Tom Newlands
...is a neurodivergent writer from Scotland. His acclaimed debut novel Only Here, Only Now won the McKitterick Prize, was shortlisted for the Gordon Burn and ADCI Prizes, and was chosen as Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year. Tom is also the recipient of a Royal Society of Literature Scriptorium Award, a London Writers Award and a Creative Future Writer's Award. In 2025 he was appointed to the Creative Future advisory board.
In his writing...
...Tom draws on storytelling traditions from both sides of the Atlantic, exploring intersectional identities which are largely absent from mainstream discourse, and aiming to tackle difficult subject matters with warmth and humour. David Peace describes Newlands’ work as focussing on, ‘marginalised characters and communities rarely if ever found in British fiction.’
Tom's new book, coming 13/08/26
Something Like Happiness
Frazer and Caitlin have come a long way without ever leaving their dead-end town. They were teenage sweethearts but years later, life's got serious: the flat they share is barely habitable, money is tight, and their autistic son is struggling at school.Caitlin dreams of fresh carpets and clean walls, but for Frazer Apex Court is the only home he has known. It's where his parents lived and died and where the memory of them remains.He's asked Caitlin to marry him twice. She tries to leave most weeks. They still love each other - but is it enough?
Tom's debut
Only Here, Only Now
'Stunning' - The Observer'Visceral' - New York Times'Astonishing' - Katherine May'Unforgettable' - Michael Sheen'Glorious...so unusual, so moving, so memorable...casts a new light on the experience of living with ADHD'
- Guardian'One of the great British debut novels' - David Peace
Selected grants and awards
2025 / Winner, Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year
2025 / National Centre for Writing Passa Porta Residency, Brussels 2026
2025 / Winner, Royal Society of Literature Scriptorium Award
2025 / Longlisted, Diverse Book Awards
2025 / Winner, Society of Authors McKitterick Prize
2025 / Runner up, Society of Authors ADCI Prize
2025 / Longlisted, The Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award
2025 / Shortlisted, The Gordon Burn Prize
2021 / Winner, New Writing North ‘A Writing Chance’
2021 / Winner, London Writers’ Award
2021 / Winner, Creative Future Next Up Award
Contact
For all queries please contact Sophie Lambert
© Tom Newlands, 2026. All rights reserved.