Enter Hashtag 2025

"Discovering the Next Big Voice in Children’s Fiction"

Are you the next big name in Children’s fiction? Award-winning indie publishing house Hashtag Press is on the hunt for a fresh, innovative, under-represented voice with an original story. This is your chance to join bestselling authors and a prize-winning publishing team to get your debut novel traditionally published. We are looking for diverse stories with special interest in under-represented authors who are determined to kickstart a long and successful author career with the backing of an expert, passionate, hard-working team.

The winner of Hashtag 2025 will receive a comprehensive publishing deal, including full editorial support, production, marketing, PR, and sales. But that’s just the start – we’re committed to guiding the winner 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 (worth over £1500!).

We’re looking for a story we feel we have to publish, and a writer ready to work hard on their author brand and book marketing, willing to build a community of readers around their work. In 2020, we launched Hashtag 2020 and published the winner Yousra Imran’s bold, unforgettable novel Hijab & Red Lipstick.

Who are we looking for?

A talented writer with an original, completed story (or very nearly completed)
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.
UK and Ireland only.

What's the word count?

Young fiction: 15,000-20,000 words.

Middle-Grade fiction: 40,000 to 55,000 words.

How the Competition Works

1. Submissions
Open from February 3rd to May 1st, 2025.

Entrants must submit via email and as attachments (PDF or word) via submissions@hashtagpress.co.uk with the subject heading HASHTAG20205:

An author bio (with links to socials/website, or a statement demonstrating their willingness to learn).
A 1-page, clear, well-written synopsis of the story.
A cover letter including:

Recent comp authors and books – where would your book sit on the bookshop shelf?
A statement about where they see their author career in five years.
Who are your top three authors/books and why?

The first 30 pages of the manuscript.

2. Shortlisting

A shortlist will be announced June 2nd 2025.
Shortlisted authors will be invited to meet the team and to submit the full manuscript to proceed.

3. Winner Announcement
The winner will be announced on September 1st, 2025.

4. Publication Timeline

The winner will work closely with the Hashtag Press team on editing and production throughout 2025.
The debut novel will be published in H1 2026.

What We’re Offering

The winner will receive:

A traditional publishing deal.
A tailored marketing and PR campaign, including:
- Social media promotion.
- Outreach to reviewers and influencers.
- Author events and appearances.
Mentorship in building an author brand and engaging with readers.
Long-term opportunities for future book deals.

What We Expect from Entrants

The winning author will need to:

Be willing to engage actively in marketing and promotion, including using social media – before, during and after the book launch.
Meet deadlines

Judging Criteria

Submissions will be judged on:

Originality: Is the story fresh, innovative, and compelling?
Voice: Does the writer have a unique, authentic voice that will resonate with readers?
Under-representation: Does the author have an under-represented background or experience? Is the story itself diverse and inclusive?
Potential: Does the manuscript have the potential to become a commercial bestseller with the right support?
Writing: Are there strong writing skills? Is this going to be a page-turning book?

DM or Tweet us at @hashtag_press

#Hashtag2025

Terms and Conditions

1. General Information

1.1. The Hashtag Press 2025 Children's Book Competition ("the Competition") is organised by Hashtag Press Limited ("the Organiser").
1.2. The Competition is open to unpublished or self-published children's book authors aged 18 and over at the time of entry.

1.3. Submission dates: Feb 3 2025 to May 1 2025 (inclusive).

Entries submitted after the closing date will not be accepted.

1.4. By entering the Competition, entrants agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

2. Eligibility

2.1. The Competition is open to individuals worldwide.

2.2. Manuscripts must be for a young children’s book targeting the 5–8 age group or middle-grade age group 8-12.

2.3. Entrants must submit original works only. The manuscript must not infringe any third-party intellectual property rights.

2.4. Co-authored entries are permitted, but all co-authors must provide consent to enter.

2.5. Employees of Hashtag Press, associated partners, or anyone connected with the judging of the Competition are not eligible to enter.

3. How to Enter

3.1. Submissions must be made online through the Hashtag Press website following the submissions guidelines by the stated deadline.

4. Judging Process

4.1. The judging panel will consist of the Hashtag Press team.

4.2. Entries will be judged on diversity and inclusion, creativity, originality, storytelling, and market potential.

4.3. The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence or discussion regarding the judging process will be entered into.

5. Prizes

5.1. The winner will receive a traditional publishing contract with Hashtag Press, including full editorial, design, and production support.

5.2. The winner will also receive mentorship and marketing guidance to develop their author brand.

6. Winner Notification

6.1. The shortlisted authors will be notified by email on Jun 2 2025. Shortlisted authors will be invited to attend a Zoom call (video call) with at least one member of the Hashtag Press team within 3 weeks of the shortlist announcement. The shortlisted authors will need to submit the full manuscript at this stage.

6.2. The winner will be announced on Sept 1 2025 publicly through Hashtag Press's official channels, including its website and social media platforms.

6.3. If the winner cannot be contacted within 14 days of the notification, the Organiser reserves the right to select an alternative winner.

7. Intellectual Property Rights

7.1. The copyright and intellectual property of all submissions remain with the author.

7.2. The winner will enter into a publishing agreement, which will specify intellectual property arrangements for publication.

8. Data Protection

8.1. Personal data collected during the entry process will be processed in accordance with the Organiser’s Privacy Policy https://www.hashtagpress.co.uk/privacy-policy

8.2. Contact information will be used only for the administration of the Competition unless otherwise agreed by the entrant.

9. Liability

9.1. The Organiser accepts no responsibility for entries that are lost, delayed, or corrupted during transmission.

9.2. The Organiser will not be liable for any loss, damage, or injury resulting from participation in the Competition.

9.3. The Organiser reserves the right to amend or cancel the Competition at any time without prior notice.

10. Publicity

10.1. By entering the Competition, entrants agree to participate in promotional activities related to the Competition, including the publication of their name, photograph, and information about their submission on Hashtag Press's official channels.

10.2. The winner and shortlisted authors may be required to participate in interviews or promotional events.

11. Governing Law

11.1. These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

11.2. Any disputes arising out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.