BBBF x Pan Macmillan Publishing Collaboration

Your book could be next.

Building on five consecutive years of headline sponsorship, the Black British Book Festival (BBBF) and Pan Macmillan are taking their relationship to the next level. This publishing collaboration brings together BBBF's vibrant, engaged community of volunteer Community Readers and Pan Macmillan's editorial and publishing expertise to discover, publish, and champion exceptional new Black British writers across all genres.

Deadline: 11.59pm, 30th November 2026 for the first stage

Submit Your Book Read Submission Guidelines
Frequently Asked Questions Terms and Conditions

WHY THIS MATTERS: A PUBLISHING FIRST

The publishing industry needs fundamental change to become more representative of the diversity of talent and readers it serves. According to NielsenIQ BookScan data reported in The Bookseller, just fourteen Black authors appeared in the UK's top 1,000 bestselling authors, accounting for a mere 0.9% of total market value – a decline from 1.6% (June 2026).

Talent is everywhere, but access is not. We want to change this, discovering exceptional new Black British writers across all genres and widening access to an industry that has historically been hard to reach, and transforming routes to market so books find the sustained commercial success they deserve. This model is a publishing first: we are learning as we go along and trying things that haven't been done before – but to build real equity and reach readers effectively, we have to try.

0.9%

the share of total market value held by Black authors in the UK's top 1,000 bestselling authors.

Source: NielsenIQ BookScan data, reported in The Bookseller (June 2026).

COMMUNITY-POWERED PUBLISHING

Together, BBBF and Pan Macmillan are putting the community at the heart of the publishing pipeline. Rather than keeping traditional barriers in place, reader insight will shape the journey from submission and discovery through to positioning, marketing, launch, and ongoing engagement.

At BBBF, we know that books truly succeed when readers back them.While Pan Macmillan manages the formal editing, production, and distribution, BBBF connects our volunteer Community Readers directly with these new voices from day one. It's about building authentic word-of-mouth, hosting dedicated community events, and making sure new Black British writers have a built-in audience ready to champion their work.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We want brilliant books, exceptional writing, distinctive voices, and compelling ideas.
Submissions are open across age brackets and genres, including:

Fiction

  • Commercial Fiction
  • Literary Fiction
  • Crime & Thriller
  • Romance
  • Fantasy & Science Fiction
  • Historical Fiction
  • Horror
  • Middle Grade Fiction (ages 8–12)
  • Young Adult Fiction (ages 13–18)

Non-Fiction

  • Science, Ideas & Politics
  • History
  • Biography & Memoir
  • Personal Development & Business
  • Health, Fitness & Wellness
  • Mind, Body & Spirit
  • Food & Drink
  • Sport & Adventure

Unfortunately, we cannot accept submissions for children's picture books at this time.

Your book does NOT have to be about race, Black identity, or the Black British experience. Black writers should be empowered to write about everything.

WHO CAN APPLY?

You do not need a literary agent, prior publishing contacts, a big social media following, or previous industry experience. We are judging the strength and potential of the book itself. To be eligible, you must:

  • Be aged 18 or over.
  • Identify as Black (including Black African, Black Caribbean, or wider African and Caribbean diaspora heritage, as well as mixed heritage writers who identify as Black).
  • Be based in the UK at the time of submission.
  • Be unagented in relation to the manuscript you are submitting, at the time of submission.
  • Have a completed manuscript.

MANUSCRIPT REQUIREMENTS

  • Your book must be finished. We are looking for completed manuscripts, not proposals or works in progress.
  • No professional editing required. Send us the strongest, cleanest version of your work that you can.
  • No Generative AI. We are looking for human writers and human-authored stories. Generative AI must not be used to create, write, rewrite, develop, expand, restructure or materially edit your manuscript or other substantive application materials, other than for minor revisions made solely for editing, correcting or otherwise refining your own content. Standard spelling and grammar checkers are permitted.

HOW IT WORKS

  1. 01

    Submit

    At Stage One, submit your online application including: Essential book details and a short pitch. A synopsis or overview (up to 500 words). A writing sample (up to 5,000 words). A short "Why This Book?" statement. Three comparison titles and a short author biography.

  2. 02

    Read & Assess

    Submissions are read by the BBBF team with our volunteer Community Readers, who shape the longlist. Longlisted submissions are then assessed by Pan Macmillan's editorial team.

  3. 03

    Progress

    Strong submissions will be invited to Stage Two, where full manuscripts are requested. The strongest Stage Two submissions form the official BBBF Longlist.

  4. 04

    Select

    Up to three books will be selected for publication by Pan Macmillan, subject to individual publishing agreements. Selection is not guaranteed.

  5. 05

    Publish

    BBBF and Pan Macmillan will partner throughout the publishing process — editing, designing, marketing, launching, and bringing your book to its widest possible readership.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN YOUR WORK

The Writing

Does the prose captivate and make us want to keep reading?

The Idea

Is there a compelling story, argument, or original concept?

The Reader

Can we see who will love, buy, and champion this book?

The Potential

Can this manuscript be developed into a standout published book?

The Difference

What makes your voice, story, or perspective distinctive?

Important Information

  • There are no submission fees, and you do not need to purchase any tickets or memberships to apply.
  • Submitting your work does not transfer your intellectual property. Your manuscript remains yours.
  • Publishing rights will be agreed separately upon selection.
You don’t need an agent.
You don’t need contacts.
You need a finished book
and a voice of your own.
Your story starts here

Ready to share your story?

Your voice deserves to be heard. Take the first step towards getting your book published.

Submit Your Book Read submission guidelines
Submission Guidelines Frequently Asked Questions Terms and Conditions

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