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Indie publisher Hashtag Press launches competition for children’s book authors
The independent publisher Hashtag Press, which was co-founded by author Abiola Bello and book publicist Helen Lewis, has launched a competition to discover the next big name in children’s fiction.
Writers must submit an original, completed story – or nearly completed – by 1st May 2025, for the chance to win a traditional book deal that will cover all production costs and offer full marketing, PR and sales support.
The winner will also gain free access to educational resources via LitPR, the book marketing and author branding agency run by Hashtag Press co-director Lewis. The Press is looking for "fresh, fun and innovative" stories, and those under-represented in publishing are particularly encouraged to apply.
Young fiction submissions should be around 15,000 words, while middle-grade fiction should range between 40,000 and 50,000 words. Submissions should be sent to submissions@hashtagpress.co.uk and are not required to have illustrations or cover designs. They can also be submitted with a working title.
A shortlist will be announced on 2nd June, and the winner will be announced on 1st July, with the debut novel slated for publication in 2026.
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"We’re looking for a story we feel we have to publish, one that needs to be told, and that we cannot put down," Lewis said. "We want to find a writer ready to work hard on their author brand and book marketing, willing to build a community of readers around their work."
The launch of Hashtag 2025 comes five years after the success of the original Hashtag 2020 competition, which resulted in Yousra Imran’s Hijab and Red Lipstick being published during the pandemic.
"This is your chance to join bestselling authors and a prize-winning, small, female-led team to get your previously unpublished and debut children’s/middle grade novel traditionally published," Bello added. "We are seeking under-represented authors who are determined to kickstart a long and successful author career with the backing of an expert, passionate, hardworking team."
