This year we are looking exclusively for middle grade, chapter and picture books (books aimed at children aged 0-12). Please note, we are not accepting YA.
If you are working on a book that is not eligible for WriteNow, you can find more support on our Getting Published hub.
By focusing the programme on specific genres and age-ranges, we hope to better support writers with a tailored workshop and editorial programme.
We continue to focus WriteNow on specific genres in order to provide the best support we can to writers. Unfortunately, this means we are unable to say when we will focus on each genre.
No. We will work with you to prepare your manuscript towards publication but there is no guarantee you will be offered a publishing deal from Penguin.
Penguin are investing time and resource in the writers we'll be supporting through our year-long programme, and so we will ask you to give us the first option (i.e. first refusal) of publishing your book. This means that you must afford us the opportunity to bid for the publishing rights (which will include media rights) to your manuscript before approaching other publishers.
If another publisher makes you an offer first, you'll still need to give Penguin a fair chance to bid for your manuscript and discuss this with us before accepting another offer.
In the event that we cannot reach an agreement after 30 days of good faith negotiations, you'll naturally be entitled to take your manuscript elsewhere or take up any other offers you may have been made.
This first look for both Penguin only applies to writers who join the WriteNow editorial programme, and only on the book you're working on with us. You can view the terms and conditions here.
Yes, we cover travel costs for UK and Republic of Ireland-based writers to attend one-to-one meetings with their editor, so you can focus on developing your manuscript.
If you feel that your community, or your background, needs a stronger voice and a platform in publishing we would love to hear from you. This could include:
• If you identify as LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer)
• If you identify as Black, Asian or minority ethnic
• If you are disabled or have a long-term condition
• If you come from a socio-economically marginalised background, for example if you ever received free school meals or if you or your family have ever been on income support, homeless, or at risk of homelessness
• If you have or have ever had refugee status
We are not accepting applications from stand-alone illustrators. You are welcome to apply if you are both a writer and illustrator, but your application will be assessed solely on your writing.
No, not unless you want it to. Providing your application falls into the genre we’re looking for this year, it can be about whatever you want.
After applications have closed, we will publish a blog post giving an overview of common themes and general feedback from the editors involved in the assessment process. Unfortunately, we can’t give individual feedback to every applicant due to the volume of applications we receive.
If you are successful in your application and are shortlisted, you will receive personalised feedback on your work from one of our editors.
For more advice on how to strengthen your application, check out our top tips for applying for WriteNow.
If you are writing a picture book, you will need a finished book to apply. If you are shortlisted, we will then ask you for a second picture books text.
If you are writing a chapter or middle grade book, you don’t need to have a complete manuscript to apply. If you are shortlisted for the year-long editorial programme we will ask for a further 20,000 words of writing.
We are happy to receive applications from writers who have self-published or been published as part of an anthology. We are also happy to receive applications from writers who have been published in another format altogether such as a magazine or newspaper.
We are unable to accept applications from writers who have already had a book published by a commercial, non-academic publisher
Yes. The WriteNow application process, workshops, and editorial programme are all free to those taking part.
We recommend submitting your application using Google Chrome. Once your application is submitted , you should be directed to a thank you page. Please note that you will not receive a confirmation email. If you are not directed to the thank you page, email us at writenow@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk to confirm that we have received your application.
Yes. As WriteNow is being run by Penguin in the UK and ROI our programme is only open to UK and ROI residents. You don't need to have permanent citizenship — just a current and valid UK or ROI address.
If you are currently homeless or do not have a fixed address, but reside in the UK or ROI, please get in touch with the WriteNow team by emailing writenow@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk.
Initial applications
• This year's application window will open at 11am on Tuesday 28th October.
• Applications close at 11:59pm on Wednesday 7th January.
• All valid applicants will be invited to a webinar event to learn more about the publishing industry on Friday 30th January.
Shortlisting
• All shortlisted applicants will be contacted by Monday 23rd March. Picture book writers will be asked to submit a second picture book text and chapter, and middle grade writers will be asked to submit a 20,000-word submission by Friday 17th April.
• Shortlisted writers will be invited to a one-to-one feedback session in May.
Editorial Programme
• A final group of applicants will be invited to join the year-long editorial programme. They will be notified by Friday 29th May.
No. Each applicant may submit only one manuscript per cycle.
We will assess applications based on two factors:
• Quality of writing and originality: assessed by a Penguin editor
• Meeting our desired criteria: as part of your application, we'll ask you to tell us, in your own words, why you feel your voice is under-represented in books and publishing. Your answer will be assessed by a third-party writer development charity, together with members of our Human Resources team
We aren’t accepting applications from writers who have previously successfully applied and received personalised feedback from a WriteNow editor. This is to ensure that as many writers as possible have the opportunity to take part. If you have previously applied but were not shortlisted, longlisted, or joined the editorial programme, then you are welcome to apply again.
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