Cassava Republic Brings “The Mercy Step” to International Spotlight

Cassava Republic Press is celebrating major recognitions for The Mercy Step by Marcia Hutchinson. The novel has been longlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction and shortlisted for the Discover Prize at the British Book Awards, two of the most significant literary honours in the UK.

The road to publication was not easy. Senior Editor Layla Mohamed picked up the manuscript after it had been turned down by 50 publishers. Set in Bradford in December 1962, The Mercy Step tells the story of Mercy, a precocious Jamaican-British girl growing up with a violent father, a devout mother, and the long shadow of the Windrush. Layla Mohamed recognized what others had missed and acquired the novel, staying true to Cassava Republic’s belief that the stories others overlook are often the most worth telling.

For Cassava Republic Press, the recognition is more than a literary milestone. It affirms the press’ long-standing commitment to publishing the stories that mainstream publishing often overlook and to ensuring that African and Black writers own the means to shape their cultural narratives. In nearly two decades, the press has published nearly 150 books, with over six million copies sold and translations into 30 languages.

The Mercy Step has drawn wide praise since publication, with critics and fellow authors describing it as “a vivid and important story, told with warmth and verve.”

Marcia Hutchinson  was born in the UK to Jamaican parents of the Windrush-generation in 1962. She was the first pupil from her comprehensive school to attend Oxford, where she earned a LLM in Law. She later founded the educational publishing company Primary Colours and was awarded a  MBE in 2011 for services to Cultural Diversity. She is now a full-time writer and an active member of the Black Writers’ Guild. Marcia Hutchinson is available for events, interviews, and related conversations.

A paperback edition of The Mercy Step will be released on 30 April 2026.