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21 June 2023

Welcome to The Writer's Compass E-bulletin #580 Our next bulletin will be sent on 05/07/2023. Anything sent to Philippa Johnston by 03/07/2023 will be considered.

Like what you’re reading? This E-bulletin is sent to all NAWE members, associate members and e-members, highlighting new additions to the website listings. Some areas of the site and further benefits are restricted to certain membership levels.

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Feature

NAWE News

NAWE Members Meet-Up (12 July 2023, 19:00 – 20:00 BST, Online)
Join fellow NAWE members to share experience of writing in education in all its forms. Hosted by Jane Moss, Jonathan Davidson & Lucy Sweetman, this online event will include a short presentation on Arts Council England funding for writers (but applicable to other funding streams) from Jonathan. Free but booking essential. Register via Eventbrite See you there!

Writing in Education Volume 89 (Conference Issue) is Online
The Spring 2023 edition of Writing in Education, our bumper conference issue, is available to read online as a pdf or flipbook.

Launch of NAWE-commissioned Guide to Accessible Hybrid Literature Festivals
Manchester Poetry Library has published a NAWE-commissioned guide for festival leaders on how to improve their accessibility practice using Kendal Poetry Festival as a case study. Available as a free pdf download. Details here (apologies for broken link in previous bulletin).

Sue Dymoke
It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of Sue Dymoke. Sue was a long-standing member of NAWE and had in the last year become one of our Trustees. We hope to publish an appreciation of her contribution to NAWE at a future point.

For more NAWE news and updates from around the writing world, you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Jobs

Chief Executive Officer, Cultureword

Deadline: 15/04/2026 - North West England
North-West creative writing organisation Cultureword is seeking a proactive and passionate individual for the role of Chief Executive Officer to lead a dynamic creative writing programme across Greater Manchester.

Teaching Associate (Part Time, Fixed Term), The University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE)

Deadline: 20/04/2026 - East England
The University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) delivers high quality education for adult learners on a part-time basis. We wish to appoint two part-time Teaching Associates at 0.5 FTE to contribute to the expanding MSt in Creative Writing and our portfolio of award-bearing and short course creative writing programmes.

Learning & Participation Programme Manager, The National Centre for Writing

Deadline: 20/04/2026 - East England
Join the team! We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly effective project manager to maintain and grow our core learning and participation programmes.

Treasurer, Writing Our Legacy

Deadline: 02/04/2026 - UK
This is a voluntary mostly remote position focused on overseeing the organisation's financial affairs. You'll work closely with the CEO and Board to safeguard our financial health and support our mission to amplify diverse voices in the arts.

Opportunities with Word Up North

Deadline: 12/04/2026 - Yorkshire
Yorkshire literature development organisation Word Up North are looking for a Communications Manager (Deadline: Sunday 19 April 2026) and a Marketing & Digital Assistant (deadline: Sunday 12 April 2026).

State Library of Victoria UNESCO Cities of Literature Fellowship (Melbourne, 2026)

Deadline: 06/04/2026 - International
Open to applicants based in any UNESCO City of Literature (except Melbourne), State Library of Victoria seeks a fellow to generate new research and develop new work inspired by the Library's collections.

UNESCO City of Literature Greenway Residency (Devon) 2026

Deadline: 01/04/2026 - South West England
Exeter UNESCO City of Literature has opened the call for its inaugural writers’ residency at Greenway, the much-loved holiday home of Agatha Christie in Devon.

Masterclass: Fiction Writing Workshop Tutor, City Lit

Deadline: 07/04/2026 - London
Join our vibrant Writing department, home to over fifty dedicated writing professionals, where you will play a key role in supporting talented writers on our flagship creative writing course. The role is fixed-term from 30th September 2026 – 30 June 2027, with weekly in-person classes every Wednesday, 17:30 – 19:30 (66 hours total teaching time).

Marketing and Admin assistant required for a writer and new writer’s business

Deadline: 17/04/2026 - Republic of Ireland
The role will involve assisting a writer with admin and a new manuscript assessment business. It may lead to further opportunity in assisting with a new Creative Writers’ Retreats venture in conjunction with an international publisher. Job type: Flexible / casual, may lead to part / full time.

Marketing and Communications Manager, Push the Boat Out

Deadline: 13/04/2026 - Scotland
Push the Boat Out: Edinburgh’s International Poetry Festival is a platform for poetry, spoken word and performance, with an emphasis on bringing poetry into conversation with other art forms. We are looking for an exceptional candidate to join our small team to create and implement our marketing strategy on a year-round, freelance basis.

