Opportunities for Young Writers
This is just a sample of the opportunities available to young writers in the region but there are plenty more if you keep your eyes open.
Courses
Part time adult creative writing classes
http://www.swarthmore.org.uk/
https://www.wea.org.uk/find-your-local-wea?r=yorkshire-humber
Writers Festival day, Leeds Trinity University (18+) March/April http://www.leedstrinity.ac.uk/events/humanities/leeds-trinity-writers-festival
Playwrights and New Writing, West Yorkshire Playhouse
https://www.wyp.org.uk/playwrights-and-new-writing/
Youth Theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse (different groups for ages 5-19) https://www.wyp.org.uk/about/creative-engagement/young-people/youth-theatre/
Creative Writing BA or MA – various universities including Warwick, Birmingham, Newcastle, Nottingham Liverpool John Moores and Lancaster.
Online courses https://poetryschool.com/
The Writing Squad (16-21 and beyond) – tailored support for talented young writers, applications open every 2 years http://www.writingsquad.com
Northern Writers Awards and Cuckoo Young Writers Awards (14-18) – financial awards for time-to-write and/or writer development opportunities work (January) http://www.northernwritersawards.com/
Cuckoo Chronicle (15-21) – publishes short fiction, poetry, articles and periodicals and Cuckoo Review (15-23) – publishes book, art, theatre, film, event and music reviews http://www.cuckoowriters.com/
Local Competitions
Ilkley Literature Festival Short Story and Poetry Competitions (1st August) http://www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/join-in/competitions
Leeds Peace Prize (14-18) (Feburary?) http://www.leedspeacepoetry.com/
YorkMix Poetry Competition (February) https://www.yorkmix.com/
Poetry Business pamphlet competition (Feb/March) http://www.poetrybusiness.co.uk
National Competition
Foyle Young Poets Of The Year Award (11-17) https://poetrysociety.org.uk/competitions/foyle-young-poets-of-the-year-award/
Websites Listing Other Competitions
http://www.poetrylibrary.org.uk/competitions/
http://www.thewritersacademy.co.uk/blog/writing-competitions/
https://jessicadavidson.co.uk/2016/11/14/novel-writing-competitions-for-international-uk-writers/
Page and performance poetry related opportunities and events
Comprehensive guides listing agents, publishers, production companies, magazines that come out annually
Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook
The Writer’s Handbook
N.B. Unless otherwise specified, the above opportunities are suited to over 18s.
