Creative writing awards: The 2025 Northern Writers Awards

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06 December 2024
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The Awards from New Writing North are open for entries from writers based in the North of England

The Awards are given to support work in progress by new, emerging and established writers, enabling them to develop work towards publication and progress professionally. The Awards are supported by Northumbria University, Arts Council England and a variety of publishing and media partners.
The 2025 Northern Writers Awards are:
• The Hachette Children’s Novel Award for debut writers of middle grade and YA fiction. Two winners will receive mentoring with Hachette and £3,000. Submit a writing sample between 3,000 and 6,000 words and a synopsis up to 600 words.
• Northern Writers’ Awards for Poetry: Winners will receive between £2,000 and £5,000 to enable them to develop work in progress and complete collections. Submit up to 30 poems and a commentary up to  600 words that describes the proposed project.
• Northern Debut Awards: Poetry. Winning poets will win a package of developmental support and a £2,000 bursary. Submit up to 30 poems and a 600 word commentary.
• Northern Writers’ Awards for Fiction and Narrative Non-Fiction: Winners will receive awards between £2,000 and £5,000 to develop works in progress and complete manuscripts. Submit a writing sample between 3,000 and 6,000 words and a commentary up to 600 words on the project.
• Northern Debut Awards: Fiction and Narrative Non-Fiction: Winning writers who have not yet published a full-length work will be offered a package of developmental support that includes a £2,000 bursary. Submit a sample between 3,000 and 6,000 words and a 600-word commentary.
•The Northumbria University Student and Alumni Award: £2,000 to a final-year student or recent graduate of Northumbria.
• Young Northern Writer Award for writers aged 18 and under. £150 for winners in two age categories.
• Matthew Hale Award for promising young writers who lack opportunity to pursue their talent: package of support and £500.

• The Eva Ibbotson Award for young writers aged 11-15 writing in English as an additional language: Package of support and £500.

The closing date is 6 February.

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For full details see the website.

 

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