“Penguin’s programme to find, nurture and publish new writers from communities under-represented on the nation’s bookshelves. Because books and publishing don’t reflect the society we live in, but they should.”
The Open University is excited to let you know about Write Now by Penguin Books. Penguin, one of the best-known publishing houses, is looking to diversify its roster of authors with this unique opportunity.
Penguin is seeking writers who feel under-represented in the UK publishing industry (this could include BAME, people with a disability, LGBTQ+, and the socio-economically marginalised) to submit 1000 words of their writing. Penguin has let us know that you do not have to be studying creative writing or the arts. You are also not obligated to write about being under-represented, your fiction or non-fiction could be about anything you like.
Those who submit their writing will be in with a chance to meet with industry professionals (online due to current events), after which a select few will be taken forward into a developmental relationship for a year, with a view to being published. Ten writers from this scheme have already been published, could you be next?
Due to the current public health situation the application deadline has been postponed back to Sunday 31 May, and previously in-person aspects of the scheme have been moved online. For those selected there will be a virtual event, scheduled for Saturday 11 July.
More information and to apply go to www.penguin.co.uk/writenow
For the latest updates on how we are supporting OU students during this challenging time, please see the Careers and Employability Services coronavirus (COVID-19) page on the Help Centre: https://help.open.ac.uk/ces-coronavirus-statement. Please be aware that although employers’ advertisements are correct when posted, they may be subject to change.
