Pushing Out the Boat
- probably the best regional literary magazine in Scotland,
- high quality writing, with a unique blend of the local and the global.
- a thrilling place to be published alongside writers and artists from around the world
J Graeme Roberts
J Graeme Roberts
Christine de Luca
Christine de Luca
Magi Gibson
Magi Gibson
Mindy Grewar
Mindy Grewar
Isobel Murray
Isobel Murray
Wayne Price
Wayne Price
John Aberdein
John Aberdein
Duncan McLean
Duncan McLean
Alan Spence
Alan Spence
Esther Woolfson
Esther Woolfson
Tom Hammick
Tom Hammick
Selection of contributions for Issue 16 is now complete
Selections for Issue 16 of Pushing Out the Boat are now complete and successful contributors have been notified by email. Once again, the standard of submissions was very high, giving the selection panels a difficult (but enjoyable) task. So congratulations to all successful contributors and commiserations to those who were unsuccessful – we had many fine entries but not enough space to include them all.
If you made a submission to Issue 16 you can check the details, including confirmation of whether or not it has been chosen for publication, by logging in and visiting the My POTB page.
The hard work of editing and design is currently underway, with publication due in late April.
POTB would like to say a huge thank you to all who submitted, both those who were successful and those who were not. We hope you will enjoy Issue 16 when it is published and be inspired to submit again to future issues.
Our Magazines
You can read about POTB, and how we work, on the About POTB page. Our latest edition, POTB Issue 15, boasts an array of inspiring work by talented authors, poets and artists, from home and abroad, the first-time published beside old hands. You will find within its pages humour, pathos and drama in Doric, Scots and English, along with stimulating works of art. This Issue’s Foreword is by the award-winning Hebridean writer, artist and poet Ian Stephen; while the eye-catching cover is based on an image by Colin Brown, whose work, coincidently, was also selected for the cover of POTB Issue 1.
Click on the image below to take a peek.
Issue 15 can be purchased from our retail outlets or ordered from our online store.
After looking at Issue 15, why not browse through other editions of the magazine. Online versions of Issues 9 – 13 can be read in full and sample extracts from Issues 6 – 8 offer a flavour of earlier editions. Then visit our online shop where all editions of the magazine are available for purchase.

Step on board
The POTB Blog
- Q & A with Freda Hasler (Roger White, 29 Jan 2021)
- Pushing Out the Boat at the WayWORD Festival (Lily Greenall, 3 Oct 2020)
- Pushing Out the Boat in the time of corona (Roger White, 19 Aug 2020)
- Martin Walsh and Freda Hasler – a tribute (Judy Taylor and Lily Greenall, 30 May 2020)
- Introducing Lily Greenall, the new POTB Editor (Martin Walsh, 5 Mar 2020)
News
- Selection of contributions for Issue 16 is now complete
- Seasons Greetings from POTB – our December Newsletter
- Christmas Special Offer
- POTB writers nominated for Scots Writer of the Year
- Submissions to Issue 16 are now closed
- Issues 9 – 14 now available to read online
- NEOS wins Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
- Check out our Useful Links page for literary organisations, publications, events and POTB contributors.
February 4th ·
📣New blog post now available! 'What’s it like being in almost at the birth of a magazine of new writing and the visual arts and seeing it through many years of increasing success?' Our recently-retired coordinator Freda Hasler answers our questions designed precisely to explore that subject. Read now 👉https://www.pushingouttheboat.co.uk/blog/#Q%20&%20A%20with%20Freda%20Hasler ... See MoreSee Less
February 4th ·
Banish lockdown blues and boredom with our SPECIAL OFFER on ISSUE 15: FREE P&P for UK DELIVERIES!
Immerse yourself in the delights of a Pushing Out the Boat Magazine, packed full of poetry, prose and visual art. Why not treat a friend or a loved one to our magazines with free gift messaging included. BUY NOW: www.pushingouttheboat.co.uk/order-online/ ... See MoreSee Less
February 1st ·
Brightening up your January! Join Poetry at Books and Beans on Thursday (28th) via Zoom 7pm (FREE EVENT) for an evening of 'The Sparkling North' featuring 4 wonderful North-East writers and beyond; Helen Allison, Hannah Nicholson, James Andrew Sinclair and Shane Strachan (in alphabetical order).
Poems in Doric and Shetlandic (and maybe a wee bit of English).
Details to follow on the Poetry at Books and Beans Facebook page closer to the event. Message them to book a slot for the open mic section.
Poetry at Books and Beans ... See MoreSee Less
January 22nd ·
We've now completed our selection of contributions for publication in the next magazine issue (no 16) due in April. Congratulations to all successful contributors and commiserations to those who were unsuccessful – we had many fine entries but not enough space to include them all. For more information follow this link 👉 www.pushingouttheboat.co.uk/news/ ... See MoreSee Less
January 18th ·
With just 2 weeks till Christmas, are you still looking for that perfect gift? We may have the perfect solution with our SPECIAL CHRISTMAS OFFER! Buy Issue 15 online for ONLY £5 and receive FREE delivery (UK only) and a FREE gift message of your choosing.The ideal gift for friends and relatives near and far. We’re pleased to make this special offer of our latest issue, with nearly 100 HUNDRED PAGES of great prose, poetry and art. Buy now: www.pushingouttheboat.co.uk/order-online/ ... See MoreSee Less
December 11th ·
Being Human Festival as part of University of Aberdeen is hosting an online Creative Writing workshop and 'in conversation' event titled 'Alternative Aberdeens' next Saturday (21st November). Your chance to be creative and be inspired to imagine alternative pasts, presents and futures in our hometown of Aberdeen under the guidance of professional authors and spoken word artists. More information and to book tickets: beinghumanfestival.org/event/alternative-aberdeens/ ... See MoreSee Less
November 13th ·
Perhaps we shouldn't utter the 'C' word but Christmas is not that far away and maybe some of you are wondering what to gift friends and family. On that note, we would like to introduce our SPECIAL CHRISTMAS OFFER: £5 for Issue 15 with FREE P&P (UK only) plus a FREE gift message. The magazine can also we sent directly to a recipient which is ideal for those near and far. Buy now via our website: www.pushingouttheboat.co.uk/order-online/ ... See MoreSee Less
November 9th ·
Good news Friday! Two POTB Writers have been nominated for Scots Writer of the Year. These writers make up two out of five nominees, we are extremely proud.😃 Find out who and how to vote via our website 👉 bit.ly/3dbjtsV ... See MoreSee Less
October 9th ·
Blog now available on the subject of the Way WORD Festival which we were lucky to be part of. Read about how the festival via Zoom played out due to Covid restrictions 👉https://bit.ly/2GK9LBs ... See MoreSee Less
October 7th ·
Thank you for the taking time to submitting all your wonderful work for Issue 16! Best wishes, POTB team. ... See MoreSee Less
October 1st ·
Only one day to go until our submission deadline! (30th September) but there's still time to submit your work for our next issue. We are looking for submissions of artwork, prose and poetry. Visit our website for details bit.ly/389OpXR. Please share with your friends and family!😃 ... See MoreSee Less
September 29th ·
Fantastic session this evening along with Leopard Arts at the Wayword Festival. Thanks to all the brilliant speakers and excellent organisers. ... See MoreSee Less
September 27th ·
One week to go until your submission deadline on 30th September but there's still time to submit your work for our next issue. We are looking for submissions of artwork, prose and poetry. Visit our website for details bit.ly/389OpXR. Please share with your friends and family! ... See MoreSee Less
September 23rd ·
Timeline Photos ... See MoreSee Less
September 11th ·


