National Centre for Writing

With details of online courses and a 10% discount:

Sign up by 22 July and get 10% discount Online courses now on sale – book now for early bird discount Make space for your writing with our online courses designed in partnership with the University of East Anglia Early bird offer until Wednesday 22 July – get 10% discount* Take your work to the next level with constructive feedback from an experienced tutor. Choose from courses in: * Offer does not apply to 'Writing Fiction: Next Steps' Designed in partnership with the prestigious School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia We have courses and resources to suit all stages and budgets The courses above are fully tutored, with your tutor on hand to provide personalised feedback and advice. For shorter self-study courses which you can follow in your own time take a look at Writer’s Toolkit Online here. Copyright © 2020 National Centre for Writing, All rights reserved. Registered charity number: 1110725 Our mailing address is: National Centre for Writing Dragon Hall 115 - 123 King Street Norwich, Norfolk NR1 1QE United Kingdom  Forward

Plus – new online writing courses, one-to-one mentoring and more July 2020 Join our virtual book group! Read Attica Locke's 'exhilarating' thriller Bluebird, Bluebird On last week's epsiode of The Writing Life Podcast we revealed the identity of our next NCW Virtual Book Group book: Bluebird, Bluebird by acclaimed US author Attica Locke. Esi Edugyan described it for the Guardian as: ‘Mesmerising … original … exhilarating … Locke is building a compelling body of work. In this age of enduring and renewed racial tensions, we need her voice more than ever.' There are lots of ways that you can get involved with the book group: by joining our online community, signing up to a free digital Zoom discussion, checking out our discussion prompts and suggested activities...or just by reading along! On sale now: tutor-led online creative writing courses Book now and receive a 10% discount for a limited time Make space for your writing with our tutor-led online courses designed in partnership with the University of East Anglia. Study anywhere, at any time and received personalised feedback on your work. Choose from 12 or 24-week courses in: Fiction Poetry Creative non-fiction Crime writing Scriptwriting Memoir New! Book your place by Wednesday 22 July and get a 10% discount! Derek Owusu's 'profound' debut wins the 2020 Desmond Elliott Prize Last Thursday we were delighted to announce the winner of the 2020 Desmond Elliott Prize: That Reminds Me by Derek Owusu. The novel-in-verse, praised by judges as a ‘transcendent work of literature’, was chosen as the best debut novel across the UK and Ireland this year from a strong shortlist including The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré and The Private Joys of Nnenna Maloney by Okechukwu Nzelu. In addition to the £10,000 prize money, Derek will receive a tailored year-round platform of support and mentorship from the NCW, which is running the Desmond Elliott Prize for the first time this year as part of our new Early Career Awards portfolio. Gain advice and feedback on your writing project from an expert mentor Online sessions in poetry and fiction now available Writers of all kinds often face common challenges; from finding the time to write and tackling creative blockages to preparing manuscripts for publication. Our expert mentors are uniquely placed to help, from the fine detail of your work to the bigger picture of your life as a writer. Working one-to-one, each online session is focused on how best to help you, wherever you are in your writing journey. Free online self-study course Know your publishing options This course is your map to navigating the different paths to publication, from the traditional 'Big Five' to the DIY ethos of self-publishing. In this one-week, straight-to-the-point course you will: Find the best publishing path for your specific book Learn how to avoid author scams and bad contracts Get tips for promoting yourself and your book Discover platforms for distributing your work online And much more! This course is entirely free and yours to keep from the moment you sign up. Top picks from the Writing Life podcast archive Eimear McBride describes her writing method Joanna Penn on the changing landscape of self-publishing Balancing writing and teaching with Ashley Hickson-Lovence Eimear McBride describes her writing method Joanna Penn on the changing landscape of self-publishing Balancing writing and teaching with Ashley Hickson-Lovence Submissions open for the East Anglian Book Awards The search is on for the best books from the East of England Submissions for the 2020 East Anglian Book Awards, which celebrate the outstanding literary culture of the region, are now open.   Now in their thirteenth year, the Awards recognise the books and writers who have been shaped by, and have helped to shape, the culture of the East of England. Entries are welcomed for fiction, poetry, history & tradition, biography & memoir, general non-fiction and children's books. The deadline for submitting your entry is noon on Friday 31 July 2020. A partnership between the National Centre for Writing, Eastern Daily Press and Jarrold, in association with the University of East Anglia. Vacancy – Collaboration: Place: Change Project Assistant Application deadline: Monday 13 July Collaboration: Place: Change (CPC) is a professional development programme designed to develop current and next generation leaders’ skills and capacity in the arts and cultural sector across Norfolk and Suffolk. The team is seeking a part-time Project Assistant on a fixed-term contract until 31 March 2022. Apply now You may also be interested in... Sign up for the Take Flight Hub Development Surgery Tuesday 21 July, 2- 4pm, Zoom If you’re a budding or emerging writer of colour writing literary fiction, commercial fiction, narrative non-fiction or children’s/YA fiction, this free development surgery from Spread the Word will give you advice on where to go to develop your craft and build your career. Find out more >> Pop Up Projects: Ten Stories to Make a Difference Deadline: Friday 30 July Pop Up Projects is commissioning and publishing ten original short stories for young readers by ten writers and ten illustrators. Each story will explore or touch on the theme of 'difference'. Successful entries will receive a £500 fee and will receive 10 copies of their published book. Find out more >> The Virtual Writing Advice Desk Submissions open until Saturday 31 October The virtual version of The Writing Advice Desk from The Windows Project provides free feedback and advice from experienced published writers on scripts, novels and poetry. It will also offer information on self-publishing, script writing, poetry magazines and pamphlet publishers. Find out more >> Donate to the National Centre for Writing As a UK registered charity, we rely on the generosity of our supporters to make our work possible. Please consider making a donation today to ensure that the writers of tomorrow get the support they need to thrive and tell their story, whatever their background. Find out more The National Centre for Writing is supported by: Copyright © 2020 National Centre for Writing, All rights reserved. Registered charity number: 1110725 Our mailing address is: National Centre for Writing Dragon Hall 115 - 123 King Street Norwich, Norfolk NR1 1QE United Kingdom   Forward

