NAWE Online Conference 2025: Inspiring Writing
Friday 7 & Saturday 8 November 2025, Online
** Opening Speakers Announced - Naomi Alderman and Peter Sansom **
We're delighted to announce that our opening speakers at this year's NAWE Online Conference will be Naomi Alderman (Friday, 09:00-09:20) and Peter Sansom (Saturday, 09:00-09:20). Read more The inspiration continues as 90 contributors explore our theme of 'Inspiring Writing' from every perspective. Explore the full programme and book your ticket. All sessions recorded to watch on catch up afterwards. Do join us!
Writing in Education Issue 96 - Autumn 2025 - ONLINE NOW
The latest issue of Writing in Education is available to download now as a pdf (Please remember to login). In this issue: how to get students to participate more -- and what to do when that goes wrong - plus the benefits of AI and the dangers of the Internet Archive. Also, working with prisoners, using writing workshops as therapy for others and inspiration for ourselves, and examining just why we teach writing at all.
NAWE AGM 2025
This year's NAWE AGM will take place online via Zoom on Thursday 13 November 2025 from 18:30 – 19:00 GMT. This is the formal part of our business where we share the annual accounts and our report on NAWE’s work during 2024-25. All members are welcome to attend. Please pre-register by emailing admin@nawe.co.uk by 12 noon on Wednesday 12 November 2025.
NAWE Publication Deadlines
Writing in Education Issue 97: This will be a Conference Special so most if not all articles will be related to conference presentations and workshops. Submit by 19 December 2025.
NAWE’s Writing in Practice: The Journal of Creative Writing Research Volume 12 (Special issue exploring innovative & reflective approaches to creative writing pedagogy across all educational contexts): Please submit by midnight (GMT), 26 January 2026.
NAWE is now on Instagram, LinkedIn and Bluesky as well as Facebook - follow us for more NAWE news and updates from around the writing world.
Director, Literature and Bristol (SWB31), Arts Council England
Deadline: 10/05/2026 - South West England
As the Director, South West and Literature, you will play a key role in developing our national ambitions, as well as playing your part in a South West team dedicated to ensuring that culture thrives in all of our communities, from Tewkesbury to Portsmouth, from Swindon to the Isles of Scilly.
Finance Jobs at New Writing North
Deadline: 11/05/2026 - North East England
New Writing North are recruiting for the new posts of Finance and Governance Manager (deadline: 11 May) and Finance, Data and Operations Assistant (deadline: 14 May) as the organisation embarks on a transformational capital development project in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Author Hospitality Assistant, Edinburgh International Book Festival
Deadline: 04/05/2026 - Scotland
As an Author Hospitality Assistant, you will support the smooth day-to-day running of the Authors' Area, providing a warm welcome and efficient, attentive service to all guests.
Policy and Public Affairs Manager SCOTLAND, Society of Authors
Deadline: 04/05/2026 - Scotland
The Policy and Public Affairs Manager for Scotland is a member of the Policy and Public Affairs team. Working on behalf of members in Scotland, you will represent members’ (and authors’) interests throughout Scotland.
Author Curator - Granite Noir 2027 (Freelance), Aberdeen Performing Arts
Deadline: 14/05/2026 - Scotland
Aberdeen Performing Arts is seeking a freelance Author Curator to shape and deliver the programming for Granite Noir 2027, Scotland’s crime and noir writing festival.
Festival Manager (part-time), Nairn Book and Arts Festival
Deadline: 05/05/2026 - Scotland
Nairn Book and Arts Festival is seeking an experienced Festival Manager to deliver the 2026 festival (29th August – 6th September) and take this highly regarded, popular, and well-loved annual event forward into 2027.
Lecturer (Teaching) in Creative Writing, Coventry University Group
Deadline: 19/05/2026 - West Midlands
The School of Social Sciences and Humanities at Coventry University is recruiting for a Lecturer in Creative Writing to join our academic team.
Chief Executive Officer, Writing East Midlands
Deadline: 24/05/2026 - East Midlands
Due to the retirement of the current CEO, Henderson Mullin, in September 2026, Writing East Midlands is seeking an ambitious and values-driven Chief Executive Officer to lead the region’s literature development agency into the next chapter of its story.
