National Centre for Writing

With details of the 'Open Door' programme, free workshops and more: 

Part of Open Doors, funded by Arts Council England       NCW commissions writers, artists, musicians and scientists to explore new ways of connecting with audiences and to reflect on the role of the writer Part of Open Doors – supported by Arts Council England   The National Centre for Writing has today revealed a series of new commissions that will form the ‘Open Doors’ programme, in which writers, artists, musicians and scientists explore new ways of connecting with audiences and reflect on the role of the writer.   The programme will include an immersive play, new essays, interactive writing resources and micro residences. Derek Owusu, Kerri ní Dochartaigh, Rowan Hisayo Buchanan and Abir Mukherjee are among those who will create new work as part of the programme. Open Doors is funded by Arts Council England via the Ambition for Excellence programme.   'Open Doors is a programme of exciting new work and collaboration, commissioned during this most extraordinary year of closed doors. While creative livelihoods and outlets have been imperilled and risks have been very near and frighteningly tangible, it felt vital to encourage artists to create and to support them to imagine other vistas. Open Doors has enabled us to commission new work and to try new ways of working – something of fundamental importance as we prepare to reopen our venue doors to a changed world and the new possibilities it brings.' – Peggy Hughes, Programme Director at the National Centre for Writing     Open Doors includes:   Weather With You   Through essays and podcast interviews, Kerri ní Dochartaigh, Abir Mukherjee and Derek Owusu will reflect on how the experience of the past year has impacted on their work and their perceptions of the role of the writer.   The Group   A new interactive play from Jack McNamara and musician Angharad Davies. The Group is a three-part anthology told live via Whatsapp. As well as being a gripping story in its own right, the play questions our confidence in, and reliance on digital communication. (Premiering at Norfolk & Norwich Festival, May 2021).   Looking, Large and Small   Nature writer and environmental historian Jessica J. Lee and novelist and illustrator Rowan Hisayo Buchanan present an online seasonal pack of observations, illustrations and exercises which provide audiences with the tools to connect with nature close to home.   A Room of One's Own   Five micro writing residencies at the National Centre for Writing’s medieval home, Dragon Hall, have been awarded to Anne Amienne, Alexandra Birrell, Megan Bradbury, Carrie Patten and Julia Webb. Their work-in-progress spans creative non-fiction, poetry and fiction.   Translating Science   Through a series of commissions, roundtables and public events, NCW is partnering with Norwich Research Park to explore points of misconception and connection between storytelling and the sciences. The activity will explore new ways to approach the public understanding of life sciences, health and medical research.   NCW Open   NCW is working with artists to connect with the communities around Dragon Hall. Among the first of the projects is a new writing experience aimed at young people, delivered by Lewis Buxton and Daisy Henwood of poetry collective TOAST.     Original illustration for Open Doors by Richard Horne     The National Centre for Writing is supported by:   Copyright © 2021 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

Fiction, poetry & productivity courses   April 2021     Free online courses for poets and fiction writers!   With a bank holiday weekend coming up what better time to focus on your writing? Our new, short, free, online writing courses will help boost your confidence, increase your productivity and demystify the writing process. Bite-sized chapters make it easy to progress even while balancing work, school or family commitments. All you need is a computer and a love of writing!   Make fast progress with bite-sized chapters Fits in around your busy life and responsibilities Study from anywhere on your computer or mobile device No deadlines, no pressure, take it at your own pace Gain new techniques and insights       Supercharge Your Writing How to develop good writing habits with Ben Johncock   First Steps in Short Form Poetry From the Haiku to the Tanka with Aki Schilz   New Ways with Short Form Poetry Creating visual and digital poetry with Aki Schilz     Know Your Publishing Options Make the right decisions for your book with NCW   Writing Science Fiction: World Building Designing the final frontier   with Ian Nettleton   Story Prompts for Young Writers History is exciting – let's get writing! with Isabelle King   Take a tour:     Go even further   Continue your learning with these affordable £75 courses from expert tutors including Ben Johncock, Anna Cathenka, Mitch Johnson and Ian Nettleton:     How to be a Confident Poet If you write, you are a writer with Anna Cathenka   Writing Characters for Middle-Grade Fiction How to bring your characters to life with Mitch Johnson   How to Write More & Stay Happy Next level productivity for writers with Ben Johncock     Writing Science Fiction: Characters & Point of View Populating your worlds with new lifeforms with Ian Nettleton   Writing Science Fiction: Plottings & Endings Plotting, rewriting and redrafting   with Ian Nettleton   Writing Science Fiction Bundle All our sci-fi courses at a discounted price of £125   with Ian Nettleton   Browse the full catalogue and try the free courses over at courses.nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk     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 © 2021 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

