Elen Caldecott Joins Hot Key Judging Panel

Elen Caldecott is to join the judging panel for the Guardian Hot Key Books Young Writers Prize.

Elen Caldecott is a Bloomsbury Children's Books authors whose titles include How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant.

Also on the panel are Guardian Children's Books editor Julia Eccleshare; bookseller and chair of the Children's Booksellers Association John Newman; and Hot Key Books publisher Emily Thomas. Schoolchildren will also be consulted by the panel to select the winners.

The prize is looking for unpublished writers between the ages of 18 and 25, who write in either for ages 9-12 or 13-19. The winners, one for each category, will be given editorial support and the chance to be published by Hot Key Books and an advance of £10,000. The winners will be announced at London Book Fair 2013.

Sarah Odedina, Hot Key Books m.d., said: “Hot Key Books is committed to publishing new authors and getting their novels into the hands of young readers everywhere. This competition is an exciting way of finding and encouraging new talent.”

Submissions close on 31st May.