Libraro and Hachette launch £50,000 reader-led writing prize

Libraro, in partnership with Hachette UK, has launched a £50,000 writing prize that lets readers select the shortlist from submitted manuscripts and rewards participating readers with cash prizes. Writers upload full manuscripts to the Libraro platform and readers champion their favourites to create a shortlist of six books.

The competition is open to adult and crossover YA fiction written in English. The overall winner will receive a £50,000 prize package from Libraro — comprising £30,000 and an additional £20,000 towards marketing the finished book — alongside a book deal with Hachette UK. Two additional reader prizes of £10,000 each will be awarded: one to the reader who referred the winning author to the platform and another to the reader who engages most actively with submissions.

Judges who will select the overall winner from the reader-generated shortlist include Elly Griffiths, Deborah Maclaren and book blogger Zubs J Malik. The prize is run with Hachette UK and LoveReading and supported by organisations including the Frontline Club, New Writing North and The Reading Agency.

David Roche, chairman of Libraro, said the prize was created to "put power in the hands of writers and readers".

Key Topics

Culture, Libraro, Hachette Uk, Elly Griffiths, Deborah Maclaren, Lovereading