Two New Roles on the AHRC Creative Writing Together Project at Goldsmiths, University of London

Deadline: 01/04/2026 - London
Goldsmiths, University of London are currently recruiting for two new roles connected to its AHRC funded Creative Writing Together project based at Goldsmiths for a three-year fixed term period from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2029.

Volunteer Treasurer/Trustee, The Story Works

Deadline: 31/05/2026 - South West England
The Story Works is a Bournemouth-based creative charity dedicated to empowering people through storytelling and the arts. We are seeking a Volunteer Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees and help guide the financial sustainability of our growing organisation. If you are passionate about creativity, community, and responsible financial stewardship, we would love to hear from you.

Caster Cultural Fellow in Poetry, University of Leeds

Deadline: 01/04/2026 - Yorkshire
Are you a poet with a developing national and/or international profile for whom a poetry fellowship would make a significant artistic and professional difference?

Trustees, Cambridge Literary Festival

Deadline: 27/03/2026 - East England
Cambridge Literary Festival currently has opportunities for two enthusiastic and experienced people with a strong knowledge of Arts Fundraising and Digital Strategy to join its Board of Trustees on a voluntary basis.

Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer, National Centre for Writing

Deadline: 07/04/2026 - East England
We are seeking an outstanding individual to lead National Centre for Writing (NCW), as our new Artistic Director & Chief Executive Officer, into the future.

Reading Framework Teacher (Part-Time, March Start), Inkhead

Deadline: 10/03/2026 - England
Inkhead seeks a part-time Reading teacher to help strengthen progression and curriculum structure for a 9–14 programme. Combines structured curriculum contribution with potential weekly teaching from mid-March.

Trustees, London Writers Centre

Deadline: 02/04/2026 - London
We are looking for four passionate and ambitious Trustees to join our Board at an exciting time, as we move from being Spread the Word to London Writers Centre.

Trustees, New Writing South

Deadline: 20/03/2026 - South East England
Could you help us champion underrepresented writers? New Writing South supports writers across South East England who are often overlooked by mainstream publishing.

Autumn Voices seeks new project proposals

Deadline: 27/03/2026 - Scotland
Autumn Voices invites outline proposals from individuals in Scotland for projects which help to build partnerships in local and online communities by involving older people (those aged 60+) of local organisations in creative activities.

Chief Executive, Cultureword

Deadline: 08/03/2026 - North West England
Cultureword is seeking an inspiring and values-driven Chief Executive to lead the organisation into its next phase.

Competitions/Submissions

BSME Young Writers' Prize 2026 with Caitlin Moran

Deadline: 08/05/2026 - UK
The British Society of Magazine Editors has teamed up with award-winning journalist and BSME Columnist of the year, Caitlin Moran, to launch a bold new initiative: an annual prize to discover and support brilliant young writing talent.

Room to Write

Deadline: 31/05/2026 - UK
In the UK’s National Year of Reading, Airbnb will partner with arts charity Hay Festival to launch Room to Write – a new writing award. Open to UK-based writers, the award offers eight recipients an Airbnb coupon worth £1,500, enabling them to stay in a UK location of their choosing to support focused writing. Free to enter.

The Irish Writers Centre International Debut Novel Competition 2026

Deadline: 08/05/2026 - International
The Irish Writers Centre International Debut Novel Competition is an annual literary competition that awards twelve unpublished novelists with the opportunity to pitch their novels to leading publishers and literary agents.

New Writers 100 Word Writing Competition 2026

Deadline: 30/04/2026 - International
The New Writers 100-Word Writing Competition 2026 is seeking imaginative, thought-provoking stories or poems of up to 100 words from writers aged 18 or above based anywhere in the world.

Montreal International Poetry Prize 2026

Deadline: 15/05/2026 - International
The Montreal International Poetry Prize is committed to encouraging the creation of original works of poetry, to building international readerships, and to exploring the world’s Englishes.

The Alpine Fellowship Prizes 2026

Deadline: 01/05/2026 - International
The Alpine Fellowship Prizes 2026 are open for entries until 1 May 2026 on the theme of 'Joy'. Categories include Writing, Poetry and Theatre. International entries welcome.

The Gerard Rochford Poetry Prize 2026

Deadline: 30/06/2026 - International
The international poetry competition in memory of distinguished Aberdeen poet Gerard Rochford returns in 2026. Free to enter.

The 2026 ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize

Deadline: 18/05/2026 - International
Australian Book Review welcomes original short stories of between 2,000 and 5,000 words on any subject and in any style for the 2026 ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize, one of the world’s leading prizes for an original short story.

