WHO WE ARE

Hashtag BLAK is an imprint from Hashtag Press that will showcase the best under-represented voices. We want to read about love in all of its forms. We aim to make publishing fair, inclusive, representative and equal. We’ve received public funding from Arts Council England.

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Meet the team!

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Abiola Bello is an award-winning YA and middle grade author, Helen Lewis is a book publicist. Together, they founded publishing house Hashtag Press (www.hashtagpress.co.uk) and imprint Hashtag BLAK. They’ve since published best-selling books featured in Vogue, Loose Women, in the New York Times, The Guardian, BBC Radio and more. Hashtag Press won Publisher of the Year by The People's Book Prize in July 2020.

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Abiola was London Book Fair’s Trailblazer of the Year 2018, Carnegie-nominated in 2019 and won London’s BIG READ 2019. Her award winning  Emily Knight I am series has received critical acclaim and rave reviews. She is part of The Very Merry Murder Club, published by Farshore and received a 6 figure, 3 book deal with Simon & Schuster. Her debut YA book Love In Winter Wonderland is out now. ( www.a-bello.com) 

Abiola is represented by Gemma Cooper at The Bent Agency.

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Favourite Book - Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume or anything by Jane Green

Favourite Food - Jollof Rice, plantain or Chinese or Caribbean Dumplings (I just love a dumpling!)

Favourite Drink - Pina Colada

Connect with Abiola 

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Helen has been working in media, publishing and PR for almost 20 years. She founded award-winning publicity agency Literally PR (www.literallypr.com) in 2012, building on 11 years of journalism and PR experience.  

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Favourite Book - The Tiger Who Came To Tea by Judith Kerr or anything by Harlan Coben

Favourite Food - Cheese!

Favourite Drink - Viognier White Whine

Connect with Helen

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