The grant will enable us to do a number of things. Including:

Print edition of Myths of the Near Future. Myths is a journal of new writing by under 25s. The publication is co-edited with young writers who I guide through the editorial process – from a call out for submissions, to designing a flatplan for the content, to editing, marketing and running a launch event. Myths has been published three times a year as an eBook and given away for free. The print edition will compile the digital editions so far and be given away to young members. The book (including P&P) will be available to non-members for £10. We will continue to use this model, reaching as wide an audience as possible with our digital editions and online presence, and consolidating that work in a large format print compendium. Myths is fast becoming a first step into the world of publication for young writers. We’ve published a brilliant range of poetry, prose, creative nonfiction, reviews essays and  interviewed the likes of Ross Raisin, Joe Dunthorne, Evie Wyld, Helen Mort and David Morley.

Redeveloping the website. The homepage will be more tablet-friendly and less text-heavy. Young members will have access to members-only forums and message boards where they can share work, news and questions and have their posts tagged with user-generated profiles that link out to their work, blogs and social media. There will be writing prompts, challenges and feedback from the young writers’ co-ordinator (myself) and be able to download eBook editions of Myths of the Near Future for free. The website will be an interactive, curated and safe space for young writers to improve their work, find and share opportunities and network. Young Members will also have access to all the usual listings on the site, the weekly eBulletin and the NAWE archive.  

The Literary Consultancy Manuscript appraisal bursaries. When young writers we’re working with are ready to seek professional publication and representation, we have a fund allocated to providing them with editorial and manuscript appraisal services from The Literary Consultancy.  

Arts Award training courses. Arts Award inspires young people to grow their arts and leadership talents. The Young Writers’ Hub is now an Arts Award Centre and we will be offering courses for young people at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels of the award. Through Arts Award, young people gain a nationally recognised qualification enabling them to progress into further education and employment.

Young Members

To create the kind of online community and culture we’re looking for,  we’ll be giving away the first 100 memberships for free. Memberships are £20 a year and include -

Free hard copy of Myths of the Near Future
Full access to the website and forums
Feedback and online support
Weekly eBulletin of jobs and opportunities
Discounts to events and workshops
Access to TLC editorial services
Profile and opportunity to develop an online presence

If you are an individual or representing a group of young writers, please send a letter of enquiry including samples of current work, age and location of writers nominated to Wes Brown by Sunday November 1.

We're giving away 100 memberships on a first come, first served basis.

Get Involved

We are actively seeking new members, partners and collaborators. If you are a writer aged 16-25 and would like to get involved or know any young writers who might be interested or would like to sponsor a writer to become a young member of NAWE, please feel free to get in touch with Wes Brown.

Look out for us at the NAWE Conference in Durham, where we will presenting the latest changes to the Young Writers’ Hub and you can get a chance to see some of our writers perform.

Most importantly…

Myths is a publication we’re proud of at NAWE. It’s not simply an accomplished journal of new writing by under 25s but an exiting publication of new writing by writers of any age and intended to be enjoyed by everybody. I’ll leave you with a couple of poems we’ve published in previous issues. See www.nawe.co.uk/young-writers-hub for back issues.

To the future!


In the unlikely event of a fire

The magpies may wing from the roof
to the house across the street
and the resident cat will up and fly

out of the window
and the glass overhead will shatter
and spill pieces of itself between

the yellow leaves of books,
and old photographs will burn
black-and-white,

and we will walk across
the floor and commit
ourselves to the flames.

Imogen Cassells

Cherry Beer

I would wait up for you, I’d wash my hair,
put the make-up on so it looked like
I wasn’t wearing any but looked better
than wearing none and sit
on my bed reading, watching catch-up TV
until you texted ‘hey! I’m outside x.’

That bit was never a surprise
I’d trained myself to know
the sound, you getting out of a taxi;
an engine muted
a door slam
footsteps
I couldn’t be mad if you were late
we were so new
you weren’t yet mine,
you changed my candlelit scowls
with cherry beer in bed.
We would familiarise our day
tearing wrappers from bottles,
alternative sips and kisses before dawn
where I would fold
the scrunched red paper into cranes
and hold them after you left. 

Cara Brennan