Gladstone’s Library announces Shortlist for 2026 Writer in Residence programme
Gladstone’s Library is delighted to announce the shortlist for its prestigious 2026 Writer in Residence programme, which supports and celebrates contemporary writers engaging with themes relevant to the Library’s founder, William Ewart Gladstone, including politics, history, religion, and social justice.
After receiving an exceptional number of submissions from across the literary spectrum, the library’s Reading Group has shortlisted eight outstanding authors whose work demonstrates intellectual depth, moral imagination, and a commitment to public discourse.
The shortlisted titles for 2026 are:
- Laura Beatty, Looking for Theophrastus (Atlantic Books, 2022) – A meditation on how ancient thought might help with modern problems, particularly those related to issues of identity, the environment and the nature of knowledge.
- Alison Binney, The Opposite of Swedish Death Cleaning (Seren, 2025) – An eagerly-awaited poetry debut and a tender examination both of human connection and of the connections between people and the natural world.
- DG Coutinho, The Light and Shade of Ellen Swithin (Harvill Secker, 2024) – A subversive thriller that dares to explore the very darkest corners of toxic office culture.
- Kelly Gardiner (co-written with Sharmini Kumar), Miss Caroline Bingley, Private Detective (HarperCollins, 2025) – A witty and clever reimagining of a classic Austen character in a new and suspenseful light.
- David Hendy, The BBC (Profile Books, 2022) – A deeply human and timely history of one of Britain’s most influential cultural institutions.
- Kat Hill, Bothy: In Search of Simple Shelter (William Collins, 2024) – A lyrical and reflective work on solitude, landscape, and the meaning of home.
- Harry Man, Popular Song (Nine Arches Press, 2024) – A powerful poetry collection exploring collective memory and popular culture with nuance and musicality.
- Anthony Shapland, A Room Above a Shop (Granta, 2025) – A tender love story unfolding in South Wales during the late 1980s.
Each shortlisted writer has produced work that challenges, enlightens, and inspires, resonating with the Library’s mission to foster open-minded dialogue and intellectual exchange.
Andrea Russell, Warden of Gladstone’s Library, is delighted to see yet another outstanding set of candidates, saying ‘Writer in Residence is one of the highlights of the Library year – not only are we privileged to read so many fabulous books, but we get to know their authors too!’
Four of the shortlisted authors will be awarded residencies of up to a month at the Library in 2026. During their stay, Residents live and write in the unique surroundings of Gladstone’s Library, while also engaging with the Library’s community through public events and blog posts. Their residencies are funded by the support of a generous donor.
The final selection will be announced in autumn 2025.
Throughout the summer the Library is running ‘Meet the Shortlist’, a series of blog posts with all the shortlisted writers. Published twice a week, our first post comes later this week. Stay tuned!