Eilidh McKenzie: Winter 2026 Novel Competition winner

Meet Eilidh McKenzie, winner of our 2026 Novel Competition with her middle grade fiction Finding Calliope — an extract of which is available to read at New2theScene. We sit down with Eilidh to delve deeper into her writing journey, learning what inspires her, drives her, and what she’s doing to fulfil her greatest ambition.Finding Calliope first entered Eilidh’s consciousness when she was thirteen, and it’s taken ten years to develop into the novel it is today. The biggest transformation happened when Eilidh herself was diagnosed with autism at fifteen, enabling her to recognise the final piece of her protagonist’s puzzle: she was autistic too! Through her writing, Eilidh aims to shed light on the experiences of young girls with autism, many of whom remain undiagnosed and will continue to be so unless they recognise themselves in the characters they read.Get to know Eilidh alongside our New2theScene presenter as she speaks openly about neurodiversity, writing, and the challenges of breaking into the literary world. Juggling university, employment, and the need to write — as vital as air.Be inspired by Eilidh’s dedication to her craft, which can’t be switched off, and find inspiration for your own writing journey. Her story will uplift and reinforce your passion, and hopefully you’ll follow in her footsteps!New2theScene is a platform dedicated to discovering new or not-yet-familiar talent. Follow us on Instagram (@new2thescene.official) for the latest offers, news, and upcoming podcast guests. Visit our bookstore at new2thescene.co.uk to order books mentioned in this or other podcasts — and unearth your next great read.