Meet the Team
Ascent Children's Book Prize Judge
Ascent Novel Prize readers are looking forward to receiving your work. Our initial assessment team consist of readers and authors from across the industry. Our judging panel will consist of one agent and one senior commissioning editor.
At Ascent Novel Prize, it is important that your work is evaluated by a range of professionals. The judging panel select the winner from a hard-won shortlist. This writing competition ensures every story is read with care.
Following the selection of the winner, our panel meet one last time to award the highest scoring writers from under-represented backgrounds. These awards are sponsored by a range of wonderful writers and businesses.
Hannah Sheppard
Literary Agent
Hannah Sheppard Literary Agency
I started my career in-house in the editorial department, first at Macmillan Children’s Books and then running the YA list at Headline (part of Hachette). This gives me valuable insight into the workings of a publishing house which helps inform my work as an agent.
In 2013 I switched from editorial to agenting when I realised that would give me more time to focus on the parts of the job that I really love – working directly with authors to develop their ideas for commercial success.
After ten years at the DHH Literary Agency I decided to launch the Hannah Sheppard Literary Agency with the aim of being part of the change publishing so desperately needs.
I love stories and I want to make sure that as many fantastic stories from as diverse a range of authors as possible end up on our bookshop shelves. I want to be entertained while also deeply caring about your characters. I love bold, distinctive voices, strong and unique hooks and flawed characters with something to learn. I’m looking for joyful representation and books that show us what a kinder, more just world might look like so that we can show each other what to work towards. I also like big, mind-bending ideas and combinations of genres that feel fresh and create something new.
The best advice I can give to authors at the beginning of their career is that it’s a marathon not a sprint and to keep putting your work out there because it only takes one yes but if you’re avoiding the no then you’ll never find the yes. Keep writing and write the book that only you could write because your voice and your story matters.
Ascent Children's Book Prize Readers
Cate Haynes
Cate Haynes is neurodivergent, a Speech and Language Therapist in schools, and is the author of the middle-grade, magical fantasy THE SPELL WHISPERER, which won the Write Mentor CNA in 2023 and is publishing with Moon and Bird in 2027.
A voracious reader herself, she loves a strong hook, a memorable voice, and a standout first line.
Prior to finding her agent, Cate entered many competitions for novels, flash fiction and poetry and learned from each and every one. She focusses on giving kind, supportive, and useful feedback and can’t wait to read your entry.
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Yasmin Rahman
Yasmin Rahman is a YA author whose books focus on friendship, and the British Muslim experience.
She’s very excited to be part of the Ascent Novel Prize and is looking forward to reading submissions filled with emotion and perchance a smidge of humour.
She has two masters degrees in Creative Writing, and from them she’s learned that the best advice is to write the thing you want to read, the book you wish existed. The thing that will shine in your entries is the passion and dedication you’ve poured into it.
Adebola Rayo
Heashot and bio coming soon!
Dee Benson
Dee Benson is the author of GLOW UP, LARA BLOOM, WORK IT, LARA BLOOM, and DAMIEN IKE AND THE FALLEN HOUSE OF DRAVEN.
She is currently a PhD student at the University of Liverpool, researching representation in YA fiction.
Dee is thrilled to be part of the Ascent Children's Book Prize and can't wait to discover fresh, authentic voices in teen fiction. She is looking forward to reading stories that feel honest and don't shy away from complexity. She wants characters she can root for, worlds she can get lost in, and stories that stay with her long after she’s finished reading.
Dee landed her literary agent through a competition and encourages writers to take the leap and share their work. You never know which opportunity will change everything.