Anthology Poetry Competition 2026

Deadline: 31/10/2026 - International
Established to recognise and encourage excellence in the craft of poetry writing and to provide a platform for publication, the Anthology Poetry Competition is open to original and previously unpublished poems in the English language from writers worldwide.

Magma Open Poetry Pamphlet Competition 2026

Deadline: 01/07/2026 - International
Magma's fifth pamphlet competition is now open for entries. Prize: publication of the winning pamphlet and launch reading. Judge: Marjorie Lotfi.

Hampshire Young Poets Competition 2026

Deadline: 22/05/2026 - South East England
Winchester Poetry Festival invites young people across Hampshire to enter this year's Hampshire Young Poets Competition on the theme of 'Food'. Free to enter.

St Magnus Poetry Competition 2026

Deadline: 16/04/2026 - UK
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, St Magnus International Festival are holding a poetry competition to celebrate the Festival’s rich literary heritage, inspired by one of its founders, George Mackay Brown.

Applications Open: 2026 LABRC Summer School in Arts-Based Research

Deadline: 15/04/2026 - London
The London Arts-Based Research Centre has announced that applications are now open for the 2026 LABRC Summer School in Arts-Based Research: Knowing through Image, Language, and Psyche.

Anthology Personal Memoir Competition 2026

Deadline: 31/08/2026 - International
The Anthology Personal Memoir Competition is open to original and previously unpublished memoirs in the English language by writers of any nationality, living anywhere in the world. There are no constraints on themes or writing styles.

Call for Proposals for 3rd European Biblio/Poetry Therapy Conference 'Pilgrims of the Page'

Deadline: 03/05/2026 - South East England
The 3rd European Biblio/Poetry Therapy Conference will take place in Canterbury on 1st-2nd October 2026. We welcome proposals for presentations or workshops from people who are professionally active in biblio/poetry therapy and aligned disciplines on any aspect of biblio/poetry therapy research, theory or practice.

The Royal Mint Museum Short Story Competition 2026

Deadline: 17/04/2026 - UK
A golden opportunity for young writers! We are asking 7-11-year-olds to write a story about Gold using no more than 500-words. Free to enter.

Polygon: Call for submissions of romance fiction

Deadline: 30/04/2026 - Scotland
Polygon, an imprint of Birlinn, is currently seeking new submissions of romance fiction with a strong Scottish connection until 30 April 2026.

The Laurel Prize 2026 is Open for Submissions

Deadline: 01/05/2026 - International
UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage’s The Laurel Prize, for the best collection of environmental and nature poetry, enters its seventh year, with three new judges at the helm: poet and founder of The Poetry School Mimi Khalvati (Chair), poet and professor David Morley, and environmental policy expert Bethan Laughlin.

Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year Competition 2026

Deadline: 01/06/2026 - International
Poems (max 60 lines) on any subject and in any style, written principally in English are invited from writers worldwide aged 18 and over.

Curtis Brown Creative: Breakthrough Scholarship for LGBTQIA+ Horror Writers

Deadline: 23/03/2026 - UK
The Breakthrough Scholarship for LGBTQIA+ Horror Writers will award one talented LGBTQIA+ writer a free place on our new nine-week Writing Horror Fiction course with award-winning author Andrew Michael Hurley running from 13 April to 12 June 2026.

Events

How to Get Published - Writers' and Artists' Yearbook event

Region: North West England
In collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University and the Open University, The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook (Bloomsbury) offer a full day conference providing advice on writing fiction and poetry, and getting your work out into the world. The programme features talks from agents, publishers, and writers.

Starting to Write Audio Drama with award-winning writer Helen Cross

Region: International
Do you love audio drama? Now learn to write, structure and sell your own audio stories, over five sessions led by an award-winning writer. This interactive online course explores audio, radio and podcast drama. You will learn everything about this popular and growing art form, and discover how to write, structure and share your own audio stories.

Writing & Editing Prize-winning Sonnets with Hannah Lowe

Region: International
A unique sonnet workshop where Hannah Lowe will explore the mechanics of sonnets by generously sharing how she generated her own award-winning poems, including poems from her collection The Kids (winner of the Costa Book of the Year, shortlisted for the TS Eliot prize, Poetry Book Society Choice). There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion

Poems to Love, Sparks of Monthly Inspiration with Cath Drake

Region: International
Top up your poetry joy! This is a monthly shot of inspiration and professional development, reading great poems, new and old for pure poetry joy – an antidote to the news. NAWE Member Discount available.

