National Centre for Writing

With details of an upcoming set of courses for younger writers, a scriptwriting course and more:

Choose from fiction, poetry, memoir, scriptwriting and more Early bird discount on online courses – ends Wednesday Make space for your writing with our online courses designed in partnership with the University of East Anglia Book by Wednesday 22 July and get 10% off* Take your work to the next level with constructive feedback from an experienced tutor. Choose from courses in: * excludes 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 taught, with your tutor on hand to provide personalised feedback and advice. For shorter self-study courses (many of which are free) that 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

Plus – study scriptwriting from home, six-month in-depth fiction course and more July 2020 Free online courses for young people Launching 12 new courses for ages 6 - 17 years As part of a focus this week on our online writing resources, we’re launching 12 free online creative writing courses for young people of all ages. Each course is a great opportunity to explore writing through fun, engaging prompts and activities – whether it’s fiction, poetry, songwriting or any other kind of writing they want to develop. We've shared some of our favourite picks below – check out our website for the full course catalogue. How to Write Weird (for 13 - 17 yrs) Embrace the weird and wonderful in your writing by trying experimental techniques and looking at things from strange, new angles. Read more All My Friends Are Superheroes (for 9 - 12 yrs) Do you have a superpower? Use the small things that you’re really great at to build your own superhero character profile – which you can then use to write your own story. Read more Art in a Time of Crisis (for 13 - 17 yrs) Explore how writing can help you navigate your feelings and create something positive and active. We'll look at the different ways you might use writing to generate feelings of hope and to imagine a better future. Read more Tutor-led online courses for adults An Introduction to Scriptwriting Online creative writing course begins 21 September for 12 weeks Secure your place now for the autumn semester! Our online scriptwriting course is tutored by award-winning writer, performer and director Molly Naylor and is designed in partnership with the University of East Anglia. Limited places available. Great for beginners, this course will teach you how to: Work across various script forms Create a portfolio of ideas and exercises from which you can draw in the future Develop a pitch/story outline according to industry standards Gain a greater understanding of story structure and plot mechanisms Begin approaching agents and production companies Book your place on this course by Wednesday 22 July and get 10% off! Six-month fiction writing course In-depth online creative writing course begins 21 September Join award-winning novelist Anjali Joseph for a six-month, in-depth online writing course. Designed in partnership with the University of East Anglia, you will receive one-to-one feedback on your writing and complete practical exercises in plot, character, dialogue, description and editing – all working towards a final draft of a completed short story. Limited places available. Writing Science Fiction: World Building A free self-study online creative writing course All stories need good settings but science fiction has its own unique and particular needs, whether you're writing in the past, an alternative present or the far future. This course guides you through classic sci-fi settings and explores ways to craft your own. Enrol for free and study in your own time! We have courses and resources to suit all stages and budgets. To view our full range of online self-study courses, visit Writer's Toolkit Online. Top picks from the Writing Life podcast archive Ashley Stokes explores how to work with an editor Tips for finishing your first novel – with Amer Anwar How mentoring can help you to achieve your writing goals Ashley Stokes explores how to work with an editor Tips for finishing your first novel – with Amer Anwar How mentoring can help you to achieve your writing goals Crafting credible characters with Sarah Perry Watch the Melmoth author in conversation with Chris Gribble What makes for a memorable character? NCW Chief Executive Chris Gribble braved the wilds of Zoom to speak with Sarah Perry, the award-winning author of Melmoth and The Essex Serpent, about her personal approach to creating and developing characters.  This conversation forms part of our Early Career Writers' Resource Pack on 'Character'. Discover more free writing advice and practical resources below. You may also be interested in... Black Writers on Democracy submissions Deadline: Friday 31 July Stream Lyric seeks creative life-writing on the theme of ‘Democracy in my Lifetime’ from black writers across the age and gender spectrum. Submissions can take the form of: essay, poetry, dramatic monologue or speech. Find out more >> Writer and translator residencies in Montricher, Switzerland Deadline: Monday 14 September Applications are open for writer, translator or other creative residencies with the The Jan Michalski Foundation in Switzerland. All types of writing are considered but a percentage of 2021 residencies will be dedicated to nature writing, both in fiction and non-fiction form. Find out more >> The Galley Beggar Press Short Story Prize 2020/21 Deadline: Wednesday 30 September Enter your short story of up to 6,000 words to The Galley Beggar Press Short Story Prize! The winner receives a cash prize of £2,000. £10 entry fee – 150 free entries are available to writers on a low income who would not otherwise be able to afford to enter. 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