Watch the Awards ceremony live 
from 7pm on 7th December

Winners of the 2023 Publisher of the Year and Emerging Publisher of the Year, which are presented in partnership with Publishing Scotland, and Book Cover Design of the Year which celebrates the enormous talent in Scottish design and the importance of the relationship between the designer, publisher and author, will be announced next week alongside the Book Awards winners for Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, First Book, History, Research and Book of the Year.

Sarah Mason, Executive Director of the Saltire Society, said: “The 2023 Publisher, Book Cover, and Emerging Publisher Awards shortlists exemplify the powerhouse that is the Scottish publishing industry and demonstrate the Saltire Society's commitment to discover and recognise the emerging talents who will ensure the future of Scottish publishing.”

“We are thrilled to announce the 2023 recipients of Scotland's National Book Awards at our ceremony on 7 December and to celebrate with Scotland's literary community.”

Shortlisted for the 2023 Book Cover Design of the Year are Mark Mechan for Giselle and Mr Memphis published by Vagabond Voices, Thomas MacGregor for Rub-A-Dub-Dub published by P&H Books and Andrew Forteath for Sadie, Call the Polis published by Fledgling Press.  

The Publisher of the Year Award supports Scottish publishing and aims to recognise and promote the work of Scottish publishers as an important element in the ecology of Scottish Literature.  The 2023 Shortlisted publishers are 404 Ink, Acair, Birlinn, Canongate Books, Charco Press and Edinburgh University Press.

The Emerging Publisher of the Year Award is presented in partnership with Publishing Scotland and aims to recognise and encourage the work of an individual in the early stages of their publishing career as they develop their skills and experience in the industry. The Shortlisted Emerging Publishers for 2023 are Rosie Hilton, Publishing Manager at Saraband, Melissa Tombere, Editorial Assistant at Canongate Books, Alex Strouts, Marketing & Sales Manager at Scotland Street Press, Daniel Miele, Regional Sales Manager at Edinburgh University Press and Grace Balfour-Harle, Desk Editor at Edinburgh University Press.

Marion Sinclair, Chief Executive of Publishing Scotland, said “"We are delighted to sponsor this category once again. It highlights new entrants into our industry and what can be achieved in a short time - from making a mark within a larger company, to setting up and leading the field in a small company. It's inspirational to see the publishers of the future."

Winners of all of Scotland’s National Book Awards will be announced in Glasgow on the evening of 7 December at an event attended by the judges, shortlisted authors and publishers.  The ceremony will be live-streamed and tickets to watch online are available on here.

Book Cover Design Shortlist

Giselle & Mr Memphis, cover design by Mark Mechan published by Vagabond Voices

Rub-A-Dub-Dub, cover design by Thomas MacGregor, published by P&H Books

Sadie, Call the Polis, cover design by Andrew Forteath, published by Fledgling Press

Publisher of the Year Shortlist

Acair

Birlinn, Canongate Books

Charco Press

Edinburgh University Press

 404 Ink

Emerging Publisher of the Year Shortlist

Alex Strouts, Marketing & Sales Manager at Scotland Street Press

Daniel Miele, Regional Sales Manager at Edinburgh University Press

Grace Balfour-Harle, Desk Editor at Edinburgh University Press

Melissa Tombere, Editorial Assistant at Canongate Books

Rosie Hilton, Publishing Manager at Saraband