New Writing North
@newwritingnorth.bsky.social
The writing and reading development agency for the North of England.
Congrats to this year's Booker Prize shortlist!
We will be welcoming the winner to Tyneside on 13 November after the winner has been announced three days earlier. 🙂
Sign up to our newsletter for ticket info confirmsubscription.com/h/j/DCF98EB0...
We will be welcoming the winner to Tyneside on 13 November after the winner has been announced three days earlier. 🙂
Sign up to our newsletter for ticket info confirmsubscription.com/h/j/DCF98EB0...
September 24, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Congrats to this year's Booker Prize shortlist!
We will be welcoming the winner to Tyneside on 13 November after the winner has been announced three days earlier. 🙂
Sign up to our newsletter for ticket info confirmsubscription.com/h/j/DCF98EB0...
We will be welcoming the winner to Tyneside on 13 November after the winner has been announced three days earlier. 🙂
Sign up to our newsletter for ticket info confirmsubscription.com/h/j/DCF98EB0...
Mark Gatiss as Gabriel Book in Bookish, the new Netflix series about a bookseller-cum-detective set in post-war Britain.
August 22, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Mark Gatiss as Gabriel Book in Bookish, the new Netflix series about a bookseller-cum-detective set in post-war Britain.
🎉 Celebrate the power of the written word at Durham Book Festival 2025! 📚
From 10-12 October, delve into an autumn weekend jam packed with books, ideas and talent at Gala Durham, Clayport Library, Collected and online.
Find the full programme at DurhamBookFestival.com
From 10-12 October, delve into an autumn weekend jam packed with books, ideas and talent at Gala Durham, Clayport Library, Collected and online.
Find the full programme at DurhamBookFestival.com
August 14, 2025 at 10:47 AM
🎉 Celebrate the power of the written word at Durham Book Festival 2025! 📚
From 10-12 October, delve into an autumn weekend jam packed with books, ideas and talent at Gala Durham, Clayport Library, Collected and online.
Find the full programme at DurhamBookFestival.com
From 10-12 October, delve into an autumn weekend jam packed with books, ideas and talent at Gala Durham, Clayport Library, Collected and online.
Find the full programme at DurhamBookFestival.com
The season of crunchy leaves and fuzzy scarves – when book lovers rejoice – is on the horizon. We're here to boost your cosiness and creativity this autumn with an exciting slate of opportunities for writers and readers.
How will you get involved?
newwritingnorth.com/autumn-2025/
How will you get involved?
newwritingnorth.com/autumn-2025/
August 1, 2025 at 3:50 PM
The season of crunchy leaves and fuzzy scarves – when book lovers rejoice – is on the horizon. We're here to boost your cosiness and creativity this autumn with an exciting slate of opportunities for writers and readers.
How will you get involved?
newwritingnorth.com/autumn-2025/
How will you get involved?
newwritingnorth.com/autumn-2025/
It’s almost time for another year of Durham Book Festival, and to tide you over until the full programme is released in August, we’ve got five events open for booking right now!
All happening at Gala Durham and livestreamed. Find out more and book tickets: newwritingnorth.com/durham-book-...
All happening at Gala Durham and livestreamed. Find out more and book tickets: newwritingnorth.com/durham-book-...
July 24, 2025 at 2:24 PM
It’s almost time for another year of Durham Book Festival, and to tide you over until the full programme is released in August, we’ve got five events open for booking right now!
All happening at Gala Durham and livestreamed. Find out more and book tickets: newwritingnorth.com/durham-book-...
All happening at Gala Durham and livestreamed. Find out more and book tickets: newwritingnorth.com/durham-book-...
Situated in the heart of Newcastle, the centre will support writing and reading initiatives in the community as well as professional writers and publishing businesses across the region.
July 18, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Situated in the heart of Newcastle, the centre will support writing and reading initiatives in the community as well as professional writers and publishing businesses across the region.
We interviewed Marcia to find out more about her experience becoming a full-time writer later in life and the therapeutic power of revisiting her childhood through storytelling. Read the full interview below! newwritingnorth.com/journal/the-...
