New Voices Brighter Futures — Black British Book Festival

BBBF X PAN MACMILLAN

Open Submissions. Stage One Application Form

Share your completed manuscript for consideration. We are looking for exceptional Black British writers across all genres.

  • No agent required
  • No submission fee
  • Your story matters
01

About you

Need a reasonable adjustment? Email submissions@blackbritishbookfestival.com.

Where in the UK are you based? *
Are you aged 18 or over? *
Do you identify as Black and have Black African or Black Caribbean heritage, including heritage from the wider African or Caribbean diaspora? *

Writers of mixed heritage may select Yes if they identify as Black and have Black African or Black Caribbean heritage.

02

About your book

Tell us the intended readership. For children’s or young adult books, please include the age group.

0 / 300 words
03

Your pitch

0 / 300 words
04

Synopsis / book overview

For fiction: summarise the full story including the ending. For non-fiction: outline the argument, structure and key themes. Do not leave cliffhangers.

0 / 500 words
05

Writing sample

Upload a writing sample of no more than 5,000 words. For fiction, please submit the opening chapters. For non-fiction, please submit the opening of the book and/or a representative chapter.

06

Why this book?

0 / 250 words
07

Comparison titles

Tell us about three books that help us understand where your book could sit in the market.

Comparison 1

0 / 50 words

Comparison 2

0 / 50 words

Comparison 3

0 / 50 words

Keep each explanation brief (max 50 words each).

08

About you

0 / 250 words
09

Additional questions for non-fiction (if applicable)

0 / 1000 words
0 / 250 words
0 / 250 words
09

Manuscript & declarations

Your manuscript

Is the manuscript finished? *

You must answer Yes to submit.

Are you currently represented by a literary agent in relation to this manuscript? *

You must answer No to submit.

Have you previously published or self-published any books? *
Has this manuscript previously been published or self-published? *

Previously self-published manuscripts are eligible provided you still own the rights.

Generative AI declaration

Have you used generative AI 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 the content? (Standard spelling and grammar checking software is permitted) *

You must answer No to submit.

Conflict of interest

Do you have a personal or professional connection with anyone at BBBF or Pan Macmillan who may be involved in assessing your submission? If yes, please give details. *

Ethnicity

We need your explicit consent to collect and use information about your race or ethnic origin, so that we can assess your eligibility for the BBBF x Pan Macmillan Publishing Collaboration. This is a special category of personal data under data protection law. You can read more about how we use it in clause 19 (Data Protection) of the Terms & Conditions.

You can withdraw this consent at any time by contacting submissions@blackbritishbookfestival.com. If you withdraw consent, we will no longer be able to verify your eligibility and your submission will be unable to proceed.

Health or other special category information

If you have told us about a health condition or disability (for example, to request a reasonable adjustment), or provided any other special category information (such as details regarding your sexual orientation, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs to support your submission), we need your explicit consent to use that information for these purposes. You can read more in clause 19 (Data Protection) of the Terms & Conditions.

If you do not consent, please remove any such information from this form before submitting. You can withdraw this consent at any time by contacting submissions@blackbritishbookfestival.com.

Final declaration

Your information is secure and will only be used for this application.

Please refer to clause 19 (Data Protection) of the Terms and Conditions for further details about how BBBF and Pan Macmillan hold and use your personal information.

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