Lorraine Birnita
Lorraine grew up in Zimbabwe’s beautiful savanna among a rich storytelling tradition. During the school holidays, she’d sit by the fire, listening to elders spin tales of fantastical creatures, mythical beings, and faraway lands. These stories invoked the most powerful emotions that she tries to emulate in her writing. An avid reader, she enjoys writing fiction across all genres, loves genre-mashing, and always adds a sprinkle of romance to her YA and adult stories. After immigrating to the UK in 2000, she settled in Norwich, England’s first UNESCO City of Literature. When not writing, she enjoys music, dancing, and spending time with her family and friends.
What made you enter the Cheshire Novel Prize Kids?
Feedback! In 2024 I came across a tweet about this prize and how everyone gets feedback and I decided to give it a try. The Kids Prize had already closed so I submitted three manuscripts to the Adult Prize and that’s the best thing I ever did! I received fantastic feedback for all three, and my adult romance was also longlisted – a huge surprise and a boost in confidence. While my YA story didn’t make the list, the feedback was incredible. It completely reshaped my approach to the story, and after incorporating the suggestions, I re-entered it into the 2025 Kids Prize, hoping for more feedback. And when the LL and SL came, it was such a beautiful surprise.
What did it feel like when you were LL and then SL?
Delighted and surprised! I never saw this coming. Knowing readers found something worthwhile in this story made my day. I have several manuscripts that I’ve written over the years, but they’ve not quite made it, which has really impacted my confidence. This listing was the boost I needed to keep writing. I spent the whole day smiling at everything and nothing.
What was the reaction from those around you/family and friends?
Thrilled! It was joy, all round. My family has witnessed the ups and downs of my writing journey. They know some of my characters like they’re members of the family. And when my daughter said to my son, “See? I told you Mum never gives up!” That truly made my day.
How did you come up with the idea for your book?
A few years ago, I watched a story on the news about talks between the British Museum/Cambridge University and several African countries about the repatriation of bones that had been taken during colonialism, my native country included. That rekindled the stories I heard growing up and the cultural/spiritual significance. So, I started researching and found many disputed artefacts, bones, jewels, carvings etc and the challenge that institutions face in considering whether to return them. The “all or nothing” dilemma fascinated me. If you return one, you must return all, right? But where do you begin, and where do you end?
That’s how the story idea was born. I knew it’d be a tough one, still is. But I went for it anyway. I began writing a YA novel, aiming for a light, engaging tone, a fun premise, and a compelling romance, all while tackling the serious issue of repatriation.
What’s it about?
It follows a group of Criminology Students in London who get entwined in a vengeance and heist plot to reclaim a priceless diamond stolen during colonialism, and one student has the highest stakes of all: her mother’s justice.
The story has high stakes, an engaging romance arc, a diverse group, among them second-generation immigrants set on redressing colonial wrongs and a unique "found family" formed through crime (or justice, depending on your perspective). There’s also a super cool fictional kingdom that’ll give Wakanda a run for its money (In case Marvel are reading this – happy to talk 😊.) Everyone has a secret. Several plot twists, and a huge one at the end.
Ultimately it explores one question: If you had a moral obligation to repatriate what was taken from you, how far would you go?
What’s your writing routine?
I work full time, so my writing time is mostly at weekends and in the middle of the night, usually when I can’t sleep. My best ideas come up then.
What’s next for you?
Rewriting my YA Romantasy. I’m also thinking of picking up my YA Dystopian. I wrote it over five years ago – at least part of it. Never finished it. But I’m thinking, why not? I might just give it a go and see if I’ll finish it this time.
What are your favourite children’s books and why?
When I was a teen, I used to read anything I could get my hands on. I’m a fan of high-stakes and fast-paced books, so I tend to love reading in the YA space. Some of my favourites are The 100 and The Hunger Games. In the Fantasy space, I enjoyed The Gilded Ones and Legendborn.
Any tips for writers intending on entering the competition?
Go for it. I love this prize, because of the way it’s run, the transparency as well as the feedback. Even if you don’t get a listing, you do get something out of it: Feedback! It’s a truly cool prize, and I highly recommend it. The organizers are incredibly supportive and having them in your corner makes it extra special.