Stories are being written every single day. By the early morning tweeters and lunch time lyricists, the midnight emailers and all day texters. Authors, hidden in plain sight. Authors, who don't even know they're authors yet. Authors like you.
You can define what it means to be an author
WriteNow is our award-winning programme which aims to find, nurture and publish new writers from communities under-represented on the nation's bookshelves.
WriteNow gives you the tools, information and access you need to get published.
It starts with just 1,000 words.
What does WriteNow offer?
- Free workshop on how to get published, held online
- One-to-one feedback on your writing from a Penguin editor
- Hear from published authors, literary agents and industry experts
- 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
- The chance to get your book published! We’ve already signed publishing deals with 10 writers discovered through WriteNow so far, with many more to come
- Open to any unpublished writers based in the UK and Ireland, who identify as coming from an under-represented background or community
Please use the tabs on the left to find out more about what's on offer, how to apply, key dates and FAQs.
Books published through WriteNow so far...
"Sometimes you need someone or something to empower you: to show you the truth of what you can be and that's what the WriteNow process did for me. I have gained strength from this process, and Penguin Random House has made me feel like I have a seat at the table."
Published author and WriteNow mentee Charlene Allcott
WriteNow: our impact at a glance
- 450 writers have attended 9 regional workshops on how to get published
- 98% said that taking part in the workshop increased their confidence as a writers
- Over a quarter of workshop participants went on to get their book published elsewhere
- 33 writers mentored by Penguin editors specialising in their genre
- 13 Penguin book deals with 10 writers discovered through the programme, and counting
Join the conversation online
Follow the conversation about WriteNow on Twitter @PenguinUKBooks.
We'll be using #DefineAuthor and #WriteNow throughout the campaign.
Apply now
We know that many people might be feeling overwhelmed at having to take the time to apply to WriteNow during the current protests against racial injustice which are unfolding in the US, the UK and around the world. As a result, we’ve extended the deadline for WriteNow to midnight on Tuesday 2nd June to give writers a little more time to prepare their applications. As recent events have shown, we need your voices now more than ever.
Please use Google Chrome to complete the application form. You should receive an automated email confirming we have received your application.