Workshops and Masterclass Webinars: Eco-poetry and the Environment

Region: International
Five poets from Nine Arches Press each lead a 2-hour Workshop and a 1-hour Masterclass Webinar on aspects of eco-poetry and nature writing, discussing topics they are passionate about and that inform their practice. Running from May to early July 2026.

Writing the Past: An Introduction to Historical Fiction with Amanda Quinn

Region: North East England
This workshop will give you the tools to start working with history in your writing, including: How to create a believable and immersive historical world while still appealing to a modern reader; How to balance historical accuracy with engaging storytelling; Research tips and tricks.

New Writing South: Emotional Truth with Yvvette Edwards

Region: International
There are the facts of what happened and then there is the emotional truth. Your emotional truth is what you felt about a situation and sometimes has nothing to do with the facts. Using real life experience as our springboard, this workshop will explore the often complex and layered emotions beneath the facts. Part of First Tuesday Writers.

London Writers Centre: Agent Q&A with Eve White and Ludo Cinelli

Region: London
Join literary agents Eve White and Ludo Cinelli for a panel discussion and Q&A on non-fiction publishing.

Arvon Short Course: Fiction - A sense of place with Katherine Clements and Liz Flanagan

Region: Yorkshire
All stories must have a setting – a place and time in which the action happens. But how do we create these places, both real and imagined, and deliver rich, immersive worlds for our readers? How might we find inspiration in the landscapes around us, and invent fictional places that feel just as real as this one?

Moniack in a Month: Fantasy Fiction with Hannah Kaner

Region: International
Through four interactive workshops led by Hannah Kaner, you’ll explore the foundations of world-building.

New Writing North: Tees Valley Writing Conference 2026

Region: North East England
Our popular Writing Conference is coming to the Tees Valley for the first time! A day of panels, breakout sessions and workshops for writers of all kinds to connect with others and learn about craft and industry.

Sober Scribbles: An Introduction to Playwriting with Helen Jeffery

Region: International
Facilitated by writer, Helen Jeffery, this 6-week online course is aimed at those who are new to writing for stage.

Summer 2026: New Courses at the Irish Writers Centre (Online and In Person)

Region: International
Whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned pro; starting to tell your story or stuck on that second draft; whether you'd prefer to join us in person at No. 19 Parnell Square or online, there's something here for everyone.

Brighton Festival 2026 Literature & Words Programme

Region: South East England
Whatever your age, there are powerful writers and thinkers to encounter across this edition of Brighton Festival. From bold new fiction and poetry to urgent conversations shaping the world around us, the literature programme invites you to spend time with storytellers such as Joelle Taylor, Philippa Perry or Andi Osho, whose work open up fresh ways of seeing.

Ty Newydd : Writing Young Adult Fiction with Liz Hyder & Catherine Johnson

Region: Wales
Young Adult fiction is literature written for readers roughly between 12 to 18. It explores themes such as growing up, identity, friendship, love and self-discovery. Whether you’re struggling to finish a first draft or simply want some inspiration and top tips, this is the course for you.

Writing West Midlands: Building a Survive and Thrive Toolkit: For Neurodiverse Writers with Rachel Sambrooks

Region: International
A live and interactive online course empowering neurodiverse writers to discover what works, manage challenges, and shape a sustainable creative practice.

National Centre for Writing: How to Edit a Novel with Santanu Bhattacharya

Region: International
Approach your work with fresh perspective, and receive personalised feedback to refine your manuscript to its full potential.

Poetry School: Between Magic & Camouflage: Dressing up your Poems Studio with Sue Burge

Region: International
This workshop will examine different aspects of what we wear and why, from clothes-lines to chorus-lines. We will explore how references to items of clothing can create further imaginative layers in our poetry, and how, as a focus/theme, they can veil, disguise or expose our poetic intentions.

Write Your Own Novel (8-Week Course) with Aude Konan

Region: London
Have you always wondered what it’s like to write a novel? Do you have an idea that you dream of turning into a book one day? Are you ready to write your first novel now? Join Aude Konan for this holistic, immersive, two months-long weekend course in which you will learn how to create complex characters, plot your stories, find ways to remove your blocks and end with a solid plan for how to finish your novel.

Creative Writing mentoring and Developmental Editing, with Dr Craig Snelgrove

Event Type:Mentoring and Coaching
Region: International
Writing is a solitary craft, but the development of that craft doesn't have to be. If you’re spending days, if not weeks, stuck in a rut with your literary project, having a mentor or developmental editor there to offer expert guidance, advice or to just bounce ideas off has many benefits.

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