Lucy Steeds (born 1995) is an English writer. Her debut historical fiction novel The Artist (2025) won the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize and Waterstones Book of the Year among other accolades.
Early life Steeds grew up in London. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English literature from Jesus College, Oxford and a Masters degree (MA) in World Literatures from University College, Oxford. She is also a graduate of the Faber Academy and the London Library's Emerging Writers programme.
Career
In 2024, John Murray Press acquired the rights to publish Steeds' debut historical fiction novel The Artist in 2025. Set in 1920s Provence, the "psychodrama" follows three characters: English aspiring journalist Joseph Adelaide, the artist Édouard Tartuffe, and Tartuffe's niece Ettie. Steeds had been inspired her time living in France and her love of art history. The Artist won the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize and was named one of the best historical fiction books of 2025 by The Sunday Times. It was also shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction. It was chosen as the 2025 Waterstones Book of the Year. the judges describing it as "a novel which you don’t just read – you experience it with all your senses".
Personal life Steeds splits her time between Amsterdam and London. She has also lived in Paris and Singapore.
Accolades +YearAwardCategoryTitleResult 2025 Women's Prize for Fiction The Artist Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize Waterstones Book of the Year Barnes & Noble Discover PrizeBarnes & Noble Book of the Year2026Walter Scott Prize British Book Awards Debut Book of the Year Festival du premier romanShortlisted
References