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Opportunities

Leicester Writes Short Story Prize Now Open

Leicester Writes are thrilled to announce the Leicester Writes Short Story Prize 2021is now open for entries. They're looking for new and original fiction under 3,500 words. Stories can be any length (up to 3,500 words) style, or subject, and there there is no set theme. Closes June 1st. To see the list of prizes, along with further entry requirements, click this post.£5 per story. Max three entries per person.

1-1 Feedback with Scribe and Spread the Word For Underrepresented Writers

Spread the Word is accepting submissions of creative non-fiction for a maximum of 6 short feedback sessions from the editorial team at Scribe UK – an international independent publisher of commercial and narrative non-fiction and literary fiction. Sarah Braybrooke and Molly Slight from Scribe’s editorial team are offering to provide feedback by phone or video call on up to 6 submissions from writers from under-represented backgrounds based in the UK. Scribe currently has a strong interest in books about nature, science, psychology, social issues, politics, and history, as well as life writing. Please note this opportunity is only open to unpublished and un-agented writers based in the UK. Apply via Submittable. Only one entry per applicant will be accepted. Deadline: 20th May, 2021. Learn more by clicking this post.

Margate Bookie’s ‘Reset’ Zine Online Live Launch & Roundtable Discussion

They've reset, written and now are ready to roll with the Live Launch of the Margate Bookie's second 'zine. Following from the great success of their last zine 'The Great Indoors', Reset has reached new heights, bringing in a whole new strand of amazing creative pieces of writing and artistry. It has also stretched further across the world than ever before, spanning from the UK, across the US, and as far as India, Malaysia and Australia. To celebrate this and the release of their zine, Margate Bookie, the literary charity and festival, warmly invite you to their live launch, an online chat with lead editor Justin Brown about the zine's journey, and live performances from some of the incredible contributors to the zine. The discussion will include Maggie Harris, Tricia Waller, Patricia Walsh, Cath Holland, Karen Ince, and Elizabeth Jaeger. Date: Thursday 27th May 2021, 19:30 BST via ZOOM. Book your place for free by clicking on this post.

The TripFiction ‘Voyages by Verse’ Poetry Competition

Last Autumn, TripFiction ran an inaugural and highly successful 'Sense of Place' Creative Writing Competition. They attracted hundreds of entrants from around the world. Building on that success they are now pleased to announce the launch of their new 'Voyages by Verse' Poetry Competition this Spring. There are very few rules and guidelines for the 'Voyages by Verse' competition. TripFiction want to encourage creative adventure and freedom - from haiku to epic. Entrants are encouraged to use their own distinctive style and rhythm to express their feelings and creative ideas on the page. But the one thing a poem must include is a strong sense of place... the destination and innate sense of place at the heart of the work will play as important a role as the rest of the words. The first prize in the competition is £300 / US$400, second prize £150 / US$200, and the third prize £50 / US$67. The competition is open now and closes on 13th June. Click this post to learn more.

All Stories mentoring programme for underrepresented children’s book writers

Are you an aspiring children’s or young adult book writer from an underrepresented background? The brand-new All Stories mentorship programme could be for you! This is a unique and free opportunity to be mentored by an expert editor, with 14 mentorships on offer to underrepresented writers unable to pay for support. Applications are open until 31st May, with the mentorships running from September 2021 to February 2022. Find out more by clicking on this post.

Free Workshop on Writing Fiction For Young People with Spread The Word and Elle McNicholl

Spread the Word is delighted that as part of their continuing create-write-connect campaign offering free writing activities during these unprecedented times, Elle McNicholl will be running a FREE course all about writing for children and young people. In this course, you will learn about Elle's approach to writing award winning fiction for children, that is also inclusive of their teachers, parents and the wider literary world. This writing course will be delivered via e-mail using Mailchimp. You’ll receive five emails on the following dates: Thursday 27 May (introduction and guidance), Thursday 3 June, Thursday 10 June, Thursday 17 June and Thursday 24 June. Sign up by clicking 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!

Calling All Witty Women Writers – Win a Book Deal with Harper Collins or a Free MA

Entries are now Open for published and unpublished novels - Comedy Women in Print 2021. Comedy Women In Print is the brainchild of comedian, author, actress Helen Lederer. Its aim is to recognise, celebrate and encourage witty women authors. The Published Winner gets a massive amount of love from clever, celebrity judges and a stonking cash prize from ALCS. The Unpublished Winners are now published by Harper Collins and received an advance and huge attention. The Unpublished runner uppers' won a place on an MA in Creative Writing at the University of Hertfordshire and an MA in Comedy at Falmouth University. Submission window is April 12th – May 28th. Apply 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

Introducing the Royal Society of Literature’s new Digital Events Pack

RSL are proud to introduce their digital events pack, granting you access to all of their online events for just £25 a year – working out as less than £1 per event. Be part of events and conversations between writers from home, and enjoy a literary festival all year round from wherever you are. Buy your pass now to book for the recently announced Literature Matters: RSL 200 event with Neil Gaiman and Marlon James.