by an esteemed judging panel representing Britain's literary elite. The panel included Lady Gail Rebuck, chair of Penguin Random House UK; Jonathan Douglas, chief executive of the National Literacy Trust; Alison Tweed, chief executive of Book Aid International; Dan Conway, chief executive of the Publishers Association; Sarah Mears, programmes director at Libraries Connected; Nels Abbey, founder of the Black British Writers' Guild; and celebrated author Ann Cleeves.
Vicki Perrin, chief executive of the Queen's Reading Room, expressed enthusiasm about the winners: "We have been overwhelmed by the extraordinary calibre of nominations received from every corner of the United Kingdom. We are thrilled to unveil Selina Brown and Liz Waterland as our winners: Selina for her extraordinary impact on Black British literature and community development, and Liz for the brilliant nature of her work in Lincolnshire."
Background and Future Recognition
The Queen's Reading Room, founded by Queen Camilla in 2023 as a charitable organisation, operates an online book club, festivals, and various initiatives designed to promote reading nationwide. The National Reading Hero medal was launched in 2025 specifically to address declining reading rates across the country.
Looking ahead, nominations for next year's medal will open on 1 June and close on 1 October, continuing the important work of recognising literary champions who make reading accessible and inspiring for communities throughout the United Kingdom.
