One of the best ways to finish something is to have a deadline. And this years Northern Writers Awards gives you plenty of opportunities to work up your best bit of writing and submit it. In this post, I’ll sum up the awards, what you need to consider and what to look out for as you apply. There’s plenty of advice here too for anyone who isn’t applying for these awards but is getting their work into the world, so do stick around for a read!
If you need some space to get your application in order, our February Write-In for paid subscribers is tonight at 7pm. Would love to see you there…if funds are a barrier, please get in touch for a free months subscription.
The Basics
These annual awards are free to enter and are for writers based in the North of England. This area is defined by the Arts Council here. The awards are to support work-in-progress, and this is what makes them stand out from other awards.
Entries are made via Submittable, so you’ll need an account to submit your work. It’s easy to set up and widely used for submissions so a good account to have. Each award has a different set of criteria so, before you submit, check these carefully.
You’ll need to send a piece of creative work, usually a synopsis and answers to a series of questions. These are outlined in the Submittable application, so take time to look at these in advance of the deadline…don’t leave it to the last minute!
The awards are now staggered with a range of submission windows. This means you can apply for an award in each window, though there are a few exceptions, which are outlined in the entry details for each award.
Once you’ve entered, you’ll be informed either way about your application. You won’t receive feedback on your submission if you’re not successful.
Choosing Your Award
The best way to choose which award to apply for is to think about what you need. Take some time to reflect on your WIP, where you are and what would help you move forward. Do you need some space to write? Or would a mentor help? Or do you need funds to take time to write? Thinking about this will help you choose the award that suits your needs best.
Applying for awards like this gives you a chance to take stock and consider where you are and where you want to go with your writing. So even the act of getting the submission in will move you forward.
Preparing Your Work
These awards are for work in progress, but this doesn’t mean you should send early drafts of your work. It’s still judged, with early readers who need to longlist and shortlist, then judges who choose winners. If you want your work to stand out, you should aim to make it the best it can be.
This might seem vague, but what it means is that you should spend time editing and proofing your work. It isn’t just about spelling and grammar though. Its about the shape of your work, the POV, the style, the tense. Making sure everything works together to tell the story you want to tell. Ask questions of your work according to its form…is the action clear or muddy? Are the characters complex or flat? Is there change? Is your language succinct or long-winded?
There are so many questions to ask when editing, but the key is thinking about what you want to express in your work and working to bring your ideas together so the reader sees your intention. If you can, ask others to read your work and give them a list of questions to consider. Sometimes an objective eye can make a real difference. Read the work of previous winners, and think about where your work would sit on a bookshelf, and explore writers already published there. This will all give you a sense of style, of voice and tone and help you refine your work.
What comes next?
With any submission, there isn’t always a happy outcome. If you’re successful, brilliant…you deserve it! You might also be shortlisted, which is a huge achievement and should be included in your writing CV. If you’re not selected this time, you’ve still achieved a lot. You’ve polished a piece of work to a high standard, thought about your writing life and intentions and hit a deadline. This is not the end. It’s a sign to keep going.
My journey
I’ve applied for the NWA six times in total. I was shortlisted twice, had no success the other three times then won for a short story that I wasn’t sure worked as a short story. You can never tell when the wind will blow in the right way for your work. What you can do is choose to take yourself seriously as a writer and to give yourself the best chance you can by planning, editing and reflecting.
The first submission window this year closes on the 12th February. So set some time aside, check the entry questions and prep your work. Then, press submit.
I really hope you found this helpful. If you’re applying for any award or competition, there’s plenty here that can be used too.
Hope to write with you soon,
Sarah