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Opportunities for writers
There are lots of opportunities for writers in Scotland. We've collected and listed the current crop below.
For more opportunities (including workshops, retreats and advice), you might also want to look into our resources for writers, and our writing programmes; such as the New Writers Award. If you're under 18, why not check out our offering for Young Writers.
Please note that we curate this list but don't run the opportunities listed. You can find free guidance on copyright and other issues on the Society of Authors' (this link will open in a new window)advice page.
Always read the organiser's submission criteria.
Want to share an opportunity with us? Email [email protected](this link will open in a new window).
Submission calls and opportunities with upcoming deadlines
January
The Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize
The Prize is awarded to a novel written by a woman over the age of 18 that combines literary merit with compelling readability. The winner will receive a £1,500 prize, and all shortlisted authors will benefit from a one-on-one consultation with a literary agent.
Entry: £12, sponsored entry also available
Deadline for paid entries: Wednesday 7 January 2026, noon
Deadline for sponsored entries: Tuesday 6 January 2026, noon
RISCS Short Story Competition 2026
RISCS – the National Research Institute for Sociotechnical Cyber Security, based at the University of Bristol – is launching a short story competition to explore how different social, technological, economic, and environmental changes might shape the future of cybersecurity. They are looking for creative short stories that bring to life the future world of cyber security in the year 2036. The winning stories will be showcased at CYBERUK, the UK government’s flagship cyber security event, taking place in Glasgow 21-23 April 2026, and there are prizes for the top three stories as well as an anthology for shortlisted ones.
Entry fee: None
Deadline: Monday 12 January
February
The London Library Emerging Writers Programme 2026/27
The London Library Emerging Writers Programme, now open for the eighth year, is a unique opportunity which offers writers, in all genres and disciplines, one year’s free membership of The London Library and includes writing development masterclasses, networking opportunities, peer support, access to and guidance in using all the Library’s resources and publication in the cohort anthology - and it is open to writers based in Scotland.
Entry fee: None
Deadline: Monday 23 February, 5pm
Find out more about The London Library Emerging Writers Programme
March
Kelpies Prize for Writing and Illustration 2026
The Kelpies Prize for Writing and Illustration is for writers and illustrators in Scotland who want to start a career in children’s books. The prize package includes a mentorship with our experienced editorial or design team, consideration for a publishing deal, plus £500 cash.
Entry fee: None
Deadline: Sunday 1 March, midnight
Submission calls and opportunities with no deadline
Speculative Books
Speculative Books is currently accepting unsolicited submissions of poetry. Send in a maximum of two poems.
Entry fee: None
The Dark Horse
The Dark Horse Magazine is accepting unsolicited submissions of poetry by post only.
Entry fee: None
Thi Wurd
Thi Wurd is a fiction magazine based in Glasgow. Submissions of short fiction and illustrations are welcome.
Entry fee: None
Eemis Stane
Published digitally three times a year, Eemis Stane furthsets poetry, fiction, essays and polemics in Scots o ony and ilka variety, frae ilka airt and pairt. Poetry submissions can consist o up tae three poems, totallin up tae 75 lines. Prose submissions, o baith fiction and non-fiction, should be nae langer than 2000 wirds.
Entry fee: None
Glasgow Review of Books
Glasgow Review of Books is looking for translations and poetry.
Entry fee: None
Lallans
Lallans is published twice a year and is the journal of the Scots Language Society. It includes poetry, fiction, reviews and articles in Scots.
Entry fee: None
The New Shetlander
The New Shetlander is a bi-annual publication looking for contributions of prose and poetry with a Shetland interest: all will be considered for publication.
Entry fee: None
Product Magazine
Product Magazine is currently looking for fiction, art and photography.
Entry fee: None
Shoreline of Infinity
Shoreline of Infinity is looking for science-fiction poetry and book reviewers.
Entry fee: None
SNACK Magazine
SNACK Magazine are regularly seeking poetry submissions.
Autumn Voices
Autumn Voices seeks submissions by those aged over 60 years for their monthly newsletter.
The White Pube Creatives Grant
A one-off £500 grant to be given out to a different working class creative practitioner based in the UK once every month. It is run by The White Pube and funded by Creative Debuts. Open to those working on writing, art, performance, sound, music, craft, comedy and games.
Bella Caledonia
Bella Caledonia welcomes submissions of essays, articles, reviews, analysis and features.
Creatives - Scottish Mountaineering Press
Creatives is a digital platform for anyone who has found meaning in Scotland’s natural wonders to collaborate, share their artwork and find inspiration. They welcome works of poetry, prose and visual art from unpublished, emerging and established artists of all backgrounds.
Find out more about Creatives - Scottish Mountaineering Press
Thin Skin magazine
Thin Skin was set up in 2024 to showcase the work of writers 50 and over, who came late to writing. They publish a quarterly online international literary magazine, accepting flash and short stories. Submissions are open all year, there is no payment but also submission fee.
Arderyth House
Arderyth House is an international poetry magazine based in Scotland. The editors would like to consider all kinds of poems: short and long; in verse and in prose; from established and emerging poets; formal and less formal; serious and less serious.