Thank you for your interest in Saqi Books.
Submissions are currently open. This window closes on 30 May 2026.
We believe that literature has the power to change the way we see the world – and that championing vibrant, distinctive voices is the surest path toward a more empowered future. We look forward to reading your work. Please read these guidelines carefully before submitting.
About our list
Saqi Books publishes under two imprints: Saqi and The Westbourne Press. Both lists focus on adult non-fiction – history, current affairs, art, cookery, photography and occasional memoir. We also consider fiction, including novels, short story collections and occasional poetry, for the Saqi list.
Before submitting, take time to familiarise yourself with our books. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on our socials. In your covering email, tell us which of our authors you’ve read and why you feel your work belongs with us.
What to send
Submit to submissions@saqibooks.com. Please include:
- Your manuscript – three sample chapters (fiction) or as one to three sample chapters (non-fiction) – in Microsoft word or pdf.
- A single proposal document in .docx or pdf, containing:
- Which imprint your work is best suited to and why
- A synopsis, including the book’s unique selling points
- A contents page with concise chapter descriptions and proposed word length
- Author biography and CV, including all relevant publications.
- Details of any photographs, illustrations, tables and other non-textual material
- Proposed completion date
- A note on comparable titles and the book’s marketing potential
- Any details of financial support, partnerships or grants attached to the project
Submissions must be in English. All materials are treated as confidential.
What happens next
We read everything we receive. We are a small publisher with a focused list, and we publish around twenty titles a year – so competition is real. If we have questions or would like to take your work further, you will hear from us within three months. If you don’t, please don’t be discouraged. Submit widely: approach other publishers and agents in parallel. Your work deserves to find its home.
For guidance on finding an agent, preparing your manuscript, or developing your writing practice, we recommend the Writers’ & Artists’ website, the Society of Authors and Spread the Word.