Saraid De Silva
Saraid de Silva is a writer and arts worker from Aotearoa New Zealand. Her debut novel, Amma, was published in Australia and New Zealand by Moa Press, and in the UK by Weatherglass Books in 2024. Amma was longlisted for the New Zealand book awards and the Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2025.
Ben PESTER
Ben Pester is a writer of long and short form fiction. His debut story collection Am I in the Right Place? was published in 2021, and was long listed for the 2022 Edge Hill Prize. His fiction and work has appeared in Granta, The London Magazine, TANK, Hotel, Five Dials and elsewhere. His debut novel The Expansion Project was published in 2025, and his subsequent story collection Sail Away Land is out now. Ben lives with his family in North London.
Bookies’ Favourite
Bookies’ Favourite is a podcast dedicated to discussing major fiction prizes, contemporary literature and award-winning books. Hosted by broadcast journalist Aaron Rice, writer Colin Rice and avid readers Hannah McGlade and Lucy, the podcast brings together four distinct perspectives on the prize-worthy books on today’s bookshelves. Through weekly discussions, reviews and predictions, Bookies' Favourite has built a growing audience with its coverage of literary prize shortlists, including the International Booker Prize, the Booker Prize and the Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize. As a collective judge Bookies' Favourite will debate nominees amongst each other ahead of deliberations with their fellow judges.