By Erin L. Cox, Publisher | @erinlcox
Yesterday, The Libraro Prize was launched with a goal to “break down the barriers of the traditional publishing process.” This new prize, which is a partnership between the community-driven digital platform Libraro, traditional publisher Hachette UK, and book recommendation platform LoveReading, offers a new way for writers to share their work while also giving readers the opportunity to weigh in on which books should be shortlisted.“By partnering with Hachette UK, we’re combining the reach and expertise of a world-class publisher with a genuinely democratic, reader-led discovery process,” said David Roche, Chairman of Libraro.
“With support from LoveReading’s engaged community, we’re establishing a new pathway for stories to be found, supported and shared. We are excited to embark on this journey and uncover a new voice and ground-breaking bestseller.”
In order to participate, writers must upload their full manuscripts to the platform between today and February 16 when the submissions close. Then, readers get to vote for the submissions they want to see published, resulting in a shortlist of six projects.
The judging panel, which will be tasked with reading the shortlisted manuscripts, include author Elly Griffiths; Deborah Maclaren, Chief Executive, LoveReading; and award-winning book blogger, Zubs J. Malik.
The Libraro Prize is open to any writer of fiction for adults (including crossover YA) who is over the age of 18 and writes in English. The writer does not need to live in the UK.
The winning author will receive a prize of £50,000 from Libraro and a book deal with Hachette UK, with a portion of the prize money going towards marketing for the book once it’s published.
In addition, there will be two Reader Prizes awarded. Each prize is worth £10,000. The first prize will be given to the reader who refers the winning author to the platform, and the other will be given to the reader who participates most actively with the submissions.
“At LoveReading, we share Libraro’s belief that readers shape culture,” said Deborah Maclaren, Chief Executive at LoveReading. “Through this competition, readers are not just participating in a single prize but are part of a wider publishing ecosystem: discovering new voices, signaling resonance and helping to expand the range and diversity of books that reach publication.”
This prize heralds a trend that is happening throughout the industry, as readers are becoming more engaged and vocal in what books they want to see published.
The shortlist will be announced on April 21, with the overall winner announced on May 13. For more information on the prize, click here.