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Opportunities

The Caterpillar Poetry Prize

Have you written a poem you think would appeal to children? The Caterpillar Poetry Prize is an annual prize for unpublished poems written by adults for children aged 7–11. Every year since 2015, The Caterpillar Poetry Prize has been awarded to a single poem by a single judge – among them John Hegley, Chrissie Gittins, Roger McGough, Michael Morpurgo & Michael Rosen.

Bristol Short Story Prize

Don’t miss out on your chance to win £1,000 and publication in the Bristol Short Story Prize anthology. They are accepting entries of up to 4,000 words from any genre and from published and unpublished authors alike. All shortlisted entries will receive £50, be published in our print anthology and receive a free copy. Deadline: 31st January 2025

The Curae Prize

If you are an unpaid carer, enter The Curae Prize 2025. Winners will receive bursaries, mentoring, book tokens, online courses, and their work will be published in an anthology by the award-winning Renard Press. Last year’s anthology has already raised several hundred pounds for carers’ charities. Entries close on Saturday 1 March 2025.

BRAID UK University of Cambridge Research on Generative AI and the Novel

Focus group participants needed! Calling all novelists, publishers, and literary agents: have your say on how Generative AI could transform our industry by participating in this significant University of Cambridge research. Focus groups will take place in London, Edinburgh, and Manchester from February to April 2025. The duration will be 3.5 hours including breaks and refreshments and participants will be remunerated for their time.

The Northern Writers’ Awards

The Northern Writers’ Awards discover and support writers in the North of England, with a focus on supporting new work-in-progress. They offer a wide range of opportunities for writers at all stages of their careers, including publication, mentoring, manuscript assessment, writing placements, retreats and cash awards to buy time to write.

Screen Scotland

Screen Scotland has launched four film talent development initiatives designed to expand opportunities for filmmakers in Scotland to make short films or develop their first feature film: Short Film Development and Production, Early Development Shorts, Community Engagement Workshops, and Feature Film Script Development. The programmes are designed to support Scotland-based film writers, directors and producers, from early stage through to those on the cusp of making their first feature film. Applications for the four initiatives close Monday 20 January 2025.

Emerging Creative Associates

Emerging Creative Associates is a 6-month development programme for early career creatives living in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland. The programme is designed to guide and support the next generation of writers and artists in the region. Closing date: 27 January 2025.

Short Film Script Submissions 2025

The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire of Acting are accepting script submissions for short films to be shot in 2025. These short films will be shot with a professional team to broadcast quality and entered into film festivals. All contributors get access to the final product.

Children’s Writers & Illustrators Festival 2025

The Children’s Writers & Illustrators Festival 2025 is a series of real-time masterclasses, panel discussions and exclusive recordings broadcasted over a single weekend in March 2025. The festival is designed to provide attendees with a blend of tips on the creative process, practical insight into the current children's publishing marketplace, and information that helps demystify the publishing journey.

Search for a Storyteller 2025

David Fickling Books are looking for a special new storyteller. In partnership with Arvon, we are looking new, un-agented, un-published authors. The competition is open to all genres, all styles and all voices, aimed at readers between 8-18 years old. The winning author will receive several editorial sessions with David Fickling Books’ editorial team, an online Arvon at Home writing course and a publishing contract with David Fickling Books. Entries will be accepted between 00:00 1st February 2025 - 23:59 28th February 2025 - Entries sent outside this timeframe will not be considered.

Emerging Creative Associates

Emerging Creative Associates is a 6-month development programme for early career freelance writers and creatives living in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland. The programme is designed to guide and support the next generation of writers and artists in the region. Over 6-months, participants will be supported to develop their practice through training, mentoring and networking. The package of support, worth more than £1,500.

The Screenwriting Weekender

The Screenwriting Weekender, sponsored by North East Screen, is a packed weekend of TV industry talks, workshops and networking aimed at writers who want to improve their screenwriting skills, get industry know how and make new connections. We’ll hear from leading screenwriters such as Peter Straughan (Wolf Hall, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy) and Tony Schumacher (The Responder), execs from production companies such as Clerkenwell (Baby Reindeer) as well current opportunities from BBC Writers.

The Tom Grass Spirit of Adventure Literary Prize

The Tom Grass Spirit of Adventure Literary Prize is a writing prize dedicated to celebrating the spirit of our friend Tom Grass, a multi-talented writer, avid reader, and fearless traveller. The prize is for a short piece of stand-alone prose in either Fiction or Non-Fiction (1,500 - 3,000 words). It can be adapted from a longer work but must be satisfying to read by itself. The prize invites writers from all walks of life, whether writing a short story, essay, memoir, piece of reportage, historical investigation, or other hybrid form. We invite writers to grapple with the spirit of adventure in any way they interpret. Submissions close: 31st March 2025

To Hull And Back Humorous Short Story Competition

The To Hull And Back short story competition is a biennial writing contest with a humorous twist that celebrates the most imaginative and amazing short stories from writers all over the world.