7 Shocking Reasons Why One More Chapter Publishing Just Won 'Imprint Of The Year 2025'
One More Chapter Publishing has officially cemented its status as a powerhouse in the commercial fiction world, riding a massive wave of success that culminated in the prestigious ‘Imprint of the Year’ award at The British Book Awards in 2025. This digital-first division of HarperCollins UK has redefined the modern publishing landscape, proving that innovation and a focus on reader-driven content can lead to extraordinary commercial results. Their model is a blueprint for the future, prioritizing speed-to-market and an agile response to emerging genre trends, such as the explosive growth of romantasy and cosy crime.
As of December 2025, the publisher continues to be one of the most exciting and accessible imprints for both established and debut authors, particularly those writing in high-demand genres like spicy romance and psychological thrillers. Their commitment to discovering new voices, including accepting direct submissions from un-agented writers, makes them a crucial entry point for aspiring novelists globally. This deep dive explores the core strategies, the staggering numbers, and the unique culture that propelled One More Chapter to the top of the industry.
The Phenomenal Rise: Key Business Pillars and Biography
One More Chapter (OMC) is not a traditional publishing house; it is an award-winning, digital-first division that operates under the massive umbrella of HarperCollins UK. This structure provides the best of both worlds: the agility and speed of a modern, digital operation, backed by the global marketing and distribution power of a "Big Five" publisher.
- Parent Company: HarperCollins Publishers UK (a subsidiary of News Corp)
- Imprint Focus: Digital-first commercial adult fiction, with a strong emphasis on e-book and audio formats.
- Launch Year: Established a few years ago (has beaten expectations since launching five years ago).
- Headquarters: London, UK (part of HarperCollins UK).
- Key Achievement: Winner of 'Imprint of the Year 2025' at The British Book Awards.
- Submission Status (2025): Currently open for submissions, including direct submissions from un-agented authors.
- Mission: To publish "unputdownable fiction"—page-turning books across commercial genres.
The imprint was specifically set up to "surf the digital wave," recognizing that consumer appetite for instantly accessible, high-quality genre fiction was growing exponentially. Their streamlined process allows them to acquire, edit, and release a title much faster than many traditional print-focused houses, a critical advantage in the fast-moving e-book market.
1. The Staggering Commercial Metrics That Secured the Award
The primary reason One More Chapter clinched the 'Imprint of the Year 2025' title was their undeniable commercial success. The numbers they presented to the judges at The British Book Awards were nothing short of remarkable, showcasing a level of revenue generation and author development rarely seen in a digital-first model.
The publisher demonstrated incredible financial health and author investment. A standout statistic revealed that seven of their authors generated more than £500,000 in revenue, a phenomenal achievement for a digital imprint. This level of success proves their ability to turn digital-first authors into major commercial brands.
Furthermore, their titles dominated the digital bestseller charts. Over 200 of their titles reached the e-book top 100, indicating a massive, sustained presence in the most competitive digital marketplace. Their strategy isn't based on a single hit but on a broad, deep catalogue of successful, high-performing books.
2. A Global Powerhouse for Genre Fiction
One More Chapter has a clear and decisive focus: commercial adult fiction. They are not chasing literary prizes; they are chasing the reader's insatiable desire for a book they simply "can't put down." This clarity of vision has allowed them to become specialists in key, high-volume genres, ensuring they are the top destination for readers of specific types of fiction.
The Core Genres Driving OMC's Success:
- Romance: This is a major pillar, encompassing everything from spicy romance and romantic suspense to romantic comedy and erotica. The imprint has successfully capitalized on the massive demand for diverse and engaging love stories.
- Crime & Thriller: Their digital-first approach is perfectly suited for the fast-paced nature of the thriller market, publishing gripping psychological thrillers, cosy crime, and domestic suspense.
- Historical Fiction: They publish compelling narratives, including historical sagas and other transportive stories that appeal to a broad audience.
- Romantasy and Fantasy: Recognizing the surge in popularity, OMC has been quick to acquire and successfully launch titles in the booming Young Adult (YA) romantasy and general fantasy markets, demonstrating their trend-spotting agility.
3. The Open Submissions Policy: A Debut Author's Dream
In a publishing world that often requires a literary agent to even be considered, One More Chapter stands out as a beacon for new talent. They maintain an open submissions policy, actively encouraging un-agented writers to submit their full manuscripts directly to the team.
This commitment to finding new voices has resulted in a massive influx of talent. The publisher proudly announced that 56 of their authors were "racking up sales," a clear indication that their open door is leading to commercial success for a diverse range of debut novelists. They are proving that an agent is not the only path to a major publishing deal.
Their active search for new writers extends to specific initiatives, such as offering 1-2-1 feedback sessions, showing a genuine desire to nurture and develop raw talent rather than just acquiring ready-made bestsellers.
4. The Power of the HarperCollins and News Corp Ecosystem
While One More Chapter operates with the lean, mean efficiency of a digital startup, it benefits immensely from being a global division of HarperCollins. This relationship provides crucial advantages that smaller digital publishers simply cannot match.
The backing of News Corp, one of the world's largest media conglomerates, and the support of HarperCollins Publishers means OMC titles have access to unparalleled marketing resources, global distribution networks, and the ability to seamlessly transition successful e-book titles into mass-market print and audio formats. This infrastructure is vital for scaling a digital hit into a worldwide bestseller.
5. The Strategic Focus on E-Book and Audio Formats
One More Chapter's success is rooted in its digital-first strategy. They understand that the modern reader, especially in the commercial fiction space, is often consuming content on a Kindle, a tablet, or via an audiobook app. By prioritizing these formats, they can:
- Reduce Time-to-Market: Get a book from final manuscript to reader's device in weeks, not months.
- Dynamic Pricing: Use flexible e-book pricing strategies to maximize sales and exposure on platforms like Amazon and Kobo.
- Global Reach: Instantly distribute titles worldwide without the logistical constraints of physical book shipments.
This nimble approach has allowed them to consistently outperform competitors in the digital space, making them a leading destination for digital bestsellers from authors across the globe.
6. Key Entities and Bestselling Authors Driving the Success
The imprint’s success is built on the talent of its diverse roster of authors. While the catalogue is extensive, the following individuals and genres represent the topical authority and breadth of One More Chapter's publishing strategy:
- Authors: Seth C. Adams, Malka Adler, Patricia Adrian, Foluso Agbaje, V. S. Alexander, Ingrid Alexandra, Ella Allbright, Lizzie Allen.
- Successful Genres: Romantic Suspense, Domestic Thriller, Cosy Crime, Historical Saga, Erotica, Romantic Comedy, Political YA Romantasy.
- Recent Catalogue Focus: Key titles in Romance, Romantasy, and Cosy Crime were featured in their 2024 catalogue, indicating a continued focus on these high-growth areas into 2025.
- Key Themes: Page-turning fiction, unputdownable stories, emotional depth, and high-stakes narratives.
7. The Future: Doubling Down on Digital Innovation
Winning 'Imprint of the Year 2025' is not an end point; it's a launchpad. One More Chapter is expected to double down on the strategies that brought them success. This includes aggressive acquisition in trending sub-genres, further investment in their digital marketing capabilities, and a continued commitment to their open submissions policy. For writers, the message is clear: if you have a high-concept, page-turning manuscript in a commercial genre, One More Chapter is arguably the most exciting and receptive publisher in the world right now.
The imprint is a living example of how digital publishing can be both innovative and immensely profitable, constantly challenging the established norms of the industry and providing a clear path to success for a new generation of writers.
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