Words Matter.

After a record-breaking public vote, York St John University has announced not one but two winners for the 2026 Big Summer Read campaign.

More than 500 votes were cast in this year’s competition, with two books emerging as clear favourites and separated by only a handful of votes. Together, the winning titles secured more than 80% of the overall vote share.

The joint winners of the York St John Big Summer Read 2026 are:

· Hex House by Amy Jane Stewart

· Featherfall by Jerry Ibbotson

Both authors are alumni of York St John University, having completed the University’s MA Creative Writing programme.

Coordinated by the English Literature team at York St John University, the Big Summer Read is an annual initiative designed to encourage reading for pleasure across the University community and beyond, while also this year celebrating contemporary writing and literary talent connected to the institution.

Hex House is a dark contemporary fairytale set deep in the wilds of Scotland. The novel follows Elly, a pregnant bride who discovers the mysterious Hex House after fleeing her husband on their wedding night, and Siobhan, an ambitious filmmaker invited to document the house and its secrets. A sanctuary that appears only to women who need it most, Hex House transforms its inhabitants into vessels of revenge.

Amy Jane Stewart said:

“I’m so thrilled and thankful that Hex House has been selected as joint winner for the YSJ Big Summer Read! Doing my Creative Writing MA at York St John in 2018 helped kickstart my career as a writer, and so it feels really special to have this connection to the university now that my debut novel has come out. I’m very excited to read fellow winner Jerry Ibbotson’s Featherfall, and to see what readers make of Hex House!”

Meanwhile, Featherfall brings fantasy much closer to home, weaving its story through the streets and hidden corners of York itself.

Describing the novel, Jerry Ibbotson said:

“Featherfall has York in its blood. Much of the story takes place on the city streets and the Minster itself takes centre stage on occasion. I’ve tried to reflect the city as

it really is and build a believable, realistic picture of the place I call home, while telling a story that is pure fantasy.”

He added:

“I feel incredibly privileged to have been selected as one of this year’s Big Summer Read books, particularly as the other nominees were so worthy. I hope that I can do it justice and that those who read Featherfall enjoy it!”

Reflecting on York’s influence on his writing, he said:

“There’s a magic about York that really lends itself to my kind of storytelling. There’s so much history piled up in one place that it weaves a spell over you. Walking around some of the narrow city streets, you start to imagine all sorts of jiggery pokery taking place down dark alleys and snickleways. I’ve put a lot of that into Featherfall.”

Dr Adam James Smith, Course Lead for English Literature at York St John University, said:

“In the past, the Big Summer Read has always been a wonderful opportunity to bring students and colleagues from across York St John University together to share in the experience of reading the same book at the same time.

It’s always extraordinary to see the responses the books have generated, and the conversations that this shared experience has sparked, creating connections we never would have predicted.

This time we’re reading two novels for the first time, and we’re in the wonderfully unique position of both of them having been written by York St John University graduates, so it seems an extra special opportunity to share and celebrate everything that is special about our university community, and the genuine wonders it creates.

If you’re looking to get back into reading, looking for something fun to read having just finished your GCSE or A-Level exams, or just want to read a brilliant book alongside lots of enthusiastic and engaged readers, then we’d absolutely love to read Hex House and Featherfall with you this summer.”

Further details and a carefully curated reading schedule will be available from the 1 June via the WordsMatter_YSJ page on Instagram.

The English Literature Programme are hosting their annual Research Showcase on Monday 11th May at 6pm in the De Grey Lecture Theatre. You are warmly invited to come along and hear staff and PhD students present short papers on their current research and chat about their latest projects. You will hear members of the team talk about writing stories about record players, Charlotte Bronte’s ‘Currer Bell’ pseudonym, new research on fictional witches, Cornish folk horror landscapes, a new novel about a 19^th century Yorkshire cottage, and the ways that indie artist St Vincent is challenging the conventions of the autobiographical music documentary. 

All in one evening!  

This range of subjects reflects the breadth of research within our fantastic programme. Our staff look forward to giving you a snapshot of their specialisms. We hope you’ll come along. 

Please book your FREE ticket here. The presentations will be followed by a wine reception.  

The English Literature team are recognising outstanding academic achievement by students completing the first year of their degree in both single honours and joint honours cohorts through this year’s Words Matter prizes. This year’s winners are English Literature student Sammie Waters and English Literature and Creative Writing student Celeste de Kuijper.

Level Four co-ordinator Dr Fraser Mann says that:

‘I’m really happy for Sammie and Celeste. Their dedication to the subject and their participation in university life are admirable. They have made rapid and remarkable progress and deserve real recognition for this success. They are both an asset to English Literature at York St John.’

On receiving news of the award, a delighted Sammie said:

‘As a mature student returning to university after a twenty-year absence, I started my degree with a mix of excitement and nerves. However, studying English Literature has become one of my most rewarding experiences. Winning the Words Matter Prize is an unexpected honour for which I am incredibly grateful. This recognition means a lot, as it is both an acknowledgement of hard work and a reminder that it is never too late to pursue things that challenge and inspire you.’

Celeste was equally happy and said:

‘This is wonderful news, I couldn’t have done it without persistently nagging my tutors!’

Sammie and Celeste will receive their awards during this year’s Words Matter Lecture https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/words-matter-lecture-first-ladies-in-popular-culture-tickets-1838128324299 .

We would like to congratulate them on their success and wish them all the best for the rest of their degrees.

Cameron Stewart started working at the Amnesty International Bookshop in York in October 2023, ahead of the Literature at Work module in the following Spring. “I didn’t know much about the organisation then, but have enjoyed my time volunteering and learning more about what they do. I’m proud to still volunteer once a week and have made great friends on the team. They like to have academic discussions on human rights and latest news.” Here is his message to you:

Thank you! Thank you to all the students and staff at York St John who visit, purchase from, and support the Amnesty Bookshop on Micklegate in York. Thank you to all the students and staff who signed our paper and online petitions. You might know that in early June, the bookshop was told it was at risk of closure. This led to a hard-fought campaign by both the shop volunteers, of which I am incredibly proud to be part of, and the wider York community. The shop has now got a reprieve while the organisation reviews all the arguments.

The next big update on the bookshop will be in February 2026. This gives us five months to work together as a community to secure its future. York has a highly respected status as a city of human rights defenders. YSJ is a University of Sanctuary. I greatly admire the way both Amnesty and YSJ value inclusion, tolerance, human rights for all, and the pursuit of a fairer and kinder society and world. The students play a leading role in the work that YSJ does and the example it sets. The motto of the English Department is “Words Matter” and they really do. Words are tools that can construct a better world and counteract those who seek to sow division.

I am happy to tell you that from the 20^th to the 28^th September, the Amnesty bookshop will be offering 20% student discount, to all students. The usual student discount is 10%. We appreciate you and hope you will visit, share about the shop and find a good book to either use for your studies or for leisure. The shop is a very warm, welcoming place with a team who love to chat and share recommendations about the books they are enjoying. Also, if you follow The Amnesty Bookshop York Facebook page and booksforamnestyyork on Instagram, you will see the latest news.

We look forward to welcoming you back or seeing you for the first time.    

Image via Amnesty Bookshop York. Used with permission.