Five writers shortlisted for the Mo Siewcharran Prize 

Hachette Children’s Group (HCG) has announced a shortlist of five writers for the Mo Siewcharran Prize.

Now in its fourth year, the Mo Siewcharran Prize is run as part of Hachette UK’s The Future Bookshelf and named in memory of Nielsen BookData’s former director of marketing and communications. The prize is sponsored by John Seaton, Mo Siewcharran’s husband and co-founder of the prize, and Nielsen BookData.

The prize aims to shine a light on unpublished fiction writers from Black, Asian, mixed heritage and minority ethnic backgrounds. This year, the prize is being hosted by HCG and has focused on writers and writer-illustrators in the picture book genre.

The shortlist was judged by HCG’s picture book development director, North, Emma Layfield, alongside literary agent Emily Talbot of United Agents, author Smriti Halls, illustrator Nila Aye, co-director of Round Table Books Meera Ghanshamdas, children’s book consultant Jake Hope, HCG’s editorial director, picture books and pre-school, Frances Elks and HCG’s art director, Izzy Jones. The winner and runner-up will be selected by the judges from the shortlisted entries.

The shortlist, in full is: 

• Ammamma’s Sewing Machine by Shanthy Milne
• Grandad’s Garden by Helen Kirby
• Kid Rex vs the Dastardly Dust Bunnies by Mayo Agard-Olubo
• The Doll that Could Not Play by Antoinette Brooks
• The Monster Chronicles by Phyllis Whitehead 

The winner will be announced at the prize ceremony on 28th September 2023 and will receive £2,500 prize money plus a detailed letter from an HCG picture book editor giving feedback on their entry (and, if artwork has also been submitted, feedback from a designer). They will also have introductory meetings with at least two different literary agents, an introductory session with HCG’s rights team, meetings with HCG’s marketing and publicity teams and a ticket to London Book Fair 2024. The winner’s entry will also be taken forward to an HCG’s acquisitions meeting and considered for publication with a competitive advance against royalties.

The runner-up will receive £1,500, plus a detailed letter from an HCG picture book editor giving feedback on their entry and a hamper of HCG books up to the value of £200. The writers of the shortlisted entries will be invited to attend a one-hour online picture book workshop with the HCG picture book team.