Getting a book published can be challenging. I’m sure any of you aspiring authors have discovered this for yourself already. For my first novel, “When America Sneezes,” I sent it to around a dozen literary agents. Only three even deemed to reply. You will guess by my decision to self-publish that all three replies were negative.
I don’t blame anyone but myself for this. I know it’s no great work of fiction and I really hope to improve my writing in future.
However, in my short existence in this new world of books and writing, I’ve discovered that there are more ways to skin a cat than the traditional route. Through websites, competitions and literary magazines, there are many other ways to get your work seen.
Therefore, I’ve decided to list some of these sources for you below. I hope this will save you from trawling through the internet to get your work published.
If any of you have further publishers, mags or competitions, please drop me a line, and I’ll include them.
Links to writing competitions and help sites
| Penguin – Murky Books #Merky Books is an award-winning imprint launched in 2018 by Stormzy and Penguin Random House UK with a clear ambition to publish books that will own – and change – the mainstream. | Penguin – Write now 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. | Loud Coffee Press Loud Coffee Press is an independent literary press that produces a quarterly literary magazine that’s hot, loud and buzzes without caffeine – not to say that we don’t love our caffeine. |
| The Federation of Writers – Scotland Our specific aim is to provide opportunities for writers at all stages of their careers and development to associate, learn and develop together, through performance, development activities, events, publications and the general celebration of of Scottish writing across genres and all three of Scotland’s languages, English, Gaelic and Scots. | Edinburgh Awards Celebrating the best short fiction, non-fiction and young adult novels and graphic novels by writers and illustrators worldwide. | Duotrope Links to writing competitions, agents, publishers and literary magazines. |
| F(r)iction Magazine F(r)iction is a literary anthology carefully curated to evaluate an important cultural topic from vastly different perspectives. From historical origins and nonfiction essays to the wildest reaches of fiction, poetry, comics, and art, each issue inspires us to think differently. | Crossroads and Consequence Writing Competition 2025 | Readsy Prompts weekly short story competition |
| Jericho Writers Publishing help | Hot Pot Magazine Hot Pot Magazine is an online literary arts magazine featuring work that bridges communities closer. We are passionate about searing pieces, still steaming. | Lemontree Writers A writing group that is based in Aberdeen, Scotland |
| Dark Peninsula Press An Independent Publisher of Speculative Fiction | The Scottish Literary Review Founded in 1970, the Association for Scottish Literature is an educational charity that aims to promote the study, teaching and writing of Scottish literature, and to further the study of the languages of Scotland. | Readsy writing competitions list 2025 A list of short story competitions |
| Pure Slush Publications Currently seeking city based poetry and prose | Naty’s book blogger help Hints and tips for book bloggers | Write the World Writing news and competitions for teenagers |
| Michael Joseph writer’s competition Win a book deal and the chance to be published by Penguin Michael Joseph | Granite Noir writing competition 2025 Granite Noir is inspired by the incredible popularity of crime fiction in all its forms, by the fantastic contribution that Scottish writers make, by our love affair with Nordic Noir, on the page and on screen, and most of all inspired by Aberdeen, which is the perfect backdrop for the festival – steeped in history, atmospheric, quirky and with a strong sense of place. | RNIB library Audible books for the blind and low vision community |
| New Writers UK A fantastic writing resource for writers and poets | Neon Magazine one of the longest-running independent literary magazines in the UK. It is supported entirely by its readers: no adverts, no sponsors, no public funding – just a community of people who all enjoy the same kind of weird literature. | UK Writers College A list of UK writing competitions and publications |
The New Shetlander magazine Magazine appears to be closed currently to submission | Gutter Literary Magazine Gutter is Scotland’s leading literary magazine, publishing new fiction, essays and poetry. We showcase emerging and established writers from Scotland and beyond, whose work will challenge, move and enliven our readers. | Almond Press writing competition list 2025 A list of writing competitions |
| The Book Network UK Whether you love to read, run a book club or are an author looking for help, we have something for everyone. | Interpret Magazine We showcase the best new writers in Scotland alongside poems, stories, and interviews from around the world. Authors featured in Interpret include winners of the International Booker Prize, the UK Gold Medal for Poetry, the US National Book Award, and the Edwin Morgan Poetry Award, Scotland’s most prestigious prize for young poets. | Aaron Mullins – Help for authors This writing competitions list will give you a huge number of competitions for authors to enter. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or an aspiring author eager to showcase your literary prowess, then you are in the right place. I have curated a list of the best writing competitions that offer authors the perfect platform to shine. Whether you’re into crafting compelling short stories, weaving enchanting poetry, or diving into novel-length narratives, there’s something for everyone. |
| Bridge House Publishing (UK) The site offers valuable services to writers and they also hold regular writing competitions | Moonflake magazine Moonflake Press was born from the love of writing and the desire to read more magical, scientific, sexual, funny and horrifying words. We want to read the work you’ve spent months on and the work you wrote half an hour before sending to us. | Black Hair Press Submit dark stories or horror to their Dark Moments monthly magazine |
