Selina Brown is a British author and literary events producer of Jamaican heritage. She has written three children's picture books, two about a girl named Nena and a third titled My Rice is Best. She is the founder and CEO of the Black British Book Festival, started in 2021, which has become the largest Black literature festival in Europe.
Early life and education Born in Birmingham, Selina Brown was raised by her British mother and Jamaican grandmother. Brown attended Cumberland Community School in Plaistow and completed her A-Levels at Newham Sixth Form College in 2008. Brown graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Sociology from Goldsmiths, University of London, and then a Master of Science (MSc) from the University of East London. As a teenager, she became active in public service: at the age of 16, she was elected Youth Mayor (Youth MP) of Nottingham."Selina Brown", The Flip Interview, 2023.
Career Brown's early career included marketing and communications roles at media organisations.Clare (21 June 2023) "Q&A with Selina Brown". Writers and Artists. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
As an author, she self-published two children's picture books during the COVID-19 pandemic. These feature a young girl named Nena who learns to enjoy fruits and vegetables. In 2024, she secured a two-book publishing deal with Penguin Random House Children's UK.Gohil, Neha (2 October 2024), "Black British Book festival founder criticises lack of diversity in publishing", The Guardian. Retrieved 30 April 2025. Her debut picture book for this contract My Rice is Best explores cultural pride and friendship through the humorous rivalry between two children over their favorite rice dishes.Fraser, Katie (11 February 2025), "Puffin signs 'joyful' picture book from Selina Brown and Maxwell A Oginni", The Bookseller. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
In 2021, Brown launched the Black British Book Festival (BBBF), which was first held in Birmingham.Brown, Selina (1 February 2025), "Five Questions With... Selina Brown, CEO of the Black British Book Festival", Arts Council England. Retrieved 30 April 2025.Woodal, Sophia (7 February 2024), "A Day in the Life: Selina Brown, CEO and Founder of the Black British Book Festival", The Hub (The London Book Fair). Retrieved 30 April 2025. The festival was conceived to celebrate emerging Black British authors and to address the lack of representation in the literary industry.Okusaga, Esther (13 October 2023), "Selina Brown Is Filling A Gap In Our Literary Culture", Black Ballad. Retrieved 30 April 2025. The festival grew rapidly; by 2023, it partnered with London's Southbank Centre and drew thousands of attendees, and media have described it as the largest Black literature festival in Europe.Brown, Lauren (30 June 2023), "Pinnock, Mabuse and more confirmed for Black British Book Festival as event moves to London", The Bookseller. Retrieved 30 April 2025."Chasing dreams with ferocity", The Voice, 16 October 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2025. She was recognized for this work as Leader of the Year at The Bookseller FutureBook Awards in 2024Melina, Spanoudi (25 November 2024), "FutureBook Awards winners announced as Samar Habib triumphs in new Freelancer of the Year category", The Bookseller. Retrieved 30 April 2025. and the London Book Fair Trailblazer Award in 2025."Trailblazers Awards 2025 Shortlist Revealed£, The London Book Fair. Retrieved 30 April 2025. The BBBF was held at the Barbican Centre in 2025.
Brown also hosts a weekly podcast for writers. "Write and Win Podcast with Selina Brown".
In October 2025, following a decline in the publication of Black literature in the UK since 2022, Brown announced a new publishing collaboration with Pan Macmillan, focusing on writers who have not been traditionally published.
Publications Nena: The Green Juice (self-published 2020) Nena: Granny’s Magic Fruit Salad (self-published 2020) "Never Make Peace with Mediocrity", in Encounters with James Baldwin: Celebrating 100 years (Supernova Books, 2024) My Rice is Best (Penguin Random House Children's UK, 2025)
References
External links Official website