£50,000 ‘reader-led’ writing prize launched

A new £50,000 writing prize that allows readers to select the shortlist from submitted manuscripts – and rewards them with cash prizes for their involvement – has been launched by the publishing platform Libraro, in partnership with Hachette UK.The Libraro prize aims to “sidestep the traditional barricades of the book industry”, according to organisers. Writers upload full manuscripts to the Libraro platform, where readers champion their favourite entries to create a shortlist of six books.It is open to adult and crossover YA fiction written in English and is designed to give readers a role in discovering new writing talent.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 also 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 selecting the overall winner from the reader-generated shortlist include bestselling thriller author Elly Griffiths; Deborah Maclaren, chief executive of book recommendation platform LoveReading; and book blogger Zubs J Malik. The prize is run in partnership 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”. It’s announced amid a broader boom in self-publishing, which in the last few years has seen several self-published authors breakthrough to huge mainstream success, including Colleen Hoover and Freida McFadden.The competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over, worldwide, regardless of previous publishing history or professional representation. Entrants will have the chance to receive constructive feedback from readers, while shortlisted authors will be given professional support to help them package and format their manuscripts before they are assessed by the judges.Maclaren said the prize reflected a shared belief that “readers shape culture”. She added: “Through this competition, readers are not just participating in a single prize, but are part of a wider publishing ecosystem,” helping to “expand the range and diversity of books that reach publication.”Entries open on 19 January and close on 15 February, with reader engagement running from 19 February to 20 March. The shortlist will be announced on 21 April, and the winner revealed on 13 May.