News from New Writing North: 28 July 2023
Brand new podcasting course for writers
Are you ready to take your writing skills to the next level? Do you want to stand out from the crowd and make your mark in the world of podcasting? Introducing 'Sounds Good: From the Page to the Podcast', our inaugural, multi-part podcasting course specifically designed for writers. Delivered by experienced journalist, producer, podcaster and writer, Lisa Mainwaring, you’ll learn the tools needed to create captivating audio stories that will draw in and engage your listeners, including producing a short sound-designed audio piece, based on your idea – a valuable asset for future projects. Suitable for beginners and experienced writers alike!
The 7-week course will be delivered through a combination of online tutoring sessions and in-person studio sessions in Newcastle. Full price £550, with reduced price bursary places available. Find out more here.
Gordon Burn Prize 2023-24 open until 3 August
The Gordon Burn Prize 2023-24 is open for entry to works in English published between 1 July 2022 and 30 November 2023 by writers of any nationality. The winner will receive £10,000 and the chance to undertake a writing retreat at Gordon Burn’s cottage in Berwickshire.
The Gordon Burn Prize recognises literature that is forward-thinking and fearless in its ambition and execution, often playing with style, pushing boundaries, crossing genres or challenging readers’ expectations. It welcomes books by emerging writers from backgrounds underrepresented in the mainstream literary culture. Find out more and submit by 3 August 2023 here.
Come and volunteer with us!
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help at our festivals and events. New Writing North produces the Durham Book Festival each October, and programmes literary events in and around Newcastle throughout the year. On our New Writing North volunteer training, you’ll gain behind the scenes access to our literary events and join a supportive network. You’ll develop your knowledge, gain skills and meet new people.
Once you’ve completed a half-day of training, you’ll be added to a pool of New Writing North volunteers and will be offered opportunities to help out at literary events throughout the year.
Find out more and apply to be a festival and events volunteer by 31 August here.
The Prototype Development Programme
We’re delighted to announce that we’ve partnered with Prototype Publishing to offer three spaces on their Prototype Development Programme to writers from the North of England. The selected writers will take part in a 6-month programme of online workshops, seminars and feedback sessions, receive a £500 bursary from Prototype, and have their work published in issue 6 of the annual Prototype anthology.
The programme will be open for entries as part of the Northern Writers’ Awards from 12 September – 23 October. Find out more here.
Mushroom Sculpt in the news
Since we declared a climate emergency in 2019, we've worked with writers and creatives to find new ways to respond to the climate crisis. Our Creative Associate Adam Cooper is doing great work in this area and is setting up a new climate hope organisation, Threads in the Ground.
Mushroom Sculpt is a fantastic project from Threads in the Ground, which sees pupils in Whitley Bay using a cutting-edge fungus eco-material to create sculptures for a new art trail. Last week the BBC published an article about the project which you can read here. In an interview with BBC Radio Newcastle, Adam spoke more about the material and its real-world application, and some of the pupils told us about their sculptures. They were also featured on BBC Look North!
Free Substack workshop for writers
Join us for a special online workshop led by Substack’s Head of Writer Partnerships, Farrah Storr, to explore how Substack works and how writers can use this exciting platform to build audiences for, and earn money from, their writing. At the workshop we will give you a general introduction to the platform, show you how writers, bloggers and podcasters are using Substack to profile their work and engage with their readers, and help you learn the basics of how you can build your audience and engage with new people on Substack.
Friday 8 September 12-1pm, free to attend, book your place here.
Writers wanted for the New Writing North Brand Strategy Team
We are piloting a new area of work for New Writing North in partnership with Gardiner Richardson, a leading brand communications agency based in Newcastle. We are looking for talented and experienced writers who are interested in developing and diversifying their skills for application in brand strategy and narrative. We want to develop a small group of up to ten writers who can then take on freelance commercial brand work. This is a way for writers who are great storytellers to develop a new element in their freelance portfolio. We think that a wide range of writers would be excellent at this work, especially if you are able to capture an original voice, understand character and motivation and can express yourself in captivating prose. Full details to follow soon, sign up here to receive email updates about the opportunity.
Young Writers' Summer
This week we kicked off Young Writers’ Summer with our Gateshead Pick n Mix programme. If you know a young person aged 11-19 in the North East who would like to get creative and meet new people this summer, there’s still a few places left on some of our programmes. All are completely free to attend.
