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.
Douglas Stuart in conversation

Join us on 24 March 2021 when Douglas Stuart (author of Shuggie Bain) will talk to James Crawford about his publishing journey from debut writer to internationally-published author. This event is hosted by Publishing Scotland/Scottish Books International, in conjunction with the Scottish Government's International Office in Washington, DC, USA. Reserve your free ticket now.
Children's Publishers

Find out about books and learning resources from Scotland's publishers of educational and children's books.
Training courses

Book your place now on our regular and new publishing courses. Marketing your freelance editorial business (March), Practical mark up of PDFs (April) and Editing for non-publishers (May) are all new this year. Our next introductory courses are copy-editing in May and proofreading in June.
Books from Scotland

This month, in Icons - Standing out from the crowd BooksfromScotland brings you the inspirational, the influential, and the infamous and books that look at our history, our future and our rites of passage. From fiction to memoir, from graphic novels to current affairs, we will take you around the world and beyond for your fix of good reading.

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Second Nature

Produced by Publishing Scotland to mark the start of the 2020 Frankfurt Book Fair, Second Nature is an 18-minute documentary film featuring five award-winning writers talking on the subject of nature and nature writing today. BooksfromScotland.com highlights these writers and many more in a special nature writing feature.
Covid-19: business support

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

Our most recent interactive catalogue is a bumper one with over 150 pages of books from Scotland.
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

Publishing Scotland: New Website Tender

The deadline for submissions of tenders to develop, design and deliver a new website for Publishing Scotland is Monday 22 March 2021.
SYP Scotland: Committee members

Volunteer to be part of the SYP Scotland committee by Monday 15 March 2021 (deadline extended).
The Mainstreet Trading Company: Bookseller

Apply for this full-time position in St Boswells by Friday 12 March 2021.
Hachette UK: Traineeships

Apply by Sunday 14 March 2021. Applications particularly sought from candidates from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background, and applicants from lower socio-economic backgrounds (especially men).
Scottish Book Festivals Network: Request for Tender

Tenders are sought for an impact study that will showcase the benefits of book festivals and literary events. Apply by Monday 15 March 2021.
Edinburgh International Book Festival: Internship

This Development, Marketing & PR and Programming Internship opportunity is only open to Black, Asian and ethnically diverse candidates. Apply through Creative Access by Tuesday 16 March 2021.
Witherby Publishing Group: Editorial and Quality Control Assistant

Apply for this full-time, permanent position by Wednesday 17 March 2021.
The Bookseller: Senior Reporter

Apply for this full-time position by Wednesday 24 March 2021
Prepress Projects: Publishing interns

The deadline for applications has been extended to Friday 30 April 2021 for these paid internships which, circumstances permitting, will take place in summer/autumn 2021 in Perth.
British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding

The deadline for submissions by publishers for this £25,000 book prize is 31 March 2021.

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).

Brexit

New rules are here

Doing business with Europe has changed. You need to follow new rules on exports, imports, data, tariffs & hiring.

Training

2021 new courses

Include: Marketing your freelance editorial business, Practical Mark-up of PDFs, and Editing for non-publishers.

Deadline 22 March

Creative Freelancers

The Hardship Fund has been paused due to the volume of applications. It reopens at 2pm on Tuesday 15 March.

A Publishing Journey

24 March 2021

Douglas Stuart talks about his publishing journey from debut writer to Booker Prize winner. Reserve your free ticket.

Douglas Stuart and Jamie Crawford in conversation March 2021

Books and Learning Resources

For children

Find out about books and resources from Scotland's publishers of educational and children's books.

Selection of Scottish educational publishers' books

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

International Women's Day 2021
8 March 2021
International Women's Day on 8 March 2021 is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. And there are of course many women's achievements to be celebrated in writing and publishing!
World Book Day 2021
4 March 2021
World Book Day takes place on Thursday 4 March 2021. Exciting new developments include the World Book Day Book Club and Share a Story corner, as well as the exciting new line-up for 2021's £1 books.
Alan Bett appointed as Head of Literature and Publishing
26 February 2021
Alan Bett has been appointed as the Head of Literature & Publishing at Creative Scotland. (Image of Alan Bett by Kat Gollock.)
Kelpies Prizes shortlists announced
25 February 2021
Almost a year later than anticipated due to Covid, Edinburgh-based publisher Floris Books has announced the shortlists for the delayed Kelpies Prizes for Writing and Illustration 2020. The prizes aim to recognise new Scottish writing and illustration for children.
Inaugural Gray Day
25 February 2021
25th February 2021 is the first GRAY DAY, a celebration of the writer and artist Alasdair Gray, on the 40th anniversary of his masterpiece Lanark.
Best Bird Book of the Year 2020
22 February 2021
Cottongrass Summer (Saraband) and The Ring Ouzel: a View from the North York Moors (Whittles Publishing) were shortlisted for Best Bird Book of the Year 2020.
Small Press of the Year 2021 finalists
19 February 2021
Congratulations to Charco Press, Cranachan Publishing, Little Door Books, Rymour Books, Sandstone Press, Scotland Street Press and The Wee Book Company – all finalists for Small Press of the Year Scotland 2021 at the British Book Awards. Congratulations to Saraband too (North England finalist).