I’m Abena Eyeson, a writer of Ghanaian descent, based in the UK. The stories I create are centred around children and tend to be contemporary.

I’m delighted by the positive response my work has received so far. I’m looking forward to sharing my future books as they come to fruition, but in the meantime, check out my current work in

the Books section (where you will find links to bookstores selling my books).

My Books

My debut middle grade novel, RUNNING MY OWN RACE, published in the UK by Nosy Crow, 3rd July 2025.

Kofi's mum is determined he's going to be 'somebody'. But when Kofi is given a place at a prestigious private school because of his athletic ability, everything changes. Kofi dreams of being a professional athlete - but he soon finds following your heart isn't an easy road.

Under pressure from his mum to make the most of his academic opportunity, his best friend who doesn't want him to change, his community to make them proud, and a rival who will do anything to make sure Kofi doesn't outshine him - Kofi isn't sure where to turn.

Can Kofi find a way to follow his own path?

Available to buy from

Audiobook can be bought from

USA

Canada

  • Amazon (kindle ebook and paperback)

UAE

  • Amazon (paperback and Audible)

Australia (publication date here 4th November 2025)

https://nosycrow.com/product/running-my-own-race/

#debutnovel #2025debutauthor #debutnovel2025 #middlegradenovel2025

My book, Our Family Farm, beautifully illustrated by Kofi Ofosu, was published by Oxford University Press in March 2024.

Ama's family run a fruit farm in Ghana, West Africa. Follow Ama as she takes you to meet her family and gives you a tour around the farm!

Readerful Independent Library:Oxford Reading Level 8: Our Family Farm: Oxford University Press (oup.com)

A book for year 3/ Primary 4 readers, please borrow it from your local library.

If your library doesn’t have a copy, please ask them to get the book.

Hope you enjoy the book.

#readerful #newchildrensbook #ourfamilyfarm #oup #oupbooks #librarians #oxforduniversitypressu

Book Club and Teacher Resources

More
about me

  • I am represented by Gill McLay of Bath Literary Agency.

  • My love of books, drama and writing led me to start creating fiction. I aim to create strong central characters dealing with the challenges that life has presented them with.

  • At school and at university, I loved acting on stage and performing poetry. I remember being the only non-drama student in a university drama production. I guess the ability to imagine being someone else helps me write fiction.

  • I am married with three children which is wonderful but demanding. My children inspire me to write positive stories with a black child at the heart of each one.

  • I was a FAB Prize 2021 Commended Text Prize winner and was longlisted for the Jericho Prize 2021 Picture book as well as the TLC Pen Factor Writing Prize 2022.

  • I have a BA (Hons) in Law and Sociology and a Masters in Industrial Relations from Warwick University, England as well as a PhD in Development Studies from University of East Anglia, England.

News

Thank you BookTrust for the lovely review of Running My Own Race and for including it in your September 2025 roundup of ‘Books we love this month’.

Here’s a snippet:

“This moving story reminds us of the power of family, community and perseverance. Kofi is wonderfully resilient as he triumphs over different obstacles while maintaining an upbeat sense of humour, thanks in large part to his supportive network of friends and family. Kofi’s story also invites reflection on important messages about social barriers, being proud of your identity and the power of restorative justice.”

Read the full review on the BookTrust website.

https://www.thebookseller.com/spotlight/librarians-autumn-picks-2025

I'm delighted that Running My Own Race is an autumn pick in the Library edition of The Bookseller September 2025. Big thanks to librarian Lucas Maxwell for recommending and reviewing the book.

#BookRecommendation

#librarians

#theBookseller

Thank you Books for Topics for selecting Running My Own Race as one of your five outstanding titles for August 2025 .

https://www.booksfortopics.com/booklists/books-of-the-month/best-books-this-month-august-2025/

Do you like listening to audiobooks?

Well, RUNNING MY OWN RACE is available as an audiobook, narrated by the talented Eric Kofi Abrefa of SUPACELL fame. Available now from Audible, Apple books and XigXag.

I was pleased to write a blog post for CLPE, Centre for Literarcy in Primary Education. Check it out on their website.

https://clpe.org.k/blog/running-my-own-race-blog-abena-eyeson

A big thank you to the writers who have read bound proofs of RUNNING MY OWN RACE and have taken the time to send in endorsement quotes. It is very much appreciated 🙏🏽🙏🏽.

These are some of the quotes.

#runningmyownracebook #middlegradebooks #debutnovel2025 #summerread #middlegradenovel2025

It was so lovely to see this comment by Waterstones about RUNNING MY OWN RACE. The book is available from Waterstones.

Pre-order until it is published on 3rd July 2025.

https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-my-own-race/abena-eyeson/9781805133735

Thank you Faber Academy for the interview and feature on your website.

https://faberacademy.com/reading-room/features/alumni-interview-abena-eyeson/

The reveal for the beautiful cover of RUNNING MY OWN RACE.

Author visits

If you would like to book me to do an author visit, please email Nosy Crow  hello@nosycrow.com

or complete the contact form below. Thank you.

Follow me on social media

Instagram

Threads

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Twitter/X
bsky

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Bluesky

Contact me

I love hearing from readers, teachers and librarians! However, if you are under 18 and wish to contact me, please ask an adult (such as a parent, carer or teacher) to send any questions or comments on your behalf, then I can respond. Thank you.

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