July 2, 2025 at 11:27 AM
We interviewed Marcia to find out more about her experience becoming a full-time writer later in life and the therapeutic power of revisiting her childhood through storytelling. Read the full interview below! newwritingnorth.com/journal/the-...
Win a copy of The Mercy Step by Marcia Hutchinson! To enter our giveaway, leave a comment telling us what you're currently reading, using #NorthernBookshelf and #TheMercyStep. We'll draw winners on Friday 11 July 📚
@mhut25.bsky.social @cassavarepublic.bsky.social
@mhut25.bsky.social @cassavarepublic.bsky.social
July 2, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Win a copy of The Mercy Step by Marcia Hutchinson! To enter our giveaway, leave a comment telling us what you're currently reading, using #NorthernBookshelf and #TheMercyStep. We'll draw winners on Friday 11 July 📚
@mhut25.bsky.social @cassavarepublic.bsky.social
@mhut25.bsky.social @cassavarepublic.bsky.social
What's on?
3 Jul – Trevor Wood at Newton Aycliffe Library
5 Jul – Eirinie Lapidaki at Consett Library
9 Jul – Eirinie Lapidaki at Jesmond Library
16 Jul – Sairish Hussain at Newcastle City Library
3 Jul – Trevor Wood at Newton Aycliffe Library
5 Jul – Eirinie Lapidaki at Consett Library
9 Jul – Eirinie Lapidaki at Jesmond Library
16 Jul – Sairish Hussain at Newcastle City Library
July 1, 2025 at 1:57 PM
What's on?
3 Jul – Trevor Wood at Newton Aycliffe Library
5 Jul – Eirinie Lapidaki at Consett Library
9 Jul – Eirinie Lapidaki at Jesmond Library
16 Jul – Sairish Hussain at Newcastle City Library
3 Jul – Trevor Wood at Newton Aycliffe Library
5 Jul – Eirinie Lapidaki at Consett Library
9 Jul – Eirinie Lapidaki at Jesmond Library
16 Jul – Sairish Hussain at Newcastle City Library
We need your help to continue being that invaluable first step for talented writers from the North. If you can - please join our circle of donors www.newwritingnorth.com/writers-for-writers
June 25, 2025 at 5:58 PM
We need your help to continue being that invaluable first step for talented writers from the North. If you can - please join our circle of donors www.newwritingnorth.com/writers-for-writers
Princess Arinola Adegbite from Manchester wins the final Northern Debut Award for Poetry!
"I am very grateful and honoured. I wrote many of these poems during an unpredictable time, and this award has reminded me that anyone can make art and beauty out of their life."
"I am very grateful and honoured. I wrote many of these poems during an unpredictable time, and this award has reminded me that anyone can make art and beauty out of their life."
June 24, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Princess Arinola Adegbite from Manchester wins the final Northern Debut Award for Poetry!
"I am very grateful and honoured. I wrote many of these poems during an unpredictable time, and this award has reminded me that anyone can make art and beauty out of their life."
"I am very grateful and honoured. I wrote many of these poems during an unpredictable time, and this award has reminded me that anyone can make art and beauty out of their life."
The next Northern Debut Award for Poetry goes to South Pennines writer Sammy Weaver.
"It means the world to be given support along the rocky journey of being a writer. This recognition, mentoring and community will be a huge help as I navigate this next step in my career."
"It means the world to be given support along the rocky journey of being a writer. This recognition, mentoring and community will be a huge help as I navigate this next step in my career."
June 24, 2025 at 8:22 PM
The next Northern Debut Award for Poetry goes to South Pennines writer Sammy Weaver.
"It means the world to be given support along the rocky journey of being a writer. This recognition, mentoring and community will be a huge help as I navigate this next step in my career."
"It means the world to be given support along the rocky journey of being a writer. This recognition, mentoring and community will be a huge help as I navigate this next step in my career."
Fae Wolfe from Manchester wins a Northern Debut Award for Poetry.
"For this award, I thank my wife for their unwavering encouragement for my writing. And to my late mother, whose stories are entangled within mine, and for her, I write."
"For this award, I thank my wife for their unwavering encouragement for my writing. And to my late mother, whose stories are entangled within mine, and for her, I write."