Record the Future: Newcastle Civic Centre, 9-11 August
Create your own podcast! Learn how to script, record and produce your own podcast or audio drama with us as part of Novum Festival, a new summer festival in Newcastle. You will work with other young writers and artist Kate Liston to come up with ideas and produce a new audio piece to be presented as part of the festival programme.
Young Songwriters’ Summer: ReCoCo/Loft Studios, 3, 4 and 7 August
Do you want to try lyric writing or have a go at setting your words to music? In this three-day programme of songwriting led by professional musicians, you will meet other young writers and create your own tracks in a professional recording studio. Led by Liz Corney and Jennie Brewis (The Cornshed Sisters). No experience necessary – bring along a musical instrument if you have one, or just come along and give it a go!
Last chance to enter the Arvon Award and TLC Free Reads Award
The Arvon Award offers one prose writer the chance to undertake a tutored or untutored Arvon course, and the TLC Free Reads Award offers up to three poets, prose writers and children’s writers the chance to receive an in-depth editorial report on their work-in-progress from The Literary Consultancy. You can apply for one or both awards even if you applied to another Northern Writers’ Award earlier this year.
Find out more and apply by Monday 31 July here.
Last chance to apply for our Creative Associates Residencies
We are seeking five writers or creatives from Newcastle, North Tyneside or Northumberland to take part in a six-month residency to create new artistic work alongside our staff team. Each Creative Associate will be given a budget of £5,000 to support the creation of their artwork. We have no preconceptions about what the artwork may be, although it will involve writing in some form.
Apply for a Creative Associates Residency by Monday 31 July here.
People, publishers and podcasts
Bill Hodson’s debut crime novel Tracking Back is published by the Book Guild on 28 July. A gripping story set in Bolton, it follows lawyer Sarah Curtis as she investigates the disappearance of a family friend, highlighting the effect of organised crime on small, close-knit communities.
Northumberland based Cara A’court’s book launch for her debut novel, Three People, Three Countries, One Path, will take place on 9 August 11am-12:30pm, followed by a writing workshop from 1-2pm, at Briardale House in Blyth. Her book follows a journey of mind, body and soul, reminding us that the choices we make define who we are, not our fate. Find out more here.
Jess Kitching’s third novel Lucky Number 11 will be released on 25 August. When Hannah Allen was fourteen years old, she was abducted by an elusive serial killer, Peter Harris. Intended to be his eleventh victim, she was his only survivor. Ten years later, a body is found and it becomes clear that someone is continuing Peter’s work. Can she survive a serial killer twice, or has her luck finally run out?
Leeds author NGF Clark placed as Runner Up in the Desperate Literature Prize 2023, announced in July. His short story, 'Damsons', is published in the prize anthology, Eleven Stories (appearing in print in the Autumn). In addition, Clark won a consultation with a literary agent from Johnson & Alcock, along with prize money made possible by The de Groot Foundation.
Following the success of her debut novel Crow's Haunt, Yorkshire author Rachel Wade has now released her second book with Fisher King Publishing. Inspired by the coastal landscapes, nautical communities and whaling heritage of Whitby and Norway, All Weather Is Passing explores where we belong, who we connect to, and the course we each decide to navigate on the journey of our lives.
Morpeth author Chris Wood’s new nonfiction book Death in the Theatre was published in May by Pen and Sword Books. Britain's theatrical wonderland has been a cornerstone of culture for centuries. Beyond the trodden boards, however, lies a catalogue of real-life destruction and grisly murder that our greatest tragedians would surely be proud to preside over. Death in the Theatre collects an astonishing selection of startling tragedies from Britain's throng of theatres.
Competitions, awards, and submission opportunities
Beginnings have a particular power. For Sunspot Lit’s Inception contest, send your best fiction, non-fiction, poetry, graphic novel, comic, or art opening. Submissions close 31 July, entry fee $10, prize of $500 plus publication. Submit here.
Submissions are open for the North East Playwrighting Award. The main award offers one playwright a full-length commission fee of £10,000 and ensuing production at Live Theatre. There is a second commission award of £7,000 to a young playwright (16-25 years) to write an under-70 minute play. Apply here by 7 August.
If you have a story to tell but think voices like yours aren’t heard, or you are a designer who thinks designing books might be a path for you, Harper Collins UK has opened applications to their free Academy Autumn 2023 for writers and designers from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds. If you are interested in a career in publishing or becoming a published author/designer and want to find out more, apply here by 18 August.
