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Opportunities

The Jewish Children’s Book Awards for Writing and Illustration: Now Open for Submissions!

The Jewish Children’s Book Awards aim to celebrate work by authors and illustrators living in Europe, the UK and Israel working on inspiring and relevant stories for young children based on Jewish history, values and traditions. One author and one illustrator will each receive a £1000 prize and their work will be considered for publication by Green Bean Books. The judging panel is comprised of author and chair of the book selection committee of PJ Library Chris Barash, publisher of Green Bean Books Michael Leventhal, director of the Children’s and YA department at Kinneret-Zmora-Dvir Yael Molchadsky and translator and author Lawrence Schimel.Submissions are open and close on 1 September, 2021. For further details please click this post, visit jewishbookweek.com/prizes-and-awards, or head on over to greenbeanbooks.com/award.

Bradford Literature Festival – Opportunity for New Writers

With over 500 events packed into iconic venues across 10 days, Bradford Literature Festival are celebrating the written and spoken word in all its wonderful forms. Every year they invite world-renowned authors, poets, speakers, musicians and artists to visit their spectacular city and share their knowledge and passions with you, the audience. Bradford Literature Festival 2021 will include both live and digital events, browse and book from Tuesday 2nd June, 10am.

Mslexia Fiction Competition 2021 Now Open For Entries

The prestigious Mslexia Fiction Competition is now open for entries, with a judging panel including Hilary Mantel (!), AL Kennedy, Marianne Tatepo and the agent, Jo Unwin – plus a prize pot worth over £10,000! There are three categories (Novel, Short Story, Flash Fiction) and winners and many finalists go on to great things. The closing date for all categories is 20 September 2021. Click this post to explore further.

Call for submissions with Sweet Talk Productions

BBC Radio 4 has commissioned Sweet Talk Productions to make three 15-minute radio programmes showcasing the work of writers between the ages of 16 and 21. These are currently scheduled for broadcast on Fridays 8th, 15thand 22nd October 2021. Sweet Talk Productions are looking for original short stories of either: a) 450-550 words or b) 900-1100 words. Please ensure that your submission conforms to one or other of these categories. (This will make it easier to fit multiple stories into each programme.) Initially submissions will be divided into Group A (For ages 16-18) and Group B (Ages 19-21). This is a ‘call for submissions’, not a formal writing competition. By which they mean they will be looking to pick and combine stories from a range of ages they think will make varied and entertaining radio. Each broadcast story will be read by a single reader, but beyond that, please don’t overthink the ‘radio’ part. Deadline: June 21st, 2001. To find out more, click this post.

Six-month mentorship for unpublished novelists – The Madeleine Milburn Literary, Film and TV Agency

Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency is running a 6-month mentorship programme for the second year running for unpublished novelists and non-fiction writers worldwide. The programme will include a comprehensive introduction to how publishing works, editorial work on the author’s manuscript and guaranteed representation from an MM Agent during and after the mentorship period. This year, they’re offering eight places and at least four of them are reserved for writers underrepresented on the nation’s bookshelves. Deadline: 1st July 2021, 5.30 pm. To find out more, click on this post.

‘Apart Together’ Digital Poetry Workshops with The Poetry Business

‘Apart Together’ is The Poetry Business’ digital writer development programme, featuring virtual workshops, Digital Poets-in-Residence, audio & blog content, eBooks and writing exercises. Booking now open for April - July digital workshops.

Word Online: Free Tour of Diverse Voices in South West Libraries

Literature Works is partnering with South West Library services to launch Word Online - an exciting programme of virtual events in celebration of the work of diverse authors including Black, Asian and minority ethnic, disabled, and LGBT+ writers. Throughout this tour they want to highlight the power that literature can have in affecting positive change by connecting authors from richly diverse backgrounds with new audiences in the South West. They will be showcasing the work of disabled authors, writers from LGBT+ communities, and other voices from under-represented groups to broaden shared experience and celebrate the richness of the current literary scene. World Online also intend this programme to provoke, develop and challenge readers to confront head-on the issues raised by the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement by exploring the lived experience of Black, Asian and minority people living in Britain today. The tour will run fortnightly from 15th April – 28th October 2021 from 6 -7 pm. All events will be live -streamed for free via Crowdcast – an online broadcasting platform and are open to everyone. Find out more by clicking on this post!

Royal Literary Fund’s Grants for Writers

Sometimes bad things happen to good writers. That's where the Royal Literary Fund comes in. From illness to bereavement, from credit card debt to work drying up, we all go through hard times. Especially now. If you are a commercially published writer struggling with financial difficulties, the Royal Literary Fund could help. Established in 1790, they've helped some of the best-known names in the business during times of hardship, among them novelists, poets, playwrights, screenwriters and translators. To be eligible, you need to have had 2 works published (or scripts/ plays performed) commercially. Whether it’s money or personal problems that are preventing you from writing, our panel will review your case in confidence to see if we can offer financial support. Get in touch today by clicking on this post or emailing help@rlf.org.uk