Julia Blackburn leads a 12-week online memoir writing course   March 2021       An introduction to the memoir with Julia Blackburn Twelve-week online writing course begins Tuesday 4 May 2021   Life stories have resonance for others and are a gift to be shared. Through writing exercises, recommended reading, group discussions and one-to-one feedback from your tutor, you will develop an understanding of how memoirs are put together and gain the confidence to write your own story and share it with others. The course is developed in partnership with the University of East Anglia.   Julia Blackburn has written ten books of non-fiction, including Time Song (shortlisted for the 2019 Wainwright Golden Beer Book Prize), The Three of Us (winner of the 2009 J.R. Ackerley Award), and Thin Paths (shortlisted for the Ondaatje Prize and the Costa Biography Award).   Classes are capped at 15 places to ensure a high-quality experience. Book by 9am BST on Wednesday 7 April for a 10% early-bird discount!     More online courses on sale now   Scriptwriting – limited availability Creative Non-Fiction Start Writing Fiction – limited availability Start Writing Poetry – limited availability Crime Fiction Fiction: Next Steps (24-week course) – limited availability   All courses are designed in partnership with the University of East Anglia.   Top picks from The Writing Life podcast archive     Retelling history through fiction with Anni Domingo >>   Crowdfunded publishing with Tom Cox >>   The writing tricks of Charles Dickens with John Mullan >>     Retelling history through fiction with Anni Domingo >>   Crowdfunded publishing with Tom Cox >>     The writing tricks of Charles Dickens with John Mullan >>   Events coming up this month – all free!   Writing Through Movement: a workshop for 12 - 18 year olds Saturday 27 March, 2 - 4.30pm GMT, online, free Join YA author Sally-Anne Lomas and arts producer Sam Ruddock for an online workshop which will help you bring mind and body together. Using simple exercises (accessible to all), you will discover how to use your body to express yourself and generate creatives ideas.   Book now   NCW Virtual Book Club discussion: Rope Tuesday 30 March, 5.30 - 7pm BST, online, free   Join us for a discussion of NCW associate artist Khairani Barokka’s ‘lyrical, defiant’ first full poetry collection, Rope. These finely-tuned poems ask urgent questions about our impact upon the environment and examine carefully the fragile ties that bind our lives and our fate to our planet, our ecosystems and to our fellow humans. A friendly and informal book club session.   Book now   Meet the World: A View From Afar Tuesday 30 March, 7 - 8pm BST, online, free   We're delighted to welcome back Marcin Wilk and Liz Breslin, two of our former UNESCO City of Literature virtual writers in residence, to reflect on what it was like to visit and write about a city from hundreds of miles away. Hear about the connections they made between their home cities and Norwich, and learn how you can draw creative inspiration from distant locations through your computer screen   Supported by Dunedin and Krakow UNESCO cities of literature.   Book now   International Literary Translation and Creative Writing Summer School 2021 Applications now open!   The renowned Literary Translation Summer School (19 - 24 July 2021) brings together writers and translators from around the world for a unique and intensive one-week programme of hands-on literary translation and creative writing practice. The programme also includes panel discussions and short talks on industry topics, and readings with both authors and literary translators. Bursaries are available.    Apply by Monday 12 April   Delivered by the British Centre for Literary Translation in partnership with the National Centre for Writing.     Judges revealed for the Laura Kinsella Fellowship and UEA New Forms Award   We are delighted to announce the judges for the Laura Kinsella Fellowship and UEA New Forms Award which, together with the Desmond Elliott Prize, make up our Early Career Awards portfolio.   The Laura Kinsella Fellowship was created to support writers experiencing limiting circumstances or whose voices are underrepresented in mainstream literary fiction. The UEA New Forms Award champions an innovative and daring new voice in fiction.     You may also be interested in...   Front Room Poetry with Debris Stevenson Wednesday 31 March, 7.30pm BST, online, free Dyslexic writer, Grime poet, working-class academic, pansexual ex-Mormon and Bashment dancing social activist Debris is headlining Front Room Poetry. They are also looking for new poets to join the open mic. Find out more >>   Bucheon UNESCO City of Literature residency programme Deadline: Sunday 11 April An open call for writers, translators and cartoonists to take part in Bucheon's residency programme in October and November 2021. Literary artists with a connection to a city within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network are encouraged to apply. Find out more >>   The IET / Times / Chicken House Children’s Fiction Prize Deadline: 11.59pm BST, Friday 14 May The IET 150 Award will be awarded for a fiction manuscript that broadly explores or celebrates science, technology, engineering and maths. The prize is a publishing contract with Chicken House with a £10,000 advance and an offer of representation by a top literary agent. 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 © 2021 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