Hello lovely writers…apologies for the slight gap in posts. I spent the Easter weekend under the weather and have been trying to catch up since. Today the sun is out, I have tulips flowering and blossom on my plum tree and I’m almost on top of my to-do list. I might even get some writing done later!
This month’s round-up is packed with competitions, submissions and job opportunities. I hope you’ll find something to spark an idea or the perfect place for your work. As always, let me know how you get on in the comments section.
For my paid subscribers, I’ve had to wiggle our session dates around to fit in with festival work, so here they are for April. I’ll send out the links a few days before with a writing prompt.
Zoom Write-In - Monday 8th April, 7pm
Creative Check-In - Sunday 21st April, 4pm
If you’d like to join us, you can subscribe for £6 per month/£60 a year. It would be lovely to see you and to grow this lovely community.
The next job on my list is to prep my new podcast project. Books Unpacked explores the lifecycle of a book, and is a collaboration with my lovely friend James from Opt Indie Books. Some of you will know him from Forum Books and the Bound. We’re releasing our first episode next week and if you want to listen and keep up-to-date, you can follow us on Instagram and Substack.
Now, grab your diary and a brew, and note these opportunities down.
For the last-minute submitters
Brick Lane Prize – this is a brilliant prize for short fiction that includes a cash prize, development from Spread The Word and publication for the 12 longlisted stories. It’s £10 to enter and submissions close on 7th April. Stories should be between 1000 and 5000 words. Go!
Programme Manager – if you’re Yorkshire based with experience working in the community, this might be the job for you. Ilkley Literature Festival are looking for a programme manager for young people and communities. It’s a part-time role and you need to apply by 7th April.
Mslexia – the latest round of submission opportunities for this print magazine close on 8th April. There are lots of different chances including poetry and nonfiction, so rummage through your folders and submit something. Free to submit.
Live Writes – the latest writing showcase scheme from Live Theatre is open for submissions of new writing. You should submit 10 minutes of your piece, selected work is performed and everyone involved gets paid. Get your work in by 10th April. They’ll also open applications for actors and directors for the pieces, so keep your eyes peeled.
London Magazine – deadline extended to 10th April for this annual poetry prize. Winners will be published in the London Magazine and receive cash prizes. £10 per entry.
Writers Block – development scheme for writers working on novels of any genre. You’ll need to be able to attend workshops in Middlesborough, and the whole scheme is free. Check you can meet the schedule then send your synopsis and writing sample by 11th April.
DYCP – the latest round of applications for this Arts Council fund are open. It’s best to prepare for this well in advance, though I did my application the week before and was successful. Wouldn’t recommend doing this, but it can be done. Make sure you’ve registered for an account early enough or you won’t be able to submit. Deadline for round 20 is 11th April.
From mid-April onwards…
Frieze New Writers – this scheme for aspiring critics is taking place in Glasgow in 2024. It’s a free, three-day course where writers will develop skills with support from the Frieze team. The course takes place 13th - 15th June and applications close on 14th April.
Bath Short Story Award – this ones for stories up to 2200 words with no lower word limit. Its £9 to enter and twenty long and shortlisted stories are published in an anthology. Get your words in by 15th April.
DHH Literary Agency – Emily Glenister is currently open for submissions for fiction and non-fiction. You should have completed your work, and you’ll need to send the first three chapters and a synopsis. Have a look over the list of what Emily is looking for, and for books she’s previously chosen. No deadline.
Northern Writers Awards – the next group of awards are open now as part of a rolling programme of opportunities. You can apply for the Arvon Award and the TLC award. Free to enter, deadline 17th April. The next group of TV writing awards should open later this month.
Harper Wood Award – open to authors and poets who are yet to have a full length work published and are graduates of a UK university. The award is a year long tenure which should be spent outside the UK for study and research. Read all the details carefully and apply by 24th April.
Fern Academy Prize – a brand new prize for non-fiction essays in collaboration with Penguin. Winners get a cash prize, publication, agency representation and more. You’ll need to submit an essay between 3000 and 6000 words. This is a great looking prize, so well worth a look if non-fiction is your thing. Apply by 30th April.
Case Studies Anthology – this callout is for poetry and creative non-fiction that responds to experiences of caregiving. Work will be published in a print anthology and its free to submit your work. There are some prompts to consider but you’re also invited to respond in a way that speaks to you. Submit your work by 30th April.
Lunate Journal – for volume 5 Lunate are accepting work on the theme ‘Bodies’. They publish short stories and essays and you should familiarise yourself with their work before submitting. Work should be between 2000 and 10,00 words and the deadline for submissions is 10th May. Free to submit.
Research Fellow – a really interesting opportunity from Manchester Met Uni for a post-doctoral fellowship. The fellow will work with both the Poetry Research Group and the Centre for Place Writing. Enquire in advance to discuss your research proposal, applications close on 29th May.
Shelagh Delaney Award – a new writing award for working class female playwrights who live or were born in Greater Manchester. The winner receives a cash wards and your play will be performed at Salford Arts Theatre. Free to submit, your play should be complete and at least 60 minutes long. Get your work in by 31st May.
That’s all for this month. I’m off to check the washing hasn’t blown off the line, then I’m going to look at my own writing plan for April.
Hope to write with you soon,
Sarah x