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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; the New Writers Award and Ignite Fellowship. 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
July
‘Gothic Aberdeen’ Short Story Competition
Submissions are now open for WayWORD’s ‘Gothic Aberdeen’ short story competition. Inspired by the University Collection’s new exhibition, ‘Fear and Fascination’, we invite writers aged 16+ resident in Scotland to write a gothic story inspired by the city of Aberdeen with the chance to win £300. The competition winner and runner-up(s) will be announced at the 2025 WayWORD Festival in October and the winning short story read by competition judge Heather Parry.
Entry fee: none
Deadline: Thursday 31 July
Words of the Wild Competiton: From source to sea
Whether it’s a memorable moment on a riverside walk, an amazing experience at one of Scotland’s seabird colonies or an epic encounter on one of our snorkel trails, the Scottish Wildlife Trust wld love to hear about it.
Submissions can be in English, Scots or Gaelic up to 1,000 words long and written in any form: poem, letter, short story, essay, song lyrics – whichever works best to tell your story.
This year’s competition is in association with the Scottish International Storytelling Festival and supported by the Riverwoods Blueprint Project and Sea the Connection, both led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
Entry fee: None
Deadline: Saturday 12 July
The Novelry: The Next Big Story Prize
The Novelry are looking for 3 pages of pure imagination—the beginning of a work of fiction, the first 1,500 words of what could become a page-turning book.
Eight shortlisted entries will win The Finished Novel Course from The Novelry, the world’s top-rated fiction writing school, while one winner will take home £75,000.
Entry fee: £15
Deadline: Thursday 31 July
PhysiOdyssey call for submissions
PhysiOdyssey is open for submissions for their second issue. The journal accepts a wide range of submissions, as long as the work has a physiology theme. They encourage submissions from anyone with a background in physiology or a related subject, as well as from creative writers and artists with an interest in physiology.
Entry fee: none
Deadline: Thursday 31 July
August
Course: What creative professionals need to know about AI
A practical intro to AI for artists and creatives in Angus, Dundee, Fife, and Perth & Kinross. This one day course ourse is aimed at AI beginners. Digital Skills Education can offer fully-funded places for eligible learners on this course.
Fee: There are fully-funded places available learners that meet certain eligibility criteria (they need to live or work in Dundee, Fife, Perth & Kinross, or Angus), find out more at link below.
Date: Friday 29 August, 10am - 4pm
Location: V&A Dundee
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