Front of House Assistant, Edinburgh International Book Festival
Deadline: 07/05/2026 - Scotland
We’re looking for enthusiastic, motivated, and hardworking Front of House Assistants for this year’s festival which runs from 15 - 30 August 2026.
Trustee, Manchester City of Literature
Deadline: 18/05/2026 - UK
After our first six successful years, we are now seeking new Trustees to help lead the charity through its next stage of development.
Plymouth Young City Laureate 2026-27
Deadline: 06/07/2026 - South West England
Literature Works is teaming up again with Plymouth Culture to find Plymouth’s next Young City Laureate. Are you between the ages of 14 and 19 years, and passionate about creative writing? We’d love to hear from you!
Call for applications: New Dutch Writing Residency (Norwich, 2026)
Deadline: 20/04/2026 - East England
The National Centre for Writing invites proposals from a collaborating children’s author (including author/ illustrators) and translator team to take part in a two-week residency at the National Centre for Writing in Norwich as part of the New Dutch Writing programme.
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).
Dithering Chaps Poetry Chapbook Submissions Window
Deadline: 30/09/2026 - International
Dithering Chaps is a Dorset-based, not-for-profit publisher of poetry chapbooks (30-60 pages). Our submissions window is open for ten-page samples of your work. Open to writers worldwide.
The Edwin Morgan Trust: Clydebuilt 19
Deadline: 25/06/2026 - Scotland
Facilitated by St Mungo’s Mirrorball, Clydebuilt 19 is a free poetry mentorship scheme that offers emerging poets in Scotland the opportunity to work with an experienced mentor over the course of a year and develop a new portfolio of work.
The Masters Review: Best Emerging Writers 2026
Deadline: 07/06/2026 - International
Best Emerging Writers 2026 will showcase a collection of prose from ten emerging writers who are bold and brave, who tell stories only they can tell, stories that must be told now. Open to writers worldwide writing in English.
Blue Pencil Agency First Novel Award 2026
Deadline: 31/05/2026 - International
The international writing competition is open to unrepresented and unpublished authors for a novel in any adult fiction genre.
The Moth Short Story Prize 2026
Deadline: 15/06/2026 - International
The Moth Short Story Prize is an international prize, open to anyone over 16 from anywhere in the world, as long as your story is original and previously unpublished.
EACWP Flash-Fiction Contest 2026
Deadline: 30/04/2026 - Europe
The European Association of Creative Writing Programmes (EACWP) invites entries of 100-word flash fiction on the theme of 'Silence' for this year's contest. Open to all writers living in Europe & the Mediterranean.
The 2026 Burlington Contemporary Art Writing Prize
Deadline: 20/07/2026 - International
The Burlington Contemporary Art Writing Prize seeks to discover talented writers on contemporary art.
London Writers Centre: There Is Only Narrative: Non-Fiction Demystified with the Eve White Literary Agency
Deadline: 23/06/2026 - UK
London Writers Centre has launched the ‘There Is Only Narrative’ Competition in partnership with the Eve White Literary Agency. The goal of the competition is to find new writers of non-fiction from backgrounds underrepresented in UK publishing.
Arts Council England: Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) Round 24
Deadline: 02/07/2026 - England
Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) is a fund that supports individuals making a step-change in their creative practice. Ahead of the next round opening in June, Arts Council England has updated its guidance and resources.
Clore Leadership: Connect Reflect 2026
Deadline: 30/04/2026 - England
Clore Leadership’s Connect Reflect programme provides space for leaders working in the arts and culture sector in England to reflect, support, and share, beyond the daily pressures of their role. Deadlines from 30 April.
The SI Leeds Literary Prize 2026
Deadline: 25/05/2026 - UK
The SI Leeds Literary Prize is open to Black and Asian women writers aged 18 or over, based in the UK and writing fiction in English. 2026 sees the 8th edition of this biennial award.
