Unbound Firsts

Unbound Firsts is a new imprint for debut writers of colour.

Sign up to be among the first to receive two debut novels from contemporary writers of colour.

Through an open call, two writers will be selected from a longlist of six for publication by Unbound. These will be either adult fiction or non-fiction books, with both titles scheduled for publication in March 2023. We’re looking forward to adding two new voices to our eclectic and growing list, to join our ranks of brilliant Unbound authors. The four shortlisted writers will receive a full manuscript report and an invitation to our specially curated publishing insights workshop.

Subscribers to Unbound Firsts will receive exclusive updates as well as access to extracts from both books. You will also receive special offers, discounts and opportunities that we’ll be launching specifically for our Unbound Firsts readers. 

We've also created a pledge level for bookshops to become patrons of Unbound Firsts, where the name of your bookshop will be inscribed in the front of the book.

Our Unbound Firsts books will create a vital space for readers and writers of colour in publishing. Your support extends beyond receiving two debut books from new talent, it will also ensure that more people of colour are featured on our bookshelves and that the book industry better reflects the world we live in.

We're very grateful to our Unbound Firsts Advisory Board: Kit de Waal, Musa Okwonga, Chimene Suleyman and Nikesh Shukla, for their advice, support and valuable input in shaping the imprint and its intentions. 

Kit:"All the good intentions in the world don’t pay the bills.  Unbound Firsts recognises the value - the pounds, shillings and pence value - of publishing exciting new talent.  Black writers deserve to be properly paid."

Musa:"Unbound gives the author a rare amount of creative freedom - it trusts the author to tell a story in substantially the same form that they imagine it. When you are telling sensitive stories, creative freedom is - for me at least - the most important consideration."

Chimene:"The only thing more radical than representing marginalised writers, is actually representing marginalised readers. There are entire demographics whose tastes, interests, and access to books have been overlooked, which finally needs to change."

Nikesh:"Unbound's track record for giving authors space to try new and innovative books that speak directly to their audiences is a brilliant way of engaging readers as well as giving artists space to develop."