Sunday, 8 June 2025

Spark Young Writers newsletter

 Not long now to submit for the Spark anthology or secure a place on Spark bookings:

Spark Sessions

Bookings are now open for 2025-26 sessions.


Our biggest ever programme of Spark groups meet in person all over the region, and online. 


You will find most of our groups in two sections: Junior aged young writers (school years 3-6, roughly equivalent to 7-11 years old) and Teenage writers (school years 7-13, roughly equivalent to 12-17 years old). 


In 2025 – 2026 the cost for the year is £100 (£10 a session) and you can pay by via a one-off bulk card payment, or monthly direct debit. We also offer a taster session for a one-off £10 payment so you can see if your child likes it before committing. 


Please contact the us if you would like to discuss other options for payment – we have free places available if your young person is eligible for free school meals, or pupil premium. Click here for eligibility criteria.


Call for Submissions - Spark Anthology

As a way to mark the incredible writing that has taken place this year at our Spark Young Writers sessions, we’d like to make an Anthology featuring the work from as many of our Sparks Writers as possible. Unlike the magazine, each piece submitted (as long as it falls within the submission guidelines – below) will be accepted. We will edit out obvious errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar and are working with a professional editor to bring the book together.

Opportunities For Young Writers

The HG Wells Short Story Competition

The annual HG Wells Fiction Short Story Competition offers a £500 Senior and £1,000 Junior prize and free publication of all shortlisted entries in a quality, professionally published paperback anthology.


This closes 8th July 2025 theme ‘The Middle Ground’ stories of between 1,500 and 5,000 words. Read the rules carefully for there are stipulations about how to layout speech etc.

The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2025

Is now open for entries and this year will be judged by the fantastic Colette Bryce and Will Harris.


The competition is open to anyone aged 11-17. The deadline to enter your poem(s) is midnight BST 31 July 2025. Entries must be written in English, but you can include phrases in your mother tongue or another language.


If you would like to enter an entry in BSL or braille please contact fyp@poetrysociety.org.uk.


It is FREE to enter and you can submit as many poems as you wish. Poems must be 40 lines or shorter. Find out more here, and read the rules here. You can also check out lots of writing resources and tips here, and join Young Poets Network for free year-round access to writing challenges and features about the poetry world.


Follow Us On Social Media

Did you know that Spark Young Writers is on Instagram, Facebook and X (Twitter)?


Follow us now to stay up to date with competitions, opportunities, and sneak peaks of Spark Young Writers' upcoming sessions.


Instagram - @thesparkwriters


Facebook - Spark Young Writers - Writing West Mids 


Tiktok - @Writingwestmids


X (Twitter) - @TheSparkWriters

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