The Bedford Competition 2026
Deadline: 31/10/2026 - International
The annual Bedford Writing Competition is an international Short Story and Poetry Competition that has been running for 12 years, with the 2025 competition attracting over 2800 entries from 61 different countries. Open to anyone over the age of 17 years.
The David Bellos Translation Prize 2026
Deadline: 10/05/2026 - International
Literary agency Janklow & Nesbit UK has launched its first ever Translation Prize which will be awarded to a superb translation of fiction into English.
The Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize 2026
Deadline: 19/04/2026 - International
The Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize is an international prize that supports and celebrates the adventure writing of today, recognising outstanding storytelling that engages and inspires readers. We work with published, unpublished and young writers of any nationality, writing in English. Deadlines from 19 April.
The BBC Comedy Collective
Deadline: 06/05/2026 - UK
The supercharged bursary scheme offers 10 places each year to mid-level comedy creatives from across the UK; a mix of writers, writer/performers, producers, directors, and editors who would like to further their careers in scripted comedy.
2026 Ashdown Forest Poetry Competition
Deadline: 08/05/2026 - UK
Ashdown Forest has long been the source of inspiration for many a writer and artist and is famously the setting of the Winnie-the-Pooh stories by A. A. Milne. This year, we’re celebrating the Centenary of these classics. The theme of our third annual poetry competition is friendship.
Apples & Snakes: Word's a Stage: Emerging Artist Callout
Deadline: 27/04/2026 - England
Word’s A Stage 2026 is Apples and Snakes’ performance poetry development programme for poets aged 21–30 based in England. This course is specifically geared towards improving both your writing and performance skills for poetry.
Cove Park Creative Residencies for Carers 2026
Deadline: 08/05/2026 - Scotland
This group residency is for unpaid adult carers with creative practices based in Scotland. The residencies are fully funded and provide supported time for unpaid carers to reconnect with their creative work and focus on new projects.
Alfred Fagon Award 2026
Deadline: 31/07/2026 - UK
The Alfred Fagon Award is open to any playwright of Caribbean or African descent, permanently resident in the UK, for the best original, new stage play in English.
The Matthew Lanyon Poetry Prize 2026
Deadline: 25/05/2026 - UK
The Matthew Lanyon Archive has announced a new national poetry prize, celebrating the life and creative legacy of Matthew Lanyon (1951-2016). Theme: The Archaeology of Tomorrow. The prize is free to enter.
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Bath Spa University: Writing with Technologies Short Course
Region: International
This four-week course is for writers who are curious about digital storytelling but aren't sure where to begin. You won't be learning to code or wrestling with software. Instead, you'll spend time thinking, imagining, designing and developing the ideas and vocabulary you need to bring ambitious digital projects to life, whether on your own or alongside future collaborators.
Europeana Writers' Room - monthly creative writing workshops
Region: International
This free, online monthly series of creative writing workshops uses collections from Europeana.eu as inspiration for writing prompts. The sessions take place on the first Wednesday of each month at 15:00-16:00 CEST (14:00-15:00 UK time) and each has its own theme so there are always new stories to be created!
The Writers' Block: Putting a Collection Together with Katrina Naomi with Falmouth Poetry Group
Region: South West England
A day of tips, discussion and practical exercises to give you confidence and a way ahead.
#SoAatHome : Sustainable work for writers: Finding roles that support your creative practice
Region: UK
Many authors seek supplementary or flexible work at different stages of their careers, yet the current job market can feel opaque and fast-moving.
Faber Academy: Creative Non-Fiction: From Practice to Project with Rebecca Giggs
Region: London
Ready to take your non-fiction project to the next phase? Outline in detail, develop and workshop your nonfiction writing with award-winning author Rebecca Giggs.
Irish Writers Centre: Writing Magical Realism with Tanya Farrelly
Region: International
In this eight-week online course we will be exploring what defines and differentiates Magical Realism from genres such as fantasy or absurdist fiction.
Arvon Poetry and Prose: Rocks and writing with Alyson Hallett and Ruth Allen
Region: Yorkshire
Explore your relationship with stones and landscapes in this unique course with Alyson Hallett and Ruth Allen.
