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WriteNow

Every great book starts with an idea...

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 communities under-represented on the nation's bookshelves. The programme is designed to give participating writers the tools, information, and access needed to navigate the publishing industry and launch their career as a successful author. 

WriteNow is the ultimate boot camp for aspiring writers. I entered with a dream and left with a plan.

Charlene Allcott, author of The Single Mum's Wish List

This year's programme

This year's application window is now closed. Please sign up to the WriteNow newsletter to be the first to hear about the next round of applications.  

You can find more support on our Getting Published hub. 

Illustration of a writer in the middle of question marks and speech bubbles

Getting Published

The process of getting your first book published can often seem daunting. Even if you’ve completed the huge challenge of finishing your manuscript, it may feel difficult to know where to go next, or how to understand all the different components of the publishing process. Here, we’ve created a hub of information on everything around […]

FAQs

What does WriteNow offer?
  • A free workshop on how to get published, held online and open to all applicants
  • One-to-one feedback on your writing from a Penguin editor, for shortlisted applicants
  • The opportunity to hear from published authors, literary agents, and industry experts to understand the industry and pathways to publication
  • 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
How does WriteNow work?

WriteNow is open to any unpublished, unsigned writer based in the UK or Ireland, who identifies as coming from an under-represented background or community in publishing.

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 books that fall firmly within the fantasy, science fiction or horror genres.

To begin with, writers apply with 1,000 words of sample writing. At each stage of the assessment process, we will ask for more writing — first a further 5,000 words, and then up to 40,000 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.

WriteNow's impact at a glance
  • 850 writers have had one-to-one feedback on their manuscript from a Penguin editor
  • Over 1,000 writers have attended 11 regional or online workshops on how to get published
  • 62 writers have been mentored by Penguin editors specialising in their genre
  • 28 writers discovered through the programme have book deals and counting, 21 with Penguin and seven with other publishing houses.
  • Over a quarter of shortlisted writers went on to get their book acquired or published elsewhere
Join the conversation online

Follow the conversation about WriteNow on Twitter @PenguinUKBooks. We use the hashtag #WriteNow.

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