Publishing Scotland - Scottish publishing industry network body

Publishing Scotland

Publishing Scotland is the trade and network body for the book publishing industry in Scotland, working to promote and protect the interests of its members, both nationally and internationally. Parent company of BookSource.
Go-Digital Fund

This fund supports Scottish publishers with digital projects or training. Apply by 5pm on Monday 30 August 2021.
Translation Fund

Available to international publishers for the translation of books by Scottish writers. Apply by Friday 20 August 2021 for round 1 funding.
Scottish Books Long Weekend

The Scottish Books Long Weekend (10 to 13 June) celebrated Scotland's rich and diverse writing and publishing landscape. If you missed an event or want to watch again, recordings will be available from Tuesday 15 June 2021 on the Publishing Scotland YouTube channel.
Books from Scotland

It's time to think about your holiday plans. And when we think of holidays, we think of holiday reading. If you're having trouble thinking what books to pack, then let the Summer Reading issue recommend the latest in brilliant Scottish fiction, crime, children's books, poetry and memoir.
Publishing and Writing

Spring Reading 2021 is our new catalogue in collaboration with the Booksellers Association (BA). Print copies will be delivered into every BA member bookshop in Scotland. You can also download a PDF version.
Covid-19: business support

We have compiled a list of official and useful sources of business and other advice on the coronavirus (Covid-19).
About Publishing

What is publishing? How do you get a job in it? Who are the publishing ambassadors? Books Uncovered has publisher videos and lots of information about the book business.

Welcome to the Publishing Scotland website

Publishing Scotland provides support, training, funding and advocacy for the book publishing sector in Scotland.

More about us

Jobs and opportunities

Latest jobs and advice on finding a job in publishing

Witherbys and University of Stirling: Publishing Scholarship

Apply by Friday 30 July 2021 for the Witherbys scholarship for the MLitt in Publishing Studies (2021-22) at the University of Stirling.
Witherbys and Edinburgh Napier University: Publishing Scholarship

Apply by midnight on Saturday 31 July 2021 for the Witherbys scholarship for the MSc in Publishing (2021-22) at Edinburgh Napier University.
Sandstone Press: Marketing Assistant

Apply by Friday 30 July 2021 for this part-time (17.5 hours per week) position with a 1 year initial contract.
SLIC: Board Members

Apply by Saturday 31 July 2021 for these voluntary positions.
Canongate: Editorial Assistant Internship

This opportunity in London is only open to people from ethnicities underrepresented in publishing. Apply by 5pm on Tuesday 3 August 2021 through Creative Access.
The Highland Book Prize 2021

The 2021 prize is open for entries from UK publishers until 10am on Monday 9 August 2021.
The Year of Stories 2022 Open Events Fund

VisitScotland has designated 2022 the Year of Scotland's Stories. Organisers of eligible events can apply by Thursday 12 August 2021 for individual grants of between £15,000 and £60,000.
Edinburgh International Book Festival: The Business of Books

Events dedicated to all those interested in the business of the book world including: Scottish Publisher Showcase (17 August), Rethinking 'Diversity' in Publishing: Lasting Change AND SYP Scotland post-event discussion (19 August), Opening Up Books: Creating Book Events for People with Learning Disabilities (19 August), and Cover Design Masterclass - Judging a Book by Its Cover (27 August).
Opening the Book

Sign up for these free, virtual events from Hachette UK aimed at demystifying publishing. They run from the end of June to the end of 2021.
University of Strathclyde: Lecturer in Scottish Literature and Creative Writing

Apply by Sunday 22 August 2021 for this full-time, Open Contract position.

FAQ

Here are quick links to the answers to some of the questions we get asked most frequently

How do I get my book published?

You can research publishers and submit your book for consideration or you can publish it on your own (see Getting Published).
I've self-published a book - how do I get it distributed?

For small publishers and self-publishers especially with just one book, doing it yourself is sometimes the only option. Read more about distribution.

Members Lists

Membership

Get info on joining, search for publisher members & network members & catch up on news.

PS members outside Surgeons Quarter 2019

Coronavirus

Round up of advice

We have compiled a list of official and useful sources of advice on the coronavirus (Covid-19).

EU VAT

New rules from 1 July

From 1 July 2021 the VAT exemption for the importation of goods not exceeding EUR 22 will be removed.

Training

Book now

Return to the office and Marketing your freelance editorial business (Aug), Copy-editing and Proofreading (Sept).

Marketing for freelance editors feature box

Translation

Apply by 20 August

International publishers are invited to apply for funding support to translate works by Scottish writers.

Image of world globe with the word translation in various languages

Go-Digital Fund

Apply by 30 August

This fund supports Scottish publishers with digital projects or training. Apply by 5pm on 30 August.

Free online book events

Watch again

If you missed an event or want to watch again, recordings are available until the end of July on YouTube.

Scottish Books Long Weekend 10 to 13 June

BookSource

Book distribution service

Publishing Scotland's distribution service BookSource is one of the UK's fastest growing distributors.
BooksfromScotland.com

Scottish books online

Visit BooksfromScotland.com our curated online showcase of thousands of Scottish books.

Join our mailing list

Sign up

How to find us

Our location

We are working from home and our training and events are taking place online. The Publishing Scotland office - at Scott House, 10 South St Andrew Street, Edinburgh EH2 2AZ - is currently closed.

Latest News

The latest news about publishing and books in Scotland

NLS announces new Chief Executive
16 July 2021
The National Library of Scotland (NLS) has appointed Amina Shah as its new Chief Executive and National Librarian. She will take up her post on 4 October.
New LAS chair appointed
14 July 2021
The Board of Trustees of Literature Alliance Scotland (LAS) has announced the appointment of Jenny Niven as its new Chair.
The Bookseller Rising Stars of 2021
9 July 2021
Many congratulations to all the Rising Stars with special mentions for Nyla Ahmad (Scottish Book Trust), Jo Dingley (Canongate Books) and Sasha de Buyl (Cúirt). Nyla is pictured on the left and Jo on the right.
Maverick backs BookSource in distribution move
9 July 2021
BookSource, the Publishing Scotland distribution subsidiary, has announced the signing of children's books publisher Maverick Arts Publishing. The move completes a trifecta of significant new business for the Glasgow based business, and sees it build on its UK market share in the children's books arena.
Jenny Brown elected as RSL Honorary Fellow
6 July 2021
The Royal Society of Literature has elected 44 new Fellows and Honorary Fellows, and awarded the Benson Medal, for 2021. Many congratulations to all and particularly to Jenny Brown of Jenny Brown Associates who becomes an Honorary Fellow.
MMS moves to BookSource
5 July 2021
MMS, the children's publishing sales agency, has appointed Glasgow-based BookSource as its distribution partner.