I’m writing this with a giant scarf around my shoulders and my fingers curled around a mug of coffee. There’s a promising shaft of sun on the wall and hopefully the sky will clear enough for a crisp walk (or waddle with a dodgy right ankle and a very sore left knee). I’ve been struggling with mobility lately, a need for my head to be out and busy but my body thwarting things. So a daily walk, long or short, is my main goal alongside at least an hour of writing. Before that though, I have plenty to share with you.
In just over a week, I’ll be running a workshop with Dialect Writers on Writing Climate Hope. We’ll explore work by Rebecca Solnit, Josie George and more then work on our own piece to help us write forward and find a place for our thoughts. It would be lovely to see you there so I can help you build a hope stash to move with towards the end of the year. 6th Dec, Zoom, £25.
I’ve also been working on my website and have added a new mentoring service. If you’re looking for support to get your writing life in order, I’m now able to offer one-to-one Zoom sessions to help you get there. These sessions are intended to help you make plans, gain confidence, and build a writing habit. I can also offer advice on writing related work in these sessions. Each session is £50 and includes a pre-session questionnaire, a one-hour zoom meet and a plan to help you move forward. You can book here.
If you’re a paid subscriber, I hope you’ll be joining our first Zoom Write-In on Monday 4th December at 7pm. These will run regularly with dates announced in advance. There’s plenty of room for more writers, so if you’d like to join, sign up for a subscription here. Your support helps me keep writing and I am eternally grateful for every single sign-up. If finance is a barrier, get in touch and I can offer a free one-month subscription for December.
Now onto the important stuff. My submission calendar is looking a little sad, with a flurry of recent rejections so I’m hoping to get a few more pieces out into the world before the year ends. I’ve gathered a range of writing opportunities and jobs below so you can do the same.
Carmen Et Error – if you have a poem or piece of short fiction on the theme Hinterlands, The Braag want your work. Run by local writer Kym Deyn, it’s free to submit until the end of November.
The London Magazine – the latest free submission period for this long-running magazine is open until 30th November. You can submit non-fiction, short fiction and poetry and should spend some time getting a feel for the magazines style before sending your work.
Blowing A Hooley – have a short play on the theme Hope? This is a lovely opportunity from a great North East based company. Selected work will be professionally produced, and writers will get £500. Submit your work for free by 1st December.
Class Act Facilitator – closing soon, Traverse Theatre are looking for freelance facilitators with strong connections to Dumfries and Galloway, and Inverness. Register your interest by 1st December.
BBC Staff Writer – this is an entry level role for writers with at least two professional writing credits. It’s London based but there are opportunities for remote working, so worth a look if you’re looking to break into comedy writing. Apply by 1st December.
BBC Writers Room – another one from the BBC, this time their annual open call for new writers through their writing room scheme. Check over the guidelines and resources online then submit your work by 5th December. The general advice is that your work should be the best it can be, rather than a first draft, and the first 10 pages really matter!
Northern Gravy – this supportive journal is open for submissions for their next online issue. You can send poetry, fiction or Kid Lit. Check over the submission guidelines first and send you best work by 10th Dec. Selected writers receive £100.
Tyger Tyger – if you have the perfect poem for children aged 7-11, submit to the latest callout from Tyger Tyger. They should be on the theme of ‘People and Characters’ and you can send up to three unpublished poems. Submit your work by 14th December.
Book Camp Mentoring – this is an amazing opportunity from Kate Nash literary. Selected writers will be mentored to finish their manuscript over 6 months and will get representation at the agency. Its free to submit and to take part, though your work should be close to completion. Submit 25,000 words plus a synopsis and covering letter by 31st December.
Welkin Mini – this mini-prize is run by Matt Kendrick, who’s a big champion of writers. Its free to enter and is for micro and creative non-fiction up to 100 words. Open from 1st December to 2nd January.
That’s all for now. I love to find out how you’re getting on so have left the comments open below. The next newsletter will be for paid subscribers and include new writing prompts to keep you writing through winter. Hope to write with you soon,
Sarah