Gift-Buying Season Is Here… But What About You?

Gift-buying season is well underway, and no doubt many of you who celebrate Christmas have already bought most, if not all, of your gifts for others. But what about you?

Hear me out. Buying yourself pre-orders is technically like buying a gift for an author, and you get a present in 2026. Win-win.

---

---

---

Why Pre-Orders Matter (and Why They’re a Gift to Authors)

Pre-orders signal levels of demand to publishers and booksellers. This helps them feel more confident in a book, which can lead to increased marketing and more copies being made available to retailers.

Strong pre-order numbers also give your favourite authors a much better chance of landing on bestseller lists at launch. Pre-orders count towards first-week sales and are generally a strong indicator of a book’s success.

You can find out more about pre-orders after this list!

---

Black British Books to Pre-Order for 2026

Below are the books currently on my 2026 pre-order gift list (Black British Edition), listed in release date order.

---

1. Skate It Till You Make It by Refaro Faith Mazarura

Release date: 3 February 2026
Genre: Romance

‘The weather might be icy, but the tension is red-hot!‘

This festive ice hockey rom-com follows Ari and Drew, who meet on New Year’s Eve and expose their messiest secrets, safe in the knowledge that they’ll never see each other again. Until, of course, they do.

Expect fake dating, female athletes, and a friends-to-lovers dynamic that promises plenty of chemistry.

---

2. Love by the Book by Jessica George

Release date: 12 February 2026
Genre: Contemporary

‘This isn’t a romance. But it is about love.’

This feels like a book for anyone who’s ever wondered how to make friends as an adult. Remi and Simone are both navigating friendship and family break-ups and don’t initially hit it off when they meet in a bookshop. But fate has other ideas.

I loved Jessica George’s debut Maame for its relatability and sharp social commentary, and I’m very excited to see what emotional depths this new novel explores.

---

3. The Shadow Carver by Nadine Matheson

Release date: 12 February 2026
Genre: Crime, Thriller

‘A killer who cuts straight to the bone…‘

I didn’t read much crime fiction in 2025, but after reading Barley Sugar, I’m keen to explore the genre more in 2026. Word on the street is that Nadine Matheson is among the best.

This fourth book in the series follows Henley and her team as they investigate a string of killings connected to the murder of a convicted killer.

---

4. Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi

Release date: 26 February 2026
Genre: Fantasy, Historical

‘YOU KNOW MY NAME.
BUT YOU DO NOT KNOW ME.‘

This historical fantasy reimagines the life of Cleopatra, one of history’s most iconic figures. From the bestselling author of Faebound and The Final Strife, this promises a vivid portrayal of Ancient Egypt, powerful prose, and an unforgettable story.

---

5. A Dance of Burning Blades by M. H. Ayinde

Release date: 7 April 2026
Genre: Fantasy

‘A sweeping epic of revenge and rebellion.‘

If you’ve read my review of A Song of Legends Lost, you’ll know it was my favourite read of 2025. I absolutely cannot wait for the second book in the Invoker Trilogy.

With war, rebellion, and resentment gripping the Nine Lands, someone must reveal the stolen history that has shaped centuries of conflict. But how do you uncover secrets that powerful forces want buried?

---

6. Honey by Imani Thompson

Release date: 7 May 2026
Genre: Thriller, Literary

‘Comic, sexy, addictive, and unpredictable.‘

One of several exciting debuts coming in May, Honey is said to be perfect for fans of Butter, My Sister, the Serial Killer, Such a Fun Age, Luster, and Boy Parts.

When Yrsa accidentally kills a Cambridge professor by flicking a bee into his Sanpellegrino, she discovers that the feeling of control is rather pleasant.

---

7. Andromeda by E. S. McLeod

Release date: 14 May 2026
Genre: Fantasy

‘A powerful reclaiming of one of Greek mythology’s most whitewashed women.’

Andromeda is often remembered as a damsel in distress, bound and helpless, waiting for a male saviour. This retelling challenges that narrative.

The story follows Andromeda and Ceto, a servant of Poseidon sent to seal her fate. Instead, the two women are pulled into something far more passionate and dangerous than either anticipated.

---

8. Smallie by Eden McKenzie-Goddard

Release date: 28 May 2026
Genre: Contemporary

‘Smallie’: a Caribbean adjective meaning ‘small islander’.

I’ve already seen glowing early reviews of this novel across Instagram. Set against the Windrush era and the Windrush scandal, the story follows Lucinda, who arrives in England in 1961 searching for her son’s father.

Fifty years later, a letter from the Home Office prompts a search for the one person who holds the key to everything.

---

9. Queenie Is Working On It by Candice Carty-Williams

Release date: 2 July 2026
Genre: Contemporary

‘A hilarious and sharp look at modern womanhood.‘

Queenie was a smash hit in 2019 and even became a Channel 4 TV series. Now she’s back. Older, but not necessarily wiser.

This new instalment explores situationships, housing struggles, and surviving a workplace where the people at the top aren’t always the brightest.

---

10. The Life and Times of Ota Benga by J. J. Bola

Release date: 27 August 2026
Genre: Literary

I reviewed The Selfless Act of Breathing in 2023 and found it heartbreakingly lyrical and impossible to forget.

This novel is based on the real life of Ota Benga, a Congolese man who was caged as part of a human exhibit in a New York zoo in 1906. The story follows him from the very beginning of his journey, and I’ll definitely be preparing tissues for this one.

---

Looking for More Black British Books?

Did any of these titles catch your eye?

You can find these and hundreds more Black British titles on the Black British Book List, a free directory subscribers can download. It includes books from 2020 onwards and is updated regularly.

What books are you most looking forward to reading in 2026?

---

Pre-Orders: Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I pre-order books instead of waiting until release day?

Pre-orders help authors and publishers gauge demand early. Strong pre-order numbers can lead to better marketing support, wider availability in bookshops, and even a shot at bestseller lists, as pre-orders count towards first-week sales.

---

Do pre-orders really make a difference for authors?

Yes. Pre-orders are one of the clearest signals of reader interest. They help publishers decide print runs, promotional budgets, and whether to invest further in an author’s career. For many writers, especially Black British authors, pre-orders can be genuinely career-changing.

---

When will I be charged for a book pre-order?

Most retailers don’t take payment until the book is dispatched, which means you can support an author now without paying upfront. Always double-check your retailer’s policy, as this can vary. Rules may be different for gift cards, where the total is usually deducted immediately.

---

Are pre-orders counted as sales?

They are. Pre-orders are usually counted in the book’s first week of sales, which is why they play such a key role in bestseller rankings and launch momentum.

---

Where is the best place to pre-order books?

Independent bookshops are a great choice if you’re able to support them. Many offer pre-orders online and help keep diverse books visible on the high street. Major retailers also count towards sales and charts, and provide much needed visibility too, so the most important thing is choosing an option that works for you.

---

How can I discover more Black British books like these?

You can explore hundreds of titles on the Black British Book List, a free directory available to subscribers. It features books published from 2020 onwards and is updated regularly to help readers discover new and upcoming Black British authors.

---

Found this post useful? Thought of a topic you’d like to see featured on this blog? Leave a comment!

Black Brit Playlist on Spotify

Want some music to listen to while you wait for those pre-orders to come in? Check out our Black Brit playlist on Spotify!