Hazel studied for her MA in Publishing at Oxford Brookes University and returned to Preston to work as the Children’s Book Specialist for Borders. After the company went into administration she was employed by Askews and Holts Library Services as the Children’s Buyer in 2009, supplying libraries across the country with the very best children’s books on the market. Hazel now manages the design, editing and production process with the help of a small freelance team at UCLan Publishing. She oversees both the Children’s and Adult Fiction departments. She produces schedules for every stage of the process and sets the commercial and editorial direction for the business. With over 16 years experience in publishing she is keen to support northern voices. She also coordinates The Northern YA Literary Festival.
Northernlit is a small literary agency located in the North West of England, proudly representing writers based in the North. Our mission is to see northern talent represented across publishing.
From UCLan Publishing’s website: Welcome to UCLan Publishing and a very different approach to publishing books! We are a trade, independent publisher based in Preston, Lancashire. We continually strive to produce the best books in every genre from Early Years and upwards, and we’re 100% dedicated to putting Northern Publishing on the map. Publisher of commercial books through from Early Years to Adult Fiction.
Hazel specializes in looking for Northern talent but as a representative of both an agency and a publishing house she will also be looking across all backgrounds for PitchHero. Hazel has experience publishing in all age groups from Picture Books right through to Commercial Adult Fiction, so this is a rare and golden opportunity to get your pitch in front of an agent and publisher at the same time.
Pitching will open on 1st July at 00:01 AM and will close on 7th July at 11;59 PM. Hazel will then assess the pitches and choose which ones she would like to see more of before the end of July. She will also provide some general feedback once judging has closed.