Megaphone is offering emerging children’s writers of colour in England the chance to be mentored by a published author. Eight mentees selected on merit will be awarded one-on-one mentoring for a year as they write their first book for children or teenagers. Places for mentoring cost £300 with full and partial funding available. Find full details and apply here by 31 August.
Bradford Literature Festival, in conjunction with Simon & Schuster UK Ltd, is delighted to announce Yorkshire Emerging Writers, a trailblazing new mentoring programme specifically for unagented writers in Yorkshire from underrepresented backgrounds. The programme offers aspiring authors aged 18+ who are writing in the adult fiction space the opportunity to be mentored by the editorial team at Simon & Schuster UK Ltd. Find out more and apply by 31 August here.
David Higham Associates’ DHA Open Day is back this November, aiming to demystify the industry and support writers from underrepresented backgrounds to gain valuable industry contacts and develop their work. Ten writers of adult fiction will be invited to take part in a day of free in-person seminars from authors and industry professionals, alongside an in-depth, one-on-one feedback session on their work with DHA agents and editors. Apply here by 1 September.
Freelance opportunities and jobs
Gem Arts is recruiting a Learning and Participation Manager to develop, implement and oversee participatory arts programmes and initiatives within the organisation. This role focuses on engaging diverse communities and audiences, fostering learning experiences, supporting and developing a culturally diverse creative workforce, and promoting participation in artistic activities. Deadline 30 July, email vikas@gemarts.org for more information.
Comics Youth CIC seeks a dynamic, experienced Trust and Statutory Fundraising Officer to maximise income through compelling and persuasive applications and bids to support the delivery of Comics Youth CIC services. The post requires exceptional copywriting skills, attention to detail and creativity. You will have excellent communication skills, with the ability to develop relationships through proposals, presentations, and budget management. Deadline 11 August, full details here.
REfUSE Café is seeking a Food Engagement and Events Coordinator who enjoys cooking and being creative with food, is passionate about the injustice of food waste and its impact on our planet, and wants to create opportunities for people to engage with food in new, creative and sustainable ways. Deadline 18 August, find out more here.
Jesmond Library is looking for a published writer with experience of running workshops and working with schools to help celebrate its 10th anniversary in a 6-month residency. Fee of £6,000. Deadline 31 August, email enquiries@jesmondlibrary.org for details.
Workshops and events
Caroline Burrows, touring cycle poet, will be teaching and performing poetry sessions at Durham Cathedral as part of their Gaia Lates events on Thursdays in August. Sessions available for children and for adults on Sketch and Poetry and Kyrielle Poetry, on 3, 10 and 17 August.
The Bound is hosting An Evening with Vaseem Khan and Ann Cleeves on Monday 7 August. Vaseem Khan is the author of two award-winning crime series set in India. In Death of a Lesser God, the fourth rip-roaring thriller in the Malabar House series, Persis and Archie travel to the old colonial capital of Calcutta, where they collide head-on with the prejudices and bloody politics of an era engulfed in flame. Tickets £7 or £20 including a copy of the book. Book here.
Start Festival and Born Lippy present Poetic Pop-Up@Sea Change Café in South Shields on 9 August. Brace yourself for a night of all things wordy, brought to you by the North East’s leading spoken word cabaret night, Born Lippy, and hosted by poet Donald Jenkins. Featuring a fantastic lineup of poetry, comedy and rap, plus open mic slots. Pay what you feel tickets available here.
Get your poetry fix at Richmond Walking and Book Festival on 18 September, with brilliant poets Henry Raby, Sarah Wimbush and Olivia Mulligan set to speak. Plus an open mic prior to the performances! Tickets £8/£4, find out more here.
Join writer and tutor, Amanda Quinn, at the Biscuit Factory in Newcastle upon Tyne this Autumn for a series of writing workshops which will use the gallery as inspiration. These include a workshop for children aged 8-14 on how drawing and looking at art can inspire writing and workshops for adults on creative writing, flash fiction, and short stories. For more information click here.
Take part in creative workshops in Knowsley this summer from John Maguire, commissioned by Heart of Glass as part of their A Sense of Green events programme. Each ‘walk-shop’ will explore the importance of the local environment and promote climate awareness through shared reading, drawing, writing, meditation and discussion. Free admission, book here.
If you have news that you would like to be considered for inclusion in the newsletter please contact carys@newwritingnorth.com. The deadline for receipt of information for the next newsletter is 20 August 2023.
While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this newsletter is correct at the time of going to press, things do change, frequently at the last minute and very often without our knowledge.