'A unique, profound and transcendent work of literature' THAT REMINDS ME BY DEREK OWUSU WINS THE 2020 DESMOND ELLIOTT PRIZE The National Centre for Writing is delighted to announce that Derek Owusu’s That Reminds Me is the winner of the Desmond Elliott Prize 2020. The novel-in-verse, praised by judges Preti Taneja, Sinéad Gleeson and Sonia Sodha as a ‘transcendent work of literature’, is chosen as the best debut novel across the UK and Ireland this year. In addition to the £10,000 prize money, Derek will receive a tailored year-round platform of support and mentorship from the NCW, which is running the Desmond Elliott Prize for the first time this year as part of its new Early Career Awards portfolio. 'The judges and I were as shattered by the truths of the story as we were moved by the talent of its writer' – Preti Taneja, Chair of Judges Explore the 'powerful and moving' world of Derek Owusu's debut novel That Reminds Me is the story of one young man, from birth to adulthood, told in fragments of memory. It explores questions of identity, belonging, addiction, sexuality, violence, family and religion. Described by Michael Donkor for the Guardian as 'a singular achievement', it is a deeply moving and completely original work of literature from one of the brightest British writers of today. Read: coverage of the prize announcement Readers, writers and critics were thrilled by the news of Derek's Desmond Elliott Prize win – the first award so far for That Reminds Me and for publisher #Merky Books. Catch-up on Derek's interview with BBC Online, as well as coverage in the Guardian, Evening Standard and The Bookseller. Offer: Desmond Elliott shortlist bundle from The Book Hive There's still time to get all three Desmond Elliott Prize shortlisted books for £40! Award-winning independent bookshop The Book Hive are offering a special package offer for all three Desmond Elliott shortlisted titles: The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré, The Private Joys of Nnenna Maloney by Okechukwu Nzelu and That Reminds Me by Derek Owusu. More from the Early Career Awards Taylor Beidler wins the inaugural UEA New Forms Award 2020 The winner of the 2020 UEA New Forms Award for an innovative and daring new voice in fiction is Taylor Beidler. Taylor's project explores non-traditional storytelling and aims to synthesise her work as a playwright, performance artist and creative non-fiction writer. The Award was judged by writer and poet Inua Ellams, with Professor Henry Sutton and Dr. Claire Hynes of UEA and NCW Programme Director Peggy Hughes. Michelle Perkins is awarded the inaugural Laura Kinsella Fellowship 2020 The winner of the 2020 Laura Kinsella Fellowship, which recognises an exceptional writer who has experienced limiting circumstances, is Michelle Perkins. After experiencing some major life challenges, Michelle rediscovered writing as a means to make sense of her difficult family history. The Fellowship was judged by doctor and author Roopa Farooki and novelist and playwright Alice Jolly with Chief Executive of the NCW, Chris Gribble. Free resources to support your writing As part of the Early Career Awards platform, NCW is creating free digital resource packs to provide high quality support for writers everywhere. Browse the packs we've released so far below – they're full of advice from writers including Eimear McBride, Sarah Perry, Michael Donkor and Jenny Offill. Look out for our next pack in July on plot: how to find it and not lose it! Early Career Awards Resources are supported by Arts Council England. The National Centre for Writing is supported by: Copyright © 2020 National Centre for Writing, All rights reserved. Registered charity number: 1110725 Our mailing address is: National Centre for Writing Dragon Hall 115 - 123 King Street Norwich, Norfolk NR1 1QE United Kingdom   Forward