June 24, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Fae Wolfe from Manchester wins a Northern Debut Award for Poetry.
"For this award, I thank my wife for their unwavering encouragement for my writing. And to my late mother, whose stories are entangled within mine, and for her, I write."
"For this award, I thank my wife for their unwavering encouragement for my writing. And to my late mother, whose stories are entangled within mine, and for her, I write."
The Northern Writers' Award for Poetry goes to Ian Humphreys from Hebden Bridge!
"I’m so grateful to the judges – both of whom are poets I really admire – for recognising the potential of my work. The award will prove invaluable in giving me the time, space and support I need."
"I’m so grateful to the judges – both of whom are poets I really admire – for recognising the potential of my work. The award will prove invaluable in giving me the time, space and support I need."
June 24, 2025 at 8:19 PM
The Northern Writers' Award for Poetry goes to Ian Humphreys from Hebden Bridge!
"I’m so grateful to the judges – both of whom are poets I really admire – for recognising the potential of my work. The award will prove invaluable in giving me the time, space and support I need."
"I’m so grateful to the judges – both of whom are poets I really admire – for recognising the potential of my work. The award will prove invaluable in giving me the time, space and support I need."
The Northern Debut Award for Young Adult Fiction goes to Manchester writer Cat Stobbs.
"When I received the email to say I had won I was euphoric. After years of knocking on the door it feels like someone has now opened it for me – I can't wait to see what's on the other side!"
"When I received the email to say I had won I was euphoric. After years of knocking on the door it feels like someone has now opened it for me – I can't wait to see what's on the other side!"
June 24, 2025 at 8:16 PM
The Northern Debut Award for Young Adult Fiction goes to Manchester writer Cat Stobbs.
"When I received the email to say I had won I was euphoric. After years of knocking on the door it feels like someone has now opened it for me – I can't wait to see what's on the other side!"
"When I received the email to say I had won I was euphoric. After years of knocking on the door it feels like someone has now opened it for me – I can't wait to see what's on the other side!"
Liverpool writer Sarah Whitehead also wins a Northern Debut Award for Fiction.
"I'm delighted and honoured to receive an award! I've been thinking about this novel since I was a teenager, and I feel so lucky to receive support and guidance to help me finish it."
"I'm delighted and honoured to receive an award! I've been thinking about this novel since I was a teenager, and I feel so lucky to receive support and guidance to help me finish it."
June 24, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Liverpool writer Sarah Whitehead also wins a Northern Debut Award for Fiction.
"I'm delighted and honoured to receive an award! I've been thinking about this novel since I was a teenager, and I feel so lucky to receive support and guidance to help me finish it."
"I'm delighted and honoured to receive an award! I've been thinking about this novel since I was a teenager, and I feel so lucky to receive support and guidance to help me finish it."
Fuk Ching Wong (Helena), based in Manchester wins a Northern Debut Award for Fiction!
"I came to the UK, a place where storytelling has long flourished, believing that my work could be fully appreciated, and that belief was affirmed. The North welcomed my story with open arms."
"I came to the UK, a place where storytelling has long flourished, believing that my work could be fully appreciated, and that belief was affirmed. The North welcomed my story with open arms."
June 24, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Fuk Ching Wong (Helena), based in Manchester wins a Northern Debut Award for Fiction!
"I came to the UK, a place where storytelling has long flourished, believing that my work could be fully appreciated, and that belief was affirmed. The North welcomed my story with open arms."
"I came to the UK, a place where storytelling has long flourished, believing that my work could be fully appreciated, and that belief was affirmed. The North welcomed my story with open arms."
The second Northern Writers' Award for Fiction goes to Kerry Andrew from West Yorkshire.
"I'm so delighted to have been given a Northern Writers' Award! It's really validating for me as a writer and will massively support me as I embark on my first historical novel."
"I'm so delighted to have been given a Northern Writers' Award! It's really validating for me as a writer and will massively support me as I embark on my first historical novel."
June 24, 2025 at 8:13 PM
The second Northern Writers' Award for Fiction goes to Kerry Andrew from West Yorkshire.
"I'm so delighted to have been given a Northern Writers' Award! It's really validating for me as a writer and will massively support me as I embark on my first historical novel."
