Author to discuss hotly-tipped debut novel

IN CONVERSATION: Marcia Hutchinson

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

A writer named one of the best debut novelists of 2025 by The Observer will be talking about her life and work in an event at Union Mash-Up later this month.

Marcia Hutchinson, whose debut novel, The Mercy Step, is out this month on Cassava Republic Press, will be in conversation with Hull writer Russ Litten at the Princes Avenue venue on Thursday, July 31.

Hutchinson, who was born in Bradford to Windrush-era Jamaican parents, worked as a lawyer in London before returning to Yorkshire to found and run an educational publishing company specialising in culturally diverse learning resources, teacher-training and theatre in education. She wrote or edited more than 20 textbooks and was awarded an MBE for services to cultural diversity in 2010. 

Hutchinson later relocated to Manchester where she served as a councillor before stepping down to focus on her passion for creative writing.

The event is free and begins at 7.30pm.