| The Dark Horse Magazine A poetry publication The Dark Horse was founded in 1995 by the Scottish poet Gerry Cambridge. It is an international literary magazine committed to British, Irish and American poetry, and is published from Scotland. | The Toulmin Prize Short story competition | The National Poetry Centre |
| Jenny Brown Literary Agents Literary agent oin Scotland but open to submissions from around the globe. They run writing competitions from time to time | Moniack Mhor Moniack Mhor is Scotland’s National Writing Centre. Based in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, we run courses in a range of genres tutored by some of the finest authors in the UK and beyond. With workshops and one to one tutorials, our courses provide an atmosphere to fully immerse yourself in your writing. The centre also offers writing retreats providing time and space, free from distractions, where you will find yourself part of a nurturing writing community. Other support offered by Moniack Mhor includes awards, bursaries, professional residencies to develop works in progress and a programme for young writers. | The British Science Fiction Association If you are interested in Science Fiction, then you’ve come to the right place. The British Science Fiction Association’s mission is to support and promote SF in all its forms. We’re glad you’ve found us. |
| Taylor and Francis “New Writers” creative writing publication New Writing: The International Journal for the Practice and Theory of Creative Writing is a leading international journal in the field of Creative Writing Studies and publishes both critical and creative work | Association for Scottish Literature Founded in 1970, the Association for Scottish Literature is an educational charity that aims to promote the study, teaching and writing of Scottish literature, and to further the study of the languages of Scotland. | Abridged Magazine Abridged aims to publish and exhibit contemporary/ experimental poetry plus contemporary art. We encourage poets/artists to investigate the articulation of ‘Abridged’ themes. These themes focus on contemporary concerns in a rapidly changing society. We are offering an alternative and complete integration of poetry, art and design. We experiment continually. We also stray into the exhibition format producing contemporary, innovative and challenging work accompanied by a free publication. |
| Allegro Poetry Magazine Allegro Poetry Magazine is a UK based online magazine. It is published twice a year. It is edited by British poet, Sally Long. Sally has a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Exeter. Allegro Poetry Magazine aims to publish the best contemporary poetry. The March issue is for general poems and the September issue is for poems on a set theme. | Anthropocene Magazine Anthropocene is an online poetry journal. We are a welcoming space for poetry and translations from any language. We publish new poems every Wednesday and Sunday. | Confluence Magazine Confluence was first published in August 2016 as a limited edition Risograph printed A4 zine, Issue 2 was produced as an online only version linked to our regular text-art project ‘An Assemblance of Judicious Heretics’, then two more Risograph printed issues, (3 and 4), were produced. |
| Between These Shores Between These Shores Books (BTS) is staffed by a team of professionals in their respective fields, all connected in some way with varied literary and arts genres. We are totally non-profit making, relying on personal donations and the sales of Between These Shores Literary & Arts Annual magazine, which are used strictly for the publication of further books and magazines. Occasionally a portion may be also be donated to certain literary and arts projects, such as art scholarship funding. | The Letter review The Letter Review Prize – Now Open The Prize is awarded every three months in the categories of Short Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Books.We offer a yearly Prize pool of $16,000 USD, and publication for our winners. | Open Pen Open Pen is a publisher specialising in short fiction. We have a free print magazine available and will be publishing other stories by our print authors online. We also publish our series of ‘novelettes’: a little book somewhere between a short story and a novella |
| Indigo Dreams Publishing Founded in 2009, Indigo Dreams is a much-loved and award-winning independent publisher who were voted ‘Most Innovative Publisher’ in the Saboteur Literary Awards 2021 and 2017, the only publisher in its history to have won the accolade twice. | Creative Aberdeen The Creative Funding programme offers cultural organisations with not for profit status, community groups, charities and individual artists or creatives the opportunity to apply for support to develop and/or deliver creative activity | Inverness Creative Academy Inverness Creative Academy is the Highlands’ first major creative hub. It offers working accommodation for artists and makers, creative industries, social enterprises and charities. |
| The Literature Hub A weekly behind-the-scenes dive into everything interesting, dynamic, strange, and wonderful happening in literary culture—featuring Lit Hub staff, columnists, and special guests! Hosted by Drew Broussard. | Carnegies Writing Awards Children’s and Young Adult fiction The Carnegies are the UK’s longest running and best-loved children’s book awards, recognising outstanding reading experiences created through writing and illustration in books for children and young people. | Granta Magazine and book publishers Granta magazine and Granta Books share a remit to discover and publish the best in new literary fiction, memoir, reportage and poetry from around the world. |
| Litro Magazine Since 2005, Litro has championed literature, arts, and technology—publishing bold, creative voices that inspire cross-cultural conversations and spark global connections. From emerging talents to Nobel laureates, we bring the timeless power of storytelling to a global stag | PNR Magazine Since we started as Poetry Nation, a twice-yearly hardback, in 1973, we’ve been publishing new poetry, rediscoveries, commentary, literary essays, interviews and reviews from around the globe. | After Happy Hour The Hour After Happy Hour was founded in October 2013 by a group of creative writers who met in the basement of the Big Idea Bookstore every other week to encourage each other’s craf |
