Writing Opportunities Jul/Aug/Sep
...and DYCP sessions and mentoring with me!
Well, this took a little longer than planned but it feels lovely to be back! I’m on the other side of festival work now and hoping to get cracking on my short story collection over the summer. I hope you’re finding time to write too! I’ve been saving a long list of writing opportunities so will share these with you, as well as happy writing news for writing pals and ways I can help you with your own writing over the summer!
First up, the lovely
has just published her second novel, The Edge Of Solitude. It sound’s amazing and I can’t wait to get stuck in. It’s been lovely watching its journey and seeing pictures of happy readers and launch events.And staying in Cumbria, Some Of Us Just Fall by Polly Atkin won Lakeland Book Of The Year! It’s out now in paperback and we chatted to Polly on our podcast, Books Unpacked, a little while back about writing, bookselling and more. Have a listen here.
Upcoming Events
Get DYCP Ready – Thursday 1st August, 7pm
Free or PIYC £5 - On Zoom
Join me for a session to help you get your DYCP application ready. We'll look at everything you need to get started, from setting up a Grantium account to collecting references and preparing your budget.
£25 per session
One-to-one Zoom sessions to help you build a sustainable writing practice and writing life. Pre-questionnaire, one hour session and plan to move forward
Sessions can take place 10am-8pm, Monday to Friday - Book Here or get in touch with any questions.
Here’s a round-up of writing opportunities, three of them are on my list! Hope you find a way to get your work into the world. As always, let me know if anything happens!
Writing Opportunities
Creative Associates – this scheme from New Writing North is open to writers living in Newcastle, Northumberland or North Tyneside. Writers or creatives get £5000 to work on a new project. Have a look at past successful applicants and look over all the application deadlines. Closing date 29th July.
Spelt Nature Poetry Prize – do you write poems that ‘celebrate and validate the rural experience’? You can enter up to three poems into this year’s competition. Entry costs £12 and the deadline is 31st July. Spelt’s editor Wendy Pratt has gathered some handy hints to help you prepare your submission here.
James Berry Poetry Prize – this prize is for emerging writers of colour and is free to enter. You should be over 18 and not yet have published a book-length manuscript. Polish your poems and send them in by 31st July.
The Pigs Back – a lovely print journal currently open for submission of fiction and non-fiction. Look over previously published work to get a feel for what they publish. Free to submit, send your work by 31st July.
Short Fictions Journal – another brilliant journal open for new work. Your fiction can be between 500 – 5000 words and submissions are accepted from every country except the USA. Send your work by 11th August.
Interpret Magazine – this one is open for poetry and prose. Submissions are accepted in any language, check the guidelines for translation arrangements. Selected writers get a small fee and a copy of the magazine. Deadline for this round is 14th August.
DYCP Round 21 – the latest round for Arts Council funding is open. If you’ve applied previously, successfully or unsuccessfully, check the guidelines as rules about re-applying have changed. This round closes on 22nd August. If you’d like some advice on applying, join my session on 1st August.
Olivia Maidment – Olivia from Madeleine Milburn is open for submissions. Pop over to the website to see what kind of work she likes and look over her social media too. It’s always worth doing as much research as possible when looking for an agent so you can find one who’s a really good fit for your work. Look at what they’ve published, what they’re reading, and look at who represents authors you think your work might sit alongside.
Wasafiri Magazine – submissions are open for a British Latinx special issue of Wasafiri. They’re looking for unpublished poetry, fiction and life writing. From the callout, ‘We are especially interested in writing that embraces and incorporates the Indigenous languages of Abya Yala.’ Check out the whole thread and send your work by 25th Aug.
RSL Literature Matters Awards – this years awards are now open for anyone looking for financial support to realise a creative project. Spend some time looking over previous awardees and their projects before applying. Awards tend to be between £1500 - £3000. Free to apply, deadline for submissions is 6th September.
Hinterland Magazine – there are too open calls here for writers of non-fiction, one for un-themed flash and one for themed writing on ‘Journeys’. It’s well worth reading the magazine first to get a feel for style. £3 to submit, deadlines are 13th and 16th September.
VS Pritchett Short Story Prize – this prize is for unpublished short stories and this years judge is Tom Vowler. There’s a £7.50 entry fee, and there are free entries for low-income writers. Word limit is 2000-4000 words. You can read previous winners on the main entry page. Send your story by 13th Sep.
Peoples Play Award – a prize for playwrights from the North of England, with the winning play getting a production at the Peoples Theatre in Newcastle. Your script should be complete, at least 60 minutes long and ready to perform. You have until the 30th September to submit.
That’s all for now, I’m off for a week on the Welsh coast and then Shropshire borders, keep everything crossed for a dry week! Hope to write with you soon,
Sarah x
This list of opportunities is amazing. Very valuable resource, thanks for sharing this. Cheers!