Courses and Competitions – The Writers’ Academy
Creative Writing for Beginners by The Writers’ Academy (Penguin Random House,) is being led by Selina Walker.
It’s a 10-week interactive online creative writing course which gives you the essential skills and techniques you need to get started writing fiction.
You will learn with experienced creative writing tutors, and interact with a highly experienced Editor at Penguin Random House as you are introduced to the key elements of writing a story: Character, Plot, Point of View, Description, Dialogue, Voice, Setting and Beginnings.
The course consists of a series of carefully planned weekly writing exercises, videos and podcasts from world-famous authors (including Audrey Niffenegger.)
The course will involve between five and ten hours of learning per week at whatever times suit you. You can contact the course enquires team on 0044 (0)203 026 0810 if you have any questions.
by 
Courses and Competitions: New Children’s Author Prize 2015.
National Literacy Trust and Bloomsbury Children’s Books want to find talented new authors of children’s fiction.
They are inviting you to submit your stories for eight to twelve-year-olds.
The first prize will be a publishing contract with Bloomsbury (including advance payment of £5,000 for your work,) as well as the use of “Winner of the New Children’s Author Prize 2015 from Bloomsbury and National Literacy Trust,” and a prize ceremony in your honour, with press, authors and publishers in attendance.
Shortlisted authors will get the use of “Runner up in the New Children’s Author Prize 2015 from Bloomsbury and National Literacy Trust,” as well as signed book bundles plus an invitation to attend the prize ceremony with the opportunity to meet agents, editors, press and others.
The competition will be closed for entries on 30 September 2014 at 5pm.
by Courses and Competitions – Literature Works
Literature Works are now accepting entries for the First Page Writing Prize 2014.
They seek opening pages (300 word limit,) of unpublished novels along with a 150 word synopsis from promising writers around the country. They are looking for openings of a novel that make them want to read on. The deadline for entries is September 30th 2014.
It’s £6 for the first entry and then £3 for all subsequent entries.
The first prize is £1500 plus reading from a literary agent. Second prize is £350 with the third prize being £150.
by Courses and Competitions – Writing Maps Writing Contest
Writing Maps think that good writing should be encouraged, shared and published.
Writing Maps are full of inspiration for writers. Each one contains at least 12 writing prompts and each map is beautifully illustrated. Maps available include; The Character Map, Writing People (for crowded places,) and My Writing Life.
Each month, to coincide with the launch of a new map, they hold a monthly Writing Maps Writing Contest
The challenge is to write and share a 150-word piece in response to their Prompt of the Month. This month, they launched the new box set and so, the word BOX is the prompt for May.
If you are one of the two winning entrants, Continue reading
by Courses and Competitions: Get going! The Writing Project Starter Kit
Give your writing project the best possible start with acclaimed writer and critic Erica Wagner and The Faber Academy.
Maybe that great idea is ready to be put down on paper or you’re in the middle of something but need some support to get it finished? Wherever you are in your writing project, over the course of five summer evenings this course will give you the equipment to take your work to the next level.
You’ll share your work with the rest of the group in a lively workshop environment, and get feedback on new writing through exercises and assignments. You’ll learn tips and tricks to get yourself started and discover tools to develop your writing. Come with your notes, chapters, or even just an idea.
The course will be 2-hour evening sessions Continue reading
by Book Club
