Hope everyone is finding time to write and that you’re enjoying the extra light we’re getting now in an evening. I saw a field full of yellow and purple crocuses yesterday and it made me very, very happy. Sometimes a spark or a splash of colour can be all we need to get through the day. I’ve also started a regular morning page routine to try to find my way back into writing after a lull. The main thing it’s doing is reminding me that I can write, and (occasionally) write something quite good. And that’s all it takes sometimes, just a reminder of what were doing and why.
This month, I’ve got some brilliant jobs and opportunities for you, and a few events to share that I’m taking part in. As always, this list is free for everyone and I’d love it if you could share it with your writing friends. Nothing makes me happier than seeing people getting their work into the world!
I’m so pleased to have a short play at Live Theatre this month as part of a new sharing event on Tuesday 27th Feb. Greenhouse is led by Peachplant Productions, and is an evening of new plays, music and comedy. Space is filling up so if you’re local and want to come along, grab a spot here. It’s also pay what you feel.
Then, I’ll be at Newcastle City Library with Opt Indie Books to chat to Tone Schunnesson about her book Days & Days & Days. It’s on Tues 29th Feb at 5.30pm. Find out more and grab a spot here. Turning into quite a busy week!
And finally, my freelance life has settled for the next six months (enormous relief), and I’ll be working with Hexham Book Festival on this year’s school and children’s festival. The main festival programme is out on 1st March so keep an eye on that and hopefully I’ll see you there.
Writing Opportunities & Jobs
Climate Poetry – It’s Freezing in LA! Magazine have a callout for poetry for their next issue. It’s free to submit and selected poets are paid for their work. The deadline is coming up fast, so rummage through your poetry pile and get something in by 19th Feb.
Tall Story Pictures – if you have a one-hour TV drama ready to go, submit to this open call and get feedback on your script and advice on moving forward. The call is for unagented writers and once the window opens, they’ll close at 10 submissions. So, get everything ready, then send it on 19th Feb.
Push The Boat Out – this is a lovely job working with Edinburgh International poetry festival. They’re seeking a Creative Producer to work with them on a freelance basis until 2025. Get your applications in by 26th Feb.
Edinburgh Short Story Award – now in is tenth year, the award is open for submissions from writers worldwide. Your story should be 2000 words or fewer and submissions cost £10. Get your story in by 29th Feb.
The Skinny Mag – the folk at The Skinny are launching a new food magazine called gnaw. Its about food in Scotland and they’re looking for pitches and ideas. You’ll need to send a pitch and an example of your work by 29th Feb.
Annie Journal – the window is open to send work to this online journal publishing personal essays, creative nonfiction and poetry. Send in your work by 29th Feb to be considered. Free to submit – don’t forget to read previous work to get a feel for their style.
Alpine Fellowship – this annual prize is now open for submissions across poetry, theatre and prose writing. This years theme is ‘Language’. Take some time to look over the rules and your category then submit your work by 1st Mar. Free to submit.
Shelagh Stephenson Residency – this is an amazing opportunity from Live Theatre and writer Shelagh Stephenson. They are offering a writing retreat at Shelagh’s home in the South of France to women writers over 35. The most exciting bit is that you don’t have to cook…get your applications in by 1st Mar.
Channel 4 New Writers Scheme – open now for writers looking for their first TV writing credit. You’ll need to attend training in either Glasgow, Leeds or Bristol. There’s a webinar to help you prepare you application so watch that first then get your work ready. Closing date is 1st Mar.
Bold Playwrights – an exciting writers development programme for playwrights including access to mentorship and development. You should be working on a full length play and be able to attend sessions, either in London or online. Programme runs May-Sep 2024. Get your application in by 1st Mar.
Producer Role – the Chronically ill Artists Network are looking for a freelance producer to work remotely over the next 12 months. There’s occasional attendance in Nottingham and at events and you’ll be working to support delivery, development and management of the networks activity. Applications close on 1st Mar.
Mslexia Showcase – do you like cats? Do you write about cats? The next window for the Mselxia showcase is on the theme…Cats! You can submit poetry or short fiction for issue 102 and you’ll need to get your work in by 11th March. Free to submit.
Fitzcarraldo Essay Prize – this is an amazing prize for emerging essay writers from the brilliant Fitzcarraldo Editions. You should submit a proposal for a book length essay and a writing sample. Look over the guidelines carefully and take some time to look at previous winners. You have until 17th Mar to get you submission in and its free to submit.
The Greene Door Project – this is a great chance to get feedback from an agency on your work. Its for underrepresented writers who want some guidance on navigating the process and the industry. You can submit a work-in-progress along with a cover letter and synopsis. Deadline for this one is 22nd Mar and selected writers will get a Zoom feedback session. And it’s all free!
And that’s it! As always, let me know how you get on and don’t forget to share this post so other writers can see it. If you’d like to take part in my online community and join us for Zoom sessions, you can subscribe for £6 a month/£60 a year. Your support helps me keep the writing lights on and keep doing what I love…getting writers together!
Happy writing,
Sarah