Cassava Republic Press Spotlights Debut Novel with Major UK Literary Awards

Cassava Republic Press, an independent publisher based in London and Abuja, is celebrating breakthroughs for Marcia Hutchinson’s debut novel The Mercy Step. Senior Editor Layla Mohamed acquired the manuscript after it was rejected by 50 other publishers, spotting its unique potential.

The novel follows Mercy, a resilient Jamaican-British girl born in Bradford in December 1962. Raised in a home marked by her violent father’s temper, her devout mother’s faith, and the Windrush generation’s challenges, Mercy finds solace in books, learning, and her doll Dolly. Raw, tender, and humorous, the story draws from Hutchinson’s own upbringing.

Mohamed praised Mercy’s vivid voice, stating it affirmed the press’s mission to champion stories mainstream publishers ignore. This success underscores Cassava Republic’s commitment to African and Black narratives.

The Mercy Step has been longlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction, with the shortlist due on April 22, 2026. A paperback edition follows on April 30. It is also shortlisted for the British Book Awards’ Discover Prize, which supports underrepresented writers and indie presses.

Critics have lauded the book. The Observer called it a dark, humorous capture of northern Black life. Author Roisin O’Donnell highlighted its compassionate portrayal of domestic abuse’s impact on children. Others, including Paterson Joseph and Irenosen Okojie, praised its modern classic potential and compelling protagonist.

Hutchinson, born to Windrush parents in 1962, was the first from her school to attend Oxford, earning an MA in Law. She worked as a lawyer, founded Primary Colours publishing, received an MBE in 2011, and later became a Manchester councillor. Now a full-time writer with the Black Writers’ Guild, this is her solo debut.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)