Plus – free online events, prize news, book offers and more June 2020 100 episodes of The Writing Life podcast Join us in celebrating our one hundredth episode as we relive some of our favourite moments on the show so far Featuring Val McDermid, Jackie Kay, Margaret Atwood, Ben Okri, Elif Shafak, Max Porter, Jenny Offill and more: The Writing Life Podcast brings you a weekly show full of writing advice and interviews, from early career debuts to self-publishers and narrative designers. So what are you waiting for? Get listening and subscribe! In this special episode, you'll catch snippets of fascinating conversations with bestselling authors, get an insight into the life of a bookseller and a sci-fi 'world-builder', and hear from writers who are tackling today's biggest ideas. Plus, there are top tips for writing your next best piece of work. Whether you're new to the podcast or a faithful listener, we'd like to say thank you for tuning in and invite you to raise a toast with us to all of our inspiring guests. Cheers to 100 episodes! Tonight: Watch the W G Sebald Lecture 2020 online Monday 29 June, 4pm This year's Sebald Lecture on Literary Translation will be given by Booker Prize-winning translator and biographer Professor David Bellos on the theme of 'The Myths and Mysteries of Literary Translation.' David Bellos has published over 25 books, including the widely acclaimed introduction to translation, Is That A Fish in Your Ear? The Amazing Adventure of Translation.  His biography of Georges Perec won the Prix Goncourt de la biographie in 1994, and his latest book is a study of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece, Les Misérables. This event is free to watch and will be streamed live on Zoom. The audience are invited to join a live Q&A with Professor Bellos afterwards. The Sebald Lecture is delivered by BCLT in partnership with the British Library and the National Centre for Writing Don't miss: The Desmond Elliott Prize 2020 winner announcement Thursday 2 July, 6.30pm Tune in as we reveal the winner of the most prestigious prize for first time novelists! Abi Daré, Okechukwu Nzelu and Derek Owusu are all in the running to win £10,000 and be named the best debut novel of 2020. For the first time this year, the Desmond Elliott Prize is being run by NCW as the flagship in its Early Career Awards portfolio, which also includes the newly created UEA New Forms Award and the Laura Kinsella Fellowship. Need a head start? To increase the lasting impact of awards, we’re releasing regular packages of free resources to help writers everywhere to develop their craft. Browse free resources >> Offer: shortlist book-bundle Get all three Desmond Elliott Prize shortlisted books for £40! Award-winning independent bookshop The Book Hive are celebrating the announcement of the DEP shortlist by offering a special book pack deal, including free postage to anywhere in the UK. Order here Are you a bookseller? Win £500 for your bookshop In the run-up to the Desmond Elliott Prize winner announcement, we have created a guide packed with succinct selling points to help indie bookshops and brave writers reach the readers they deserve. We'd love you to join in with the excitement and recommend books from the shortlist on your bookshop social media channels using #DEP20 for the chance to win £500! Find out more Sign-up to a free online productivity course Learn how to develop good writing habits Do you find yourself getting distracted or never finishing your projects? Let author and productivity expert Ben Johncock point you in the right direction. In this one-week, no-procrastinating course you will: Analyse your daily schedule for wasted time Find out how to take control of your smartphone Identify your 'hidden time' and how to make use of it Plus much more! This course is entirely free and yours to keep from the moment you sign up. Listen: Poetry in Lockdown A burst of optimism and inspiration, courtesy of poet, producer and tutor Lewis Buxton When Lewis Buxton began producing his live literature show TOAST he could never have planned for a global pandemic that would change every aspect of our modern lives. In this podcast, Lewis talks about how Coronavirus has affected his work and his methods for maintaining a 'normal' routine. He also treats us to some uplifting poetry readings of his own work and material from selected TOAST headliners. Listen now Top picks from the Writing Life podcast Improving representation in fiction Ben Okri urges active citizenship Creating characters with Michael Donkor Improving representation in fiction Ben Okri urges active citizenship Creating characters with Michael Donkor You may also be interested in... The V.S. Pritchett Prize 2020 Deadline: Friday 3 July The annual prize of £1,000 goes to the best unpublished short story of the year. The winning entry is also published in Prospect magazine and the RSL Review. Find out more >> Open call: Anthology of Lust and Erotica by Arab Women Deadline: Saturday 15 August Are you a female writer of Arab heritage? Saqi Books are looking for Arab women writers of prose and poetry to send them work on the topic of lust and erotica. £200 will be awarded for selected writing. Find out more >> 'Discoveries' launches for 2020 Submissions open: Monday 7 September Discoveries is a unique and ambitious writers’ development programme offering aspiring female writers of all ages and backgrounds encouragement and support at the beginning of their creative journeys. Find out more >> Donate to the National Centre for Writing As a UK registered charity, we rely on the generosity of our supporters to make our work possible. Please consider making a donation today to ensure that the writers of tomorrow get the support they need to thrive and tell their story, whatever their background. Find out more The National Centre for Writing is supported by: Copyright © 2020 National Centre for Writing, All rights reserved. Registered charity number: 1110725 Our mailing address is: National Centre for Writing Dragon Hall 115 - 123 King Street Norwich, Norfolk NR1 1QE United Kingdom    Forward