We believe that everyone should be able to see themselves and their communities authentically reflected in the books they read.
WriteNow is Penguin’s award-winning programme to seek out, nurture, and publish new writers from under-represented communities in UK and Irish publishing. The programme is designed to give participating writers the tools, information, and access needed to navigate the industry and launch their career as a successful author.
For the 2027 programme, we're looking for writers working on fiction books for children aged 7-12.
To apply we'll ask for a 250-word written synopsis, as well as a writing sample (max 3,000 words).
This year, WriteNow is open to children’s (7-12) fiction writers from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds and/or lower socio-economic backgrounds. Applicants will be asked to self-identify as meeting the eligibility criteria as part of the application process.
Writers must also:
For more information about programme eligibility, please visit our FAQ page.
Application Deadline: 10th January 2027
A free workshop on how to get published, held online and open to all applicants.
The opportunity to hear from published authors, literary agents, and industry experts to understand the industry and pathways to publication.
Feedback on your writing from a Penguin editor, for shortlisted applicants.
The chance to join our year-long programme, matching you with an editor to offer expert support and advice while you work on your book.
Each year the programme focuses on specific genres of writing to ensure we can provide specific and tailored support to applicants as they work on their manuscripts. This year we are specifically looking for writers working on children’s books for ages 7-12.
To begin with, writers apply with a sample of their writing and synopsis. Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to a second stage of the assessment process where we will ask for more of your writing (up to 20,000 words).
A final handful of writers will join the year-long editorial programme where they are matched with an editor to work on their book.
This year, WriteNow is open to children’s (7-12) fiction writers from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds and/or lower socio-economic backgrounds. You do not need to be part of both communities to be eligible.
The programme is specifically designed to support writers from backgrounds that are under-represented in publishing and places are limited, so please consider the eligibility criteria carefully and only apply if they reflect your background. Applicants will be asked to self-identify as meeting the eligibility criteria as part of the application process.
What do we mean by lower socio-economic background?
The Social Mobility Commission recommends the occupation of your main household earner, when you were aged 14, as the best available measure of socio-economic background. We ask applicants to use this as the main measure when considering whether the lower socio-economic background criterion applies to them.
As a guide, please consider whether, at age 14, the main earner in your household:
We know that socio-economic background is complex and that parental occupation may not reflect everyone’s circumstances. If the categories above don’t reflect your background, but you were eligible for free school meals or have experience of the care system, you are also eligible to apply.
This year we are looking exclusively for books aimed at children aged 7-12. When thinking about if your book is suitable for this age group you may find it helpful to read this article or to explore the following comparative titles:
Ages 5-7
Witchy Boo by Arden Jones and Saoirse Lou
Dino Racers by Andy Day
Isadora Moon by Harriet Muncaster
Ages 7-9
Sleepovers by Jacqueline Wilson
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Anisha, Accidental Detective by Serena Patel
Grimwood by Nadia Shireen
Rap Kid by MC Grammar
Ages 9-12
The Swifts by Beth Lincoln
The Secret of Haven Point by Lisette Auton
City of Stolen Magic by Nazneen Ahmed Pathak
The Night I Borrowed Time by Iqbal Hussain
Wonder by R J Palacio
Please note, we are not accepting YA.
Got more questions? You can find additional answers on our FAQ page here.
Since 2016, over 100 books have been published by WriteNow alumni. Amongst those is Nazneen Ahmed Pathak’s City of Stolen Magic – an epic fantasy adventure set in India in 1855.
To celebrate 10 years since Nazneen joined our inaugural WriteNow cohort, we took a trip to meet a group of students studying her debut novel at Blue Coat School in Coventry. Supported by Penguin’s Lit in Colour resources, Blue Coat School have introduced City of Stolen Magic as a library text for their KS3 students.
From first ideas and early drafts to finished books finding their way into readers’ hands, we’re proud to have played a part in so many writing journeys and to have seen WriteNow authors go on to build exciting careers – at Penguin and beyond.
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