Tuesday 14 March 2023

Spark Young Writers newsletter

With details of the 2023 Young Writers' Toolkit and other opportunities:

Book Your Place for the 2023 Young Writers' Toolkit!

You love writing and have done since you knew how to write. You would like to forge a career as a writer, but don't know how to, or whether it's a viable option...

Look no further than our Young Writers’ Toolkit!

The Toolkit is an in-person event on Saturday 25 March for those aged 14-24, and their parents and carers, that offers essential information and guidance to all young writers.

The Toolkit offers plenty of opportunities to ask questions and meet other writers your own age, it will help you find out:

· More about working in the publishing industry.

· What other kinds of jobs you could do that reflect your skills and passion for writing.

· How to utilise this passion to go from writing for fun, to writing and getting paid.

· The contents of a Creative Writing University course and whether you need to study Creative Writing to be a writer (clue: no!)

· The different ways in finding inspiration and motivation when your writing reaches a lull.

We are also offering one-to-ones from 10:00am - 12:00pm with Writing West Midlands staff that are tailored just for you – these need to be booked separately and are available on a first come, first served basis.

Our speakers include:

· Novelist and Creative Writing Lecturer Charley Barnes

· Former Birmingham Young Poet Laureate and writer Nyanda Foday

· TV producer and scriptwriter David Chikwe

· YouTuber, book reviewer and former book publicist Leena Normington

· Former Birmingham Poet Laureate, performer and workshop leader Casey Bailey

Book your place now!

Timetable of the Day:

10am - 12.20pm

12:30pm - 1.30pm

1.30pm - 2.15pm

2.15pm - 2.30pm

2.30pm - 3.15pm

3.15pm - 3.45pm

3.45pm - 4.30pm

One-to-one advice sessions with WWM staff

Registration and Young Writer meet-up / opportunity for a lunch break. Please bring your own lunch as lunch will not be provided.

Becoming a Writer with Charley Barnes and Nyanda Foday

Comfort break/book signing

Working as a writer with David Chikwe and Leena Normington

Comfort break/book signing

Author interview: 'Keeping It Real' with Casey Bailey

Details:

Price: Tickets cost £15 - £20 with bursaries available

Date: Saturday 25th March 2023, 12:30pm – 4.30pm

Location: Birmingham & Midland Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham, England, B3 3BS

More Opportunities

Submissions Open for Sparks Magazine Issue 26:

Issue 26 of Spark Young Writers Magazine will be published in April 2023. If you are a young writer from the West Midlands region, please consider submitting your writing to be included in our magazine. Submit by 6pm, 27th March 2023 to be considered.

Submit Now

BBC Young Writers' Award 2023:

Submissions for the BBC's Young Writers’ Award with Cambridge University are open! If you are aged between 14-18, submit stories of up to 1000 words for the chance to win. Submissions close at 9am (GMT) on Monday 20th March 2023.