2026 Manchester Writing School Summer Festival
Region: North West England
Join us for this four-day taste of life in the Manchester Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University (15–19 June 2026). Attend online on 15 and 16 June, in person on 18 and 19 June, or join us for all four days.
Yorkshire Writing Retreat
Region: Yorkshire
A six-night writing retreat in idyllic Holme Valley with Matt Kendick and Ruth Brandt, both widely experienced creative writing teachers. Along with workshops, feedback sessions and one-to-one chats, you’ll have plenty of unstructured time for putting new words on the page.
Rebecca Swift Foundation: Poet to Poet Workshop: Telling Tales with Naomi Wood
Region: UK
Join Naomi Wood for Telling Tales, a poetry and performance workshop exploring the moments that have shaped us and how we can bring them to life.
Write & Shine's Spring Salon, a week of writing and inspiration
Region: International
Join Write & Shine for our Spring Salon, a week of writing and inspiration—taking place virtually from 4-8 May 2026.
Lapidus Scotland: Budding Writers: 20 Workshops, 20 Days
Region: International
Lapidus Scotland is offering a series of twenty stand-alone writing for well-being workshops on Zoom, running daily from 9-10am (UK time) from Friday 1st to Wednesday 20th May 2026.
The Obsidian Black Poetry Lectures 2026
Region: International
After a successful pilot in 2023, Arvon is excited to be partnering with Obsidian to co-host The Black Poetry Lectures 2026.
Gottlieb in search of his Caro: literary fiction and nonfiction editor for collaborative and dedicated writers
Event Type:Mentoring and Coaching
Region: London
Novelist, journalist, teacher, and editor with over twenty years of experience as a serious writer and, just as relevantly, as a reader, looking for a fiction or nonfiction author with a manuscript that's at the mid-to-late stage when it would benefit from a second sensitive mind looking at it.
National Centre for Writing: How to Edit a Novel (eight-week course)
Region: International
Join National Centre for Writing and the University of East Anglia for an eight-week online tutored course dedicated to the art of novel editing. Led by Santanu Bhattacharya. £50 discount available..
Make It Less Sh*t: How to Enjoy the Editing Process
Region: International
A 90-minute workshop for any writer wanting to develop their self-editing skills, learn how to wrangle a first draft into shape, and find a new perspective on how much fun the editing process can be!
A THOUSAND STORIES writing conference for children’s writers of colour
Region: West Midlands
Megaphone Writers CIC has secured funding from ALCS to run A THOUSAND STORIES, a unique one day conference for emerging children's writers who are people of colour. The conference is in Birmingham on Saturday July 11th and tickets are just £10. Come and connect with a community of other children’s writers of colour in the city of a thousand stories!
Re-membering South Asian Feminist Poetics
Region: London
Join poet, educator, and creative practitioner Dr. Mona Manjot Dhaliwal for an immersive exploration of South Asian feminist poetics—where resistance meets reclamation.
Unf*ck Your Writing: Bullsh*t Writing Rules
Region: International
A friendly, informal, monthly group Zoom to talk about our creative processes, what's inspired us lately, what we're struggling with, and to share ideas on how to unf*ck ourselves (and our writing). Hosted by award-winning writer, editor and creative mentor Jo Gatford.
Lyra - Bristol Poetry Festival (17th - 26th April 2026)
Region: South West England
Lyra Festival is back in Bristol this April with a full 10-day programme of readings, open mics, slams, workshops, walking tours, family events + more. Headliners include Musa Okwonga, Shara McCallum, Michael Rosen, Travis Alabanza, plus many more writers, performers and brand new poetry collections, and theatre shows from Joelle Taylor and Inua Ellams.
The Writer's Compass is the name
for NAWE's information and advice services for writers generally, not just those
working in education.
The E-bulletin is sent to all
NAWE members, highlighting new additions to the website listings, which are
openly accessible. Some areas of the site (and other benefits) are however
restricted to certain membership levels. For more information, see our
Membership page.
NAWE aims to put creativity at the heart of education. NAWE is a charity funded largely by its members fees and donations.
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