Literary Journal

New Writing Scotland

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Journals & literary magazines1 open opportunity listedUnited Kingdom

About the magazine

New Writing Scotland is an annual anthology published by the Association for Scottish Literary Studies (ASLS), dedicated to showcasing new poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction by writers living in Scotland or of Scottish descent. Founded in 1983, it has provided a vital platform for both emerging and established voices, with a commitment to literary excellence and cultural representation. Each volume is guest-edited by a different writer, ensuring a fresh curatorial perspective while maintaining the series' reputation for quality and diversity.

Editorial focus

All forms of writing are invited: memoirs; drama; graphic artwork (monochrome only); poetry; political and cultural commentary and satire; screenplays; short fiction; travel writing or any other creative prose. The editors have a maximum recommended length of 3,500 words in total. Please do not send complete novels or other long works, although self-contained extracts are acceptable. The work must be entirely your own and produced without the use of generative AI. It must be neither previously published nor accepted for publication and may be in any of the languages of Scotland.

PoetryFictionCreative Nonfiction

Submitting your work

Reading periodAug 1 to Oct 31

Reading feeNo

PaymentCash

Response time3 to 6 months

Simultaneous submissionsYes

Unsolicited submissionsYes

Submissions typically open in the autumn and close in early spring. Writers should send previously unpublished work in English, Scots, or Gaelic, with translations encouraged. There are no strict theme restrictions, but work should demonstrate originality and craft. Simultaneous submissions are generally accepted, but notify promptly if accepted elsewhere. Always check the ASLS website for specific guidelines and deadlines, as they may vary by year.

We have limited space in each edition, and therefore shorter pieces are more suitable, although longer items of exceptional quality may still be included. A maximum length of 3,500 words is suggested. Please send no more than four poems, and no more than one prose work to a maximum of 3,500 words in total. All submissions should be made online via Submittable: https://nws.submittable.com/submit . Please do not put your name on your submission. If you are sending more than one piece, group everything into one document. Submission is free, and authors retain all rights to their work(s). The work must be entirely your own and produced without the assistance of generative AI.

Read official guidelines

Submission calls

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OpenDeadline · 2026-10-31