| Apex Magazine We are an independent publisher of exemplary works of dark fiction from a diverse collection of talented writers. Our publishing directive can be summarized in four words: Strange, Surreal, Shocking, and Beautiful. We produce books that will open your mind to worlds beyond ours, expand your way of thinking, and take you on a journey. | Fall Into Fantasy Magazine Fall Into Fantasy 2025 is now open for submissions. This yearly all fantasy sub genre collection releases in September each year. | GCWA writing competitions 2025 GCWA is holding micro fiction competitions throughout 2025 instead of a longer short story competition. |
| Prism International literary magazine PRISM international is a literary magazine located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm people (Vancouver, BC). Our mandate is to publish the best in contemporary writing and translation from Canada and around the world | Lunar Station literary magazine The on-going mission of Luna Station Quarterly is to display the vast and varied talents of female-identified speculative fiction writers. We believe that women have a unique and universal voice in fiction and we aim to get it heard | Nslexia magazinw Welcome to Mslexia! We produce the bestselling quarterly magazine for women who write – where every reader is a potential contributor too. We publish over 70 names in every issue, so you might find your work alongside award-winning authors such as R F Kuang, Eliza Clark, Liz Berry, Diana Evans, Val McDermid or Alice Oseman. |
| The Malahat Review literary magazine The Malahat Review is dedicated to excellence in writing. Its aim is to discover the most promising of the new writers and publish their work alongside the best established writers, to present work accurately and attractively to readers, and to increase awareness of Canadian writing in general through perceptive critical comment. | The Ninth Letter Literary Awards inth Letter Literary Awards are open from March 1, 2025 to April 30, 2025. | Rising Action Publishing Collective A traditional independent publishing house committed to supporting diverse authors and stories |
| The Black Fork Review Launched in 2019, Black Fork Review is run by students and alumni from Ashland University and supported by Ashland Poetry Press. | Translunar Travellers Lounge Translunar Travelers Lounge is a biannual speculative fiction magazine that aims to explore the fun side of fantasy and science fiction. Put down your bags, take a seat, and relax with our fine selection of short fiction. | The Clay Jar Review The Clayjar Review is a Christian literary journal dedicated to publishing words of Life. |
| Mud Season Review Mud Season Review, a division of the Burlington Writers Workshop, is an international literary journal | Datura Literary Review DATURA – A print and online journal of deviant and defiant work published randomly. | Compressed Journal The Journal of Compressed Creative Arts is a non-profit publisher of compressed creative arts, such as micro fiction, flash fiction, prose poetry, & visual arts, and whatever other forms compression might take. |
| LIT E-Zine magazine LIT eZINE is a literary e-magazine that publishes poetry, stories and articles twice a year | Hare’s Paw literary journal Hare’s Paw Literary Journal is limitless – representing the ability to walk between our own stillness and the world around us, identifying what matters and what intrigues us, regardless of societal demands | Looky Here Magazine We print poetry books, artbooks, a biannual literary and art magazine, essays, journals, paintings, and prints. Our programming includes workshops, literary events, gallery shows, and more. |
| Mania Literary Magazine Small, Independent Literary Magazine Dedicated to Your 3AM Works! | The Loyalhanna Review Ligonier Valley Writers is a nonprofit group serving writers and readers throughout western Pennsylvania. We provide practical tools and creative inspiration to sustain both emerging and published writers. | New Flash Fiction Review New Flash Fiction Review was founded in 2014 by Meg Pokrass. An online magazine originally devoted to flash fiction, we have also published interviews with notable writers, prose poetry, and creative nonfiction. |
| Quarterly West Quarterly West will open for regular submissions of poetry and prose starting March 15th. To ensure that every submission receives the time and attention it deserves, prose submissions will remain open until we hit a cap of 500 submissions; poetry submissions will remain open until we hit a cap of 600 submissions | Pink Apple Press Pink Apple is a new magazine showcasing the juiciest poetry and flash fiction of the bushel. | Promised Protagonist Anthology The Horror Tree is a resource for genre and speculative fiction authors which was created in 2011. The main goal when starting the site was to include all of the latest horror anthologies and publishers that are taking paying submission |
| The Woolf online literary magazine The Woolf is an online magazine of new writing and visual art. Published twice a year out of Switzerland, we welcome short fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry and visual art from anywhere in the world. As long as it makes us howl. | Trasna Literary Journal We hope to grow the diversity of work and writers we publish, so if you’re interested in submitting your best to us—poetry, fiction, essays, reviews, hybrids—please visit our Submit page for submission guidelines. If you’re interested in what we’re publishing, please sign up to receive our quarterly issues, bookmark our website, and keep returning to find original content on contemporary Irish writing. Many thanks for joining us here. | Troublemaker Firestarter Literary Journal Troublemaker Firestarter is a biannual literary magazine specializing in LGBTQIA+ and feminist topics. Our goal is to excite readers. We welcome the uncomfortable and controversial. New, bold, and proud writers and artists should find their home here. |
| The Frogmore Press The Press has published hundreds of writers in its now bi-annual magazine The Frogmore Papers and also in individual collections and anthologies. Early work by numerous writers who have gone on to consolidate their reputations elsewhere appeared in the magazine. |
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