The Reading Agency launches call for submissions for Quick Reads 2025
The Reading Agency is pleased to announce that it is seeking publisher submissions for consideration for its life-changing 2025 Quick Reads programme.
Quick Reads are short, high-quality books that engage adult readers who lack reading confidence or have fallen out of the reading habit. They play a key role in getting the nation to read, especially those who find reading challenging. The challenge we face today is that one in three adults do not regularly read for pleasure and one in six adults find reading difficult. The titles are written by popular authors using accessible language and plots. And it works; over 5.3 million Quick Reads titles have been distributed since the program began in 2006.
This year, in addition to working with our existing publishing partners, The Reading Agency is also actively seeking submissions from SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) and independent publishers. This new development has been made possible with funding support from The Foyle Foundation. It will enable smaller independent publishers to take part in the programme for the first time by helping to remove some of the barriers that often prevent them from participating.
The final selection for Quick Reads 2025 will be made by a panel of experts including public and prison librarians, further education and workplace representatives, retailers and literacy experts. They will be looking for a range of genres, an inclusive and diverse mix of new and established voices but most importantly, great stories and content. All selected titles will be published and sold for £1 a copy, helping to make sure the books get into the hands of those that need them most in line with The Reading Agency’s mission to get everyone reading. Quick Reads are perfect for boosting reading skills, confidence and engagement. They can act as an entry point to different authors’ work in diverse genres, and have led to thousands of adults reading, completing, and enjoying a book for the first time.
Karen Napier, CEO, The Reading Agency says: “We want to showcase new stories from diverse voices and broaden the reach and appeal of Quick Reads. This is an exciting opportunity for all publishers, whatever their size, to widen their audience and support our mission of engaging new readers across the UK. We are also immensely grateful to our core funders, Hachette, and Penguin Random House for continuing to support this vital programme and to the Foyle Foundation for helping us to diversify our publisher partners in 2025.”
The deadline for submissions is 19 January 2024. Interested publishers can find more details and apply via The Reading Agency’s website, where they can find guidance on writing for emerging readers and information about Quick Reads and its audiences.
Publishers of all sizes who are passionate about literacy and widening participation in reading are encouraged to submit proposals for consideration. We ask larger publishers to cover some associated costs such as author advance, printing and production as part of their literacy strategy and CSR mission.
For more information or to discuss a submission, please contact Emma House at [email protected].
