Writing Opportunities Nov/Dec
...plus DYCP & Podcast events
Hello lovely writers. I hope you’re all managing to find time to write and getting ready to hunker down with a good book over the coming darker months. As always, my life is chaos, but good chaos. So I’ll be getting busier over the next few months. With this in mind, I’ve pulled together writing opportunities taking you through to the end of the year. I hope it’ll keep you busy!
Mentoring
I’ve closed my books to new writing mentees now. If we’ve already had a session, you can still book with me here. I can’t give a date when I’ll be reopening at the moment due to work and life commitments, but will keep you updated. Thanks so much to everyone who booked in with me, it has been brilliant hearing about your projects and helping you, even just a little bit, with your writing life.
Events
I’m running another DYCP workshop in November. It’s online on Thurs 14th November at 7pm, and either free or £5 PIYC. It would be lovely to see you there and please share with anyone you think might benefit from it. Places are limited to 25 so grab a spot if you’d like to join in. Book your spot here.
With my Books, Unpacked podcast hat on, I’ll be hosting a live event with my co-host James in Newcastle this November. We’re talking to David Almond and Julia Green as part of the Books On Tyne festival. It’s our first live event, so a bit of an experiment but tickets are already flying out the door so we can’t wait! Free to attend, hope to see you there. Book here. And don’t forget to subscribe to our Substack for all our episodes.
Writing Opportunities
Confingo Magazine – currently open for submissions of short fiction, poetry and art. This is for the print only magazine, and I can’t see a deadline so get your work in as soon as you can! Free to submit and selected authors are paid.
Commonwealth Short Story Prize – this annual prize is looking for short stories between 2000 – 5000 words. Winners are awarded cash prizes, and five winning stories are published by Granta. It’s free to enter, for writers who are citizens of a Commonwealth country, and entries close on 2nd November.
Living Barracks Open Call – the Living Barrack’s in Berwick are looking for artists, which can include writers, for residencies and commissions as part of its redevelopment. There are three categories with commissions of between £25k and £50k. Deadline for submissions of interest is 4th November.
Disabled Poets Prize – now in it’s third year, this prize is for deaf and disabled poets based in the UK. As well as cash prizes, winners also receive professional development opportunities and a publication deal. Entry is free and closes at 1pm on 4th November.
Northern Broadsides & Arvon – have a wintry short story? Send it to the Winters Tale Short Story competition. The winning story will be recorded by an actor and made available for listening. Stories should be between 2000 – 3000 words and entry is free. Submit by 7th November.
Wellcome Collection – a brilliant scheme for non-fiction writers in collaboration with Spread The Word. The award supports a writer who is disabled and/or from a global majority. Writers should be unagented and working on their first non-fiction book. Free to enter, applications close on 11th November.
Open Clasp – if you’re looking for a role to support you while you write, North East Theatre Company Open Clasp are recruiting for a Marketing Assistant. Applications open until 11th November.
Unfolding Theatre – another North East theatre role here, this time for a Trustee with Unfolding Theatre. They’re seeking people passionate about theatre and with a range of experience to join the board and help shape the future of the company. Have a good read through the requirements and send an expression of interest by 11th November.
Scottish Mountaineering Press – the creatives flash content is looking for poetry on the theme Soundscapes. Anyone can submit work, as long as its celebrating Scotland’s natural wonders. Free to submit, send your work by 14th November.
Female Pilot Club – a great opportunity for female comedy writers here, with opportunities for the finalists and the winner. Send 10 pages of your comedy script for a chance to have it read at a live event. Applicants should identify as working class and have been brought up or currently living outside of London. Free to enter, deadline 15th November.
Emerging Writer Award – this annual award from Moniack Mhor & The Bridge Awards is now open and looking for unpublished prose writers. Send a sample of your work, a cover letter and a CV by 30th November. Free to enter, winner receives a package of support including time at Moniack Mohr. The dream!
BBC Open Call – the annual call for new writers from the BBC is now open. For this call, they’re not looking for projects but writers. I would recommend attending a drop-in advice session if you can so you get a feel for what’s needed and what they’re looking for. This is a really competitive scheme with lots of applications, so it’s best to apply only if your work is ready. Get your submission in by 3rd December.
Tyger Tyger – a lovely call out for poetry for children on the theme ‘Big Things’. You can send up to three unpublished poems which should be up to 40 lines long and aimed at 7–11-year-old readers. Free to submit, deadline for this call is 31st December.
Mslexia – submissions are open for issue 105 of Mslexia, the magazine for women writers. There are lots of different ways you can submit, and this current call closes on 6th January. It’s free to send work and most slots are paid. It’s also a great one to have on your writing CV.
Bruntwood Prize – now in it’s 20th year, the Bruntwood Prize is open once again for playwrights. There are four categories and you should submit an original, unproduced play. Have a look over the website which has lots of guidance then send your best work by 9th January. I can’t find any info on entry fees, which is very annoying…will update if I do!
Womens Prize – the Discoveries writer development programme is open again for unpublished women writers. You’ll need 10,000 words from the opening of your novel to apply, and there’s a great range of prizes and development available. The prize is open to women in the UK and Ireland, and entries close on 13th January. Free to enter!
That’s all for now, I love to know how you get on so let me know in the comments. And please share with your writing friends. Happy writing!
Sarah x