Spread the Word is accepting submissions of creative non-fiction for a maximum of 6 short feedback sessions from the editorial team at Scribe UK – an international independent publisher of commercial and narrative non-fiction and literary fiction.
Sarah Braybrooke and Molly Slight from Scribe’s editorial team are offering to provide feedback by phone or video call on up to 6 submissions from writers from under-represented backgrounds based in the UK.
Scribe currently has a strong interest in books about nature, science, psychology, social issues, politics, and history, as well as life writing.
You can visit their website by clicking here.
We define writers from backgrounds under-represented in publishing as those who:
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Are from a lower socio-economic background as defined by the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion guidance
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Have experienced a lack of academic and/or vocational training opportunities – i.e. have not been able to study/train to their full potential due to low income, ill health, being a carer etc.
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Are or have been a carer
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Have experienced homelessness
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Are a single parent
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Have a disability
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Are a writer of colour
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Are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community
If you’ve already received feedback via Spread the Word in one of these opportunities in the past year you are not eligible to apply for this opportunity:
The Blair Partnership, Free Reads via Spread the Word, Curtis Brown & C+W, Bookouture or Bell Lomax Moreton. This is so we can support as many writers as we can.
How to apply
Please note this opportunity is only open to unpublished and un-agented writers based in the UK. Apply via Submittable. Only one entry per applicant will be accepted.
The link to apply is here: https://spreadtheword.submittable.com/submit
To apply you will need to upload 3 documents:
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A covering letter of 1-2 pages that includes: A little information about yourself and your motivations for your project, how you meet the criteria for this opportunity and a summary of your writing endeavours to date (e.g. Have you taken part in writing development opportunities? Have you mainly been writing on your own at home?)
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A proposal (10,000 words maximum). The proposal should aim to include: an overview of the book, your bio, info on market and readership, and a chapter breakdown (approx a paragraph per chapter)
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An extract from your non-fiction project (3,000 words maximum)
If you are a disabled writer, there is the option to submit visual or audio submissions. Please get in touch (e-mail below) if you need any support with this.
Sarah and Molly will be giving feedback on the documents that you submit.
Timeline
Submissions will open at midday on Tuesday 20 April 2021.
The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Thursday 20 May 2021.
Applicants will know the outcome of their submission by Friday 25 June 2021, and successful applicants will receive their feedback by the end of July 2021.
If you have any queries about your application or this opportunity, please get in touch with [email protected]
About Sarah Braybrooke
Sarah Braybrooke is the Publisher and Managing Director of Scribe UK, where she acquires commercial nonfiction and narrative nonfiction. She has worked for Scribe since 2010, initially at its head office in Melbourne, Australia, and since 2013 in London, where she helped to launch the UK office. She was shortlisted for the Kim Scott Walwyn Prize and a London Book Fair Trailblazer award in 2017.
About Molly Slight
Molly Slight is the Editorial Director at Scribe UK, where she acquires literary fiction and narrative nonfiction. She is a Clore Emerging Leaders fellow, a Bookseller Rising Star, and a Print Futures Award winner, and was shortlisted for the 2020 LBF Trailblazer Awards. Molly is also a board member at Wasafiri international magazine.
Published 20 April 2021