Independent publishing company
Birlinn
Children's, Academic, Fiction
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About Birlinn
Birlinn takes nonfiction, sport, children's and academic proposals from authors without an agent, by email. Its Polygon fiction imprint is closed to unsolicited work. Replies take up to three months.
Birlinn is an independent publisher founded in Edinburgh in 1992. Its imprints are Birlinn for history, biography, Scottish interest, nature writing, politics, art and mapping; Polygon for fiction, literary nonfiction and poetry; Arena Sport; BC Books for children; and John Donald for academic books on Scottish history and culture.
Birlinn publishers read direct proposals for every imprint except Polygon. Birlinn also runs a separate sponsored books service that clients pay for. That service is not part of its normal submissions route.
What Birlinn is looking for
- History, biography and Scottish interest
- Nature writing, politics and art
- Sports books (Arena Sport)
- Children's books (BC Books)
- Academic Scottish history and culture (John Donald)
Publishes
- Academic
- Children's
- Fiction
- History
- Independent
- Literary fiction
- Memoir
- Nonfiction
- Poetry
- Romance
Specialties
- Literary fiction
How to submit to Birlinn
From its own guidelines- Choose the imprint and editor that fit your book.
- Email a synopsis and sample material to Birlinn's submissions address, saying why the book suits the list and why you should write it.
- Do not post it unless Birlinn agrees first.
- If you hear nothing in 12 weeks, take it as a no.
Is Birlinn right for your book?
A good fit if
You have a nonfiction, sport, children's or academic book with a Scottish or wider UK angle.
Look elsewhere if
You want to send a novel or poetry. Polygon is closed to unsolicited submissions for now and suggests finding an agent first.
Books published by Birlinn
Well-known titles- The No.1 Ladies' Detective AgencyAlexander McCall Smith
- The Art of Hearing Heart BeatsJan Philip Sendker
- Talking at the Gates: A Life of James BaldwinJames Campbell
- Collected NovelsMuriel Spark
- Soul TrilogyStuart Cosgrove
Birlinn imprints
Which take submissions| Imprint | Direct submissions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Birlinn | Yes | History, biography, Scottish interest, nature writing, politics, art and mapping |
| Polygon | No | Fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, music and film. Closed to unsolicited work for now |
| Arena Sport | Yes | Sports books |
| BC Books | Yes | Children's books |
| John Donald | Yes | Academic books on Scottish history and culture |
Questions about Birlinn
Do Birlinn publishers accept unsolicited submissions?
Yes, for most imprints. Birlinn publishers read emailed proposals for Birlinn, Arena Sport, BC Books and John Donald, with no agent needed. Polygon, its fiction and poetry imprint, is closed to unsolicited work for now. Send a synopsis and sample material and explain why the book suits the list.
How long does Birlinn take to reply?
Birlinn says it can take up to three months to reply. If you have not heard back within 12 weeks, assume the answer is no. Do not send your proposal by post unless Birlinn has agreed to it first. Use the waiting time to keep writing.
Does Birlinn charge authors?
Not on its normal route. Birlinn's standard submissions are free. Separately, it runs Birlinn Sponsored Books, a paid service where the client covers the costs. That is a different arrangement from a traditional deal, so be clear which one you are being offered.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
