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Opportunities

Periscope Flash Fiction Contest 2021 Now Open

Periscope Literary are running a Flash Fiction contest of 400 words on the theme of ‘Genius’. Prizes range from £800 to £200 and the entrance fee is £6. Deadline: Mon 30 Aug 2021. To submit or find out more, click this post.

The Northern Fiction Alliance Summer Showcase

This year's Northern Fiction Alliance Summer Showcase will feature newly published and forthcoming titles from the independent publishers 'And Other Stories', 'Bluemoose Books', 'Comma Press', 'Dead Ink' and 'Saraband' Books, with a packed line-up of author readings including Tice Cin, Heidi James, Courttia Newland, Harry Gallon & Jill Hopper. his outdoor event (weather permitting) will take place Tuesday 17th August at Partizan Brewing, London. Tickets are just £3 and limited to ensure social distancing - buy your ticket by clicking this post.

Apples & Snakes Present: The Red Sky Poetry Sessions

If you missed out on the first sessions then we have some good news! Apples & Snakes are running a second season of Red Sky Sessions in September. Over the course of five workshops, participants will explore themes and techniques to improve their writing, develop their craft and hone their skills through a series of workshops and talks from some of the country’s leading poets and facilitators. Free to join for participants aged 18 and over. Click this post to learn more. Closes 3 Sep | More info

Free Nature Writing Workshops for D/Deaf, Disabled and/or Neurodivergent Participants

Un/Natural is a series of nature writing workshops for D/deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent writers funded by the Royal Society of Literature's Literature Matters programme. The workshops will culminate in a paid performance. You must apply by 9th August and can see more information by clicking on this post.

Criptic X & Spread the Word Retreat for D/Deaf and Disabled Writers

Convened by CRIPtic x and Spread the Word, the Retreat is for 10 UK based d/Deaf and/or disabled writers of poetry, fiction and/ or scriptwriting and aims to encourage people to experiment and broaden their writing practice, get insight into the industry and become part of a writing community. The 2021 Retreat is entirely online and will focus on poetry, fiction, and scriptwriting. There will be creative exercises, workshops, guest readings, industry insights, and a public sharing event where participants can showcase their work to a wider audience. Guest workshos include Matilda Ibini (scriptwriting), Omikemi (poetry) and Charlotte Heather (fiction) and guest artists for the readings include Elle McNicoll and Nadia Nadarajah. There’ll be industry insights from Vici Wreford-Sinnott, Artistic Director of Little Cog; Julie Farrell, a writer, critic and activist and Aliya Gulamani, Assistant Commissioning Editor at Unbound. Jamie Hale and Ruth Harrison will also be doing an insight session on finding and applying for funding. Click on this post to learn more.

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.

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.

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