Lucy Steeds
Lucy Charlotte Steeds is an English writer. Her debut historical fiction novel The Artist won the Waterstones [Debut Fiction Prize] and Waterstones [Book of the Year].
Early life
Steeds grew up in a middle-class family in North London and attended Channing School. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Jesus College, Oxford in 2015 and then completed a Master of Arts in World literatures. She joined the Faber Academy and the London Library's Emerging Writers programme.Career
Steeds was a second place finalist for the 2022 Moniack Mhor Emerging Writer Award.In 2024, John [Murray (publishing house)|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".