Leading indie publisher launches Hashtag 2025 Competition to win book deal

Hashtag Press, co-founded in 2016 by award-winning author Abiola Bello (The Love Dare, Wild Magic, Only For The Holidays) and prize-winning book publicist Helen Lewis (Literally PR), has announced a new competition for the next big name in children’s fiction to win a traditional book deal.

Five years after the success of the original Hashtag 2020 Competition, which resulted in Yousra Imran’s bold and unforgettable novel, Hijab & Red Lipstick, being published during the pandemic, the publishing duo is on searching for a fresh, innovative, under-represented voice with an original story.

Abiola Bello says, “This is your chance to join bestselling authors and a prize-winning, small, female-led team to get your previously unpublished and debut children’s / middle grade novel traditionally published. We are seeking under-represented authors who are determined to kickstart a long and successful author career with the backing of an expert, passionate, hard-working team.”

Hashtag Press, the independent publishing house behind titles such as the Baller Boys series, the Emily Knight series, and The Twig Man, is offering a traditional publishing deal to the winner of Hashtag 2025, covering all production costs, with full marketing, PR, and sales support. But that’s not all – the winner will get the unwavering support of the Hashtag Press team who are fully committed to guiding the winning author in building their author brand, learning how to connect with readers through social media, and planning for a long-term writing career. The winner will be given free access to education and empowerment resources via LitPR (www.literallypr.com – which is the book marketing and author branding agency run by Hashtag Press co-director Helen Lewis) including The VAULT full of webinars and tutorials on marketing, PR and branding, as well as the DIY 10-part Author Brand Coaching Course (a package worth over £1500!).

Who is Hashtag 2025 for?

 A talented writer with an original, completed story (or very nearly completed) ready to take the next step between February 3rd and May 1st.

 Books that are diverse.

 We especially want to hear from someone under-represented in publishing who brings a fresh perspective to children’s fiction.

 A writer who is willing to learn and grow, embracing the demands of modern publishing, from social media to book promotion.

Helen Lewis says, “We’re looking for a story we feel we have to publish, one that needs to be told, and that we cannot put down. 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.”