We’re looking for new stories

Are you a writer that:

• identifies as a writer of colour?
  
• has written your first book?
• is previously unpublished?

Unbound Firsts is designed for you. We’re looking for fresh voices, new talent and amazing stories to turn into published books.

Every October, we launch an open call for writers to submit their fictional or non-fictional debut books, from which two will be selected and offered a publishing deal with Unbound.

Submissions for our Unbound Firsts 2025 titles open on 2 October and close on 30 November 2023.

Our published titles

Our Unbound Firsts 2023 Titles are Solange Burrell’s Yeseni and the Daughter of Peace, and Paul David Gould’s Last Dance at the Discotheque for Deviants.

Releasing next year, Iqbal Hussain’s Northern Boy and Zahra Barri’s Daughters of the Nile are available to pre-order.

Zahra Barri

Unbound Firsts 2024

I’m absolutely thrilled and deeply honoured to be an Unbound Firsts 2024 writer. Unbound is such an awesome publisher, who champions new authors, of which I am so grateful! It’s an actual dream come true to get my passion project published with them.

Iqbal Hussain

Unbound Firsts 2024

I’ve always loved how Unbound showcases books from all sections of society, covering a vast range of genres, styles and topics. And now, with Unbound Firsts, I will be part of an exciting new imprint that further champions books you might not ordinarily get to read.

Solange Burrell

Unbound Firsts 2023

Being selected for Unbound Firsts means the universe to me. Separately though, it is admirable, dedicated, and bold of Unbound to create this special imprint that recognises underrepresented groups within the publishing industry.

Paul David Gould

Unbound Firsts 2023

I’m not only thrilled to be getting published by Unbound Firsts, I’m also honoured — honoured to be one of this new imprint’s inaugural writers at a time when we so need to champion diversity.

Submit your work for 2025 now

If you want to submit your work for consideration in the Unbound Firsts 2025 class, then please click below.