Courses and Competitions: Creative Writing For Beginners
Have you always wanted to write a novel but haven’t known where to start? (Yes. I have.)
The Writers’ Academy (Penguin Random House) is running a Creative Writing Course for Beginners.
Through this course you will gain insight into writing techniques employed by best-selling authors, Contributors include Audrey Niffenegger (author of The Time Traveller’s Wife,) SJ Watson (Before I Go To Sleep) and Rowan Coleman (The Memory Book.) You will also benefit from the knowledge of the Random House editors.
Rowan Coleman
Whatever genre you’d like to write, this course can help equip you with the literary tools to start writing.
In this course there will be weekly activities that will guide you through topics like character, plot, point of view and description.
There are various start dates throughout the rest of the year. The next course begins on 27th June 2016 so there is still time to enrol. The next available start date after this current run is September.
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Courses and Competitions: Luke Bitmead Bursary 2016
Entries are now being accepted for the 2016 Luke Bitmead Bursary.
Luke was the first author to be published by Legend Press and the bursary was set up shortly after his sudden death in 2006. Now in its ninth year it is the UK’s biggest prize for unpublished authors.
It’s an annual award that was set up to support and encourage the work of novel writers whilst also raising awareness of mental health.
The top prize is a publishing contract with Legend Press as well as a £2,500 cash prize.
There is a £10 fee per submission which goes directly to the Luke Bitmead Memorial Fund. This needs to be paid before you submit your entry.
The novel must already completed before you enter and it must be over 60,000 words to be considered. Also, submissions should be from authors who have not been previously traditionally published and who are 16 or over.
by Courses and Competitions: Start Writing Fiction
Future Learn, in association with The Open University is offering this FREE online course called ‘Start Writing Fiction.’
This is suitable for anyone who is writing a book or is thinking of writing one. It’s held completely online so all you need is your computer, a notebook and a comfy chair. You’ll have a chance to give feedback on the work of fellow students as well as gain feedback for your own work.
This course focuses on creating characters, developing ideas as well as editing. It will look at the ritual of writing as well as the importance of keeping a journal.
You’ll also hear from writers such as Louis de Bernières, Alex Garland, Monique Roffey and Michèle Roberts as they talk about their approach to things such as research as well as how they got started with writing.
The latest course will run for 8 weeks and begins on 4th April 2016 so there is still plenty of time to sign up. Future Learn recommend that the course will need approximately 3 hours a week.
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Mslexia are still excepting entries for their Woman’s short story competition for 2016.
They are welcoming writers of all levels and experiences and you can write on any subject and style as long as it’s within the 2,200 word limit.
First prize not only includes its publication in the June issue of Mslexia, it also includes £2,000 and optional extras of a week’s writing retreat and a day with an editor at Virago Press.
The person who comes second will receive £500 and third place will receive £250. An additional three finalists will receive £100 and all six will be featured in the June edition of Mslexia.
The judge for this year is author, Michele Roberts.
Entry is £10 per story and the closing date is 14th March 2016.
For more information on the competition, how to enter and the terms and conditions, head to https://mslexia.co.uk
by Courses and Competitions: BBC Radio 2’s 500 Words Competition
Are you a budding writer or do you know one who is between 5-13 years? Well, BBC Radio 2’s 500 Words writing competition is back for 2016.
It’s an opportunity for young children to write, submit their story and win an amazing prize.
According to the 500 Words website, the story needs to be an original piece of fiction. It can be on any subject or theme. It just needs to be five hundred words or fewer.
The winning story could be read live on the radio by a superstar celebrity such as Hugh Bonneville, Sir Kenneth Branagh, Sherlock’s Benedict Cumberbatch or Jeremy Irons (Scar from The Lion King) and it could be heard by the millions of Radio 2 listeners.
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