"Every child deserves to find books that speak to them"
Penguin’s WriteNow programme, which scouts, nurtures and publishes new writers from communities underrepresented in UK and Irish publishing, has announced a three-year focus on children’s writing.
The move comes during the National Year of Reading and follows the Education Committee’s landmark Reading for Pleasure inquiry.
It highlights the importance of diversity in children’s literature and calls on publishers to ensure more young readers can see themselves represented in the books they read.
For its 2027 programme, WriteNow is seeking writers working on fiction for children aged seven to 12. Applications have opened on November 4, 2026, and close at midnight on January 10, 2027.
All applicants will be invited to attend a free online workshop designed to demystify the children’s publishing industry.
Participants will hear from publishing experts, including editors, literary agents and authors, and have the opportunity to ask questions about the industry.
Shortlisted writers will receive feedback on their manuscripts from Penguin editors, while a final cohort will be selected for the year-long editorial programme.
Those chosen will be paired with an editor to further develop their work.
As part of its new strategy, Penguin is also changing the programme’s eligibility criteria.
WriteNow will be open to writers from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds and/or lower socio-economic backgrounds, with applicants asked to self-identify as meeting the criteria during the application process.
The decision follows an analysis of companywide author, illustrator and contributor data, alongside figures specific to Penguin’s Children’s publishing.
Penguin collects voluntary demographic information from newly contracted authors, illustrators and contributors each year to monitor progress and identify areas where representation remains limited.
Its latest data shows the publisher is tracking ahead of relevant UK benchmarks for disability, gender and sexuality.
However, gaps remain for writers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, as well as those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Francesca Dow, Managing Director at Penguin Random House Children’s, said:
“Every child deserves to find books that speak to them – stories that reflect their world and open the door to new ones.
“When young people feel a connection with the books they read, it can create a powerful sense of belonging and spark a love of reading that lasts a lifetime.
“This year, the National Year of Reading and the Reading for Pleasure inquiry have challenged all parts of the reading ecosystem to think about what more we can do to help children find books they connect with.
“By focusing WriteNow on children’s publishing for the next three years, we have an exciting opportunity to bring more voices, experiences and stories to children’s bookshelves through discovering brilliant new talent from backgrounds and communities that remain underrepresented.”
To date, 25 writers discovered through WriteNow have been published by Penguin Random House UK:
- The Single Mum’s Wish List and More Than a Mum – Charlene Allcott
- The Grassling – Elizabeth-Jane Burnett
- The Million Pieces of Neena Gill – Emma Smith-Barton
- A Love Story for Bewildered Girls – Emma Morgan
- Music Love Drugs War – Geraldine Quigley
- Run, Rebel, The Crossing and Roar – Manjeet Mann
- The City of Stolen Magic – Nazneen Ahmed Pathak
- The Swifts, and The Swifts: A Gallery of Rogues – Beth Lincoln
- Amazing Muslims Who Changed the World – Burhana Islam
- A Dutiful Boy – Mohsin Zaidi
- King of Dead Things – Nevin Holness
- How To Be Extraordinary, Never Show A T-Rex A Book!, How to Change the World, and Never Teach a Stegosaurus to do Sums – Rashmi Sirdeshpande
- The Hollow Sea – Annie Kirby
- Go The Way Your Blood Beats – Emmett de Monterey
- My Daddies, Forever Star, and One More Day Until Pride – Gareth Peter
- The Secret of Haven Point, The Starlight Rebel, The Stickleback Catchers and Lights Up – Lisette Auton
- The Reaper – Jackson P. Brown
- Nothing Serious and Venus Fly Trap – Emma Medrano
- Guest Privileges – Gaar Adams
- Matched Up, The First Move, and The Boy Next Door – Jenny Ireland
- See Me Rolling: Disability, Equity and Ten-Point Turns – Lottie Jackson
- A Love as Full as the Moon – Lucy Tandon Copp
- The Pie & Mash Detective Agency – Jo Dinkin and Catherine Brinkworth
- Blank Canvas – Grace Murray
10 writers have gone on to be published by other publishers.
Manjeet Mann, a WriteNow alumna and Puffin-published author, said:
“Getting picked for the very first WriteNow programme was a total gamechanger.”
“Honestly, I wouldn’t be an author today without it. I was paired with the most brilliant editor and ten years and four books later, we’re still working together! It’s the most incredible collaboration.
“I’m grateful every single day for a career that all traces back to that one life-changing opportunity – WriteNow.”
Since launching in 2016, WriteNow has provided more than 900 writers with one-to-one editorial feedback, supported 3,500 people through regional and online workshops about the publishing process, and helped launch the careers of 35 writers.
Writers interested in applying for the 2027 programme can find further information and application details at www.penguin.co.uk/writenow.
A free webinar will be held on December 11 for anyone that wants to find out more about writing for this age group before applying.
