THE PENGUIN WRITE NOW OPPORTUNITY - ENDS 30th MAY

You can define what it means to be an author


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.


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.

How do I apply?


As part of your application we'll ask you to tell us about your book. What's it called? What's it about? What makes it special?

We'll also ask you to send us up to 1,000 words – it could be the opening chapter, or a later section of your book which you’re particularly proud of. It's up to you.

In 250 words, we will also ask you to tell us how you meet our criteria.

Editors from across Penguin will assess your application, considering your writing talent and ability, as well as the originality of your story or idea.

"‘I grew up thinking people like me didn’t belong in books or on the bookshelves. The WriteNow programme was the invitation I needed to believe that voices like mine matter."


Published author and WriteNow alumnus Rashmi Sirdeshpande