Open Book is seeking writing and supporting material from writers living and working in the UK for their Unbound programme. The fee paid to successful applicants is £220.
Submissions must contain the following:
- a new, previously unpublished piece of fiction or memoir of approximately 1000 words;
- three linked writing prompts;
- three linked discussion questions;
- a link to two publicly-available (online and out of copyright) poems which in some way connect to the writing (please note: poems should not be your own work);
- a suggestion of a broad theme for your writing, and;
- a short bio (50 words max).
Please submit your completed pack as either a Word document or Google Doc (do not submit any PDFs unless the work is concrete or features other languages) using the Google Form. If you need to submit in an alternative way, please contact amy@openbookreading.com.
Submissions will be accepted until 12pm on Friday 20th June 2025. Submissions missing elements from the pack (see list above) will not be considered.
Each issue of Unbound centres on a broad theme, which in the past has included home, bridges, birds, garden, work, etc. Please suggest a theme for the Unbound issue that would include your writing.
PLEASE NOTE: our readers have described Unbound and Open Book sessions as an “oasis” and “place of safety”, and as a result we will not consider work that is dark or otherwise troubling. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS CAREFULLY when selecting work to submit – we often receive work that is beautifully written but not right for our groups. Find examples of previous content here: https://openbookreading.com/unbound-writing/
How to apply
Please fill in this form to apply by 12pm on Friday 20th June 2025. Successful applicants will be notified by email.
In our efforts to platform a broad diversity of voices through the Unbound programme, we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups, including, but not limited to: writers of colour, disabled writers and those with chronic illness, neurodivergent writers, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Terms and conditions
- Successful applicants will be notified by email. Open Book will also announce selections through their social media channels and website and as such will require consent to release the names of those selected.
- While copyright of the piece will be retained by the author, the author will grant Open Book a license to reproduce the piece including but not limited to: use in the Open Book Unbound newsletter, with our online and in person groups, in podcasts produced by Open Book, as well as in other Open Book pamphlets or other publications for 24 months from publication. Open Book may produce a CD/DVD of any podcast featuring the work and the writer will consent to the use of their work for this purpose.
After selection, payment of £220 will be made on receipt of the work, and an invoice, by Open Book.