"I'm so delighted to have been given a Northern Writers' Award! It's really validating for me as a writer and will massively support me as I embark on my first historical novel."
@sarahbutlerwriter.bsky.social from Manchester wins a Northern Writers' Award for Fiction!
"This has come at the perfect time: after a particularly tough round of rejections. To have New Writing North demonstrate their belief in me has lifted my heart and helped me believe in myself again."
"This has come at the perfect time: after a particularly tough round of rejections. To have New Writing North demonstrate their belief in me has lifted my heart and helped me believe in myself again."
June 24, 2025 at 8:12 PM
@sarahbutlerwriter.bsky.social from Manchester wins a Northern Writers' Award for Fiction!
"This has come at the perfect time: after a particularly tough round of rejections. To have New Writing North demonstrate their belief in me has lifted my heart and helped me believe in myself again."
"This has come at the perfect time: after a particularly tough round of rejections. To have New Writing North demonstrate their belief in me has lifted my heart and helped me believe in myself again."
And the second winner of the Hachette Children's Novel Award is North Yorkshire writer Camilla Cassidy.
"It's absolutely wonderful to win. This vote of confidence from New Writing North and the judges will make a tremendous difference to me and my novel."
"It's absolutely wonderful to win. This vote of confidence from New Writing North and the judges will make a tremendous difference to me and my novel."
June 24, 2025 at 8:01 PM
And the second winner of the Hachette Children's Novel Award is North Yorkshire writer Camilla Cassidy.
"It's absolutely wonderful to win. This vote of confidence from New Writing North and the judges will make a tremendous difference to me and my novel."
"It's absolutely wonderful to win. This vote of confidence from New Writing North and the judges will make a tremendous difference to me and my novel."
The first winner of the Hachette Children's Novel Award is Tony Kerr from Sunderland.
"As a working-class boy, it was books that lifted me out of my everyday life and showed me the path to a different future. Now it is my dream to open that world up to other children."
"As a working-class boy, it was books that lifted me out of my everyday life and showed me the path to a different future. Now it is my dream to open that world up to other children."
June 24, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The first winner of the Hachette Children's Novel Award is Tony Kerr from Sunderland.
"As a working-class boy, it was books that lifted me out of my everyday life and showed me the path to a different future. Now it is my dream to open that world up to other children."
"As a working-class boy, it was books that lifted me out of my everyday life and showed me the path to a different future. Now it is my dream to open that world up to other children."
Grace Higgins from Newcastle wins the Northumbria University Student and Alumni Award.
"My time at Northumbria University has been extremely valuable, and without the encouragement of my classmates and module leaders, I doubt I would have submitted my work to the awards."
"My time at Northumbria University has been extremely valuable, and without the encouragement of my classmates and module leaders, I doubt I would have submitted my work to the awards."
June 24, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Grace Higgins from Newcastle wins the Northumbria University Student and Alumni Award.
"My time at Northumbria University has been extremely valuable, and without the encouragement of my classmates and module leaders, I doubt I would have submitted my work to the awards."
"My time at Northumbria University has been extremely valuable, and without the encouragement of my classmates and module leaders, I doubt I would have submitted my work to the awards."
The winner of the Arvon Award is North Shields writer, cyclist and psychologist Xani Byrne.
"Winning the Arvon Award feels like the wind has spun around and started blowing at my back. It's a welcome push up the hill and it has given me the self-confidence to continue."
"Winning the Arvon Award feels like the wind has spun around and started blowing at my back. It's a welcome push up the hill and it has given me the self-confidence to continue."
June 24, 2025 at 7:55 PM
The winner of the Arvon Award is North Shields writer, cyclist and psychologist Xani Byrne.
"Winning the Arvon Award feels like the wind has spun around and started blowing at my back. It's a welcome push up the hill and it has given me the self-confidence to continue."
"Winning the Arvon Award feels like the wind has spun around and started blowing at my back. It's a welcome push up the hill and it has given me the self-confidence to continue."
And a Northern Promise TLC Award goes to Ciel Stynes from North Yorkshire.
"I'm thrilled to bits! It's so validating to have someone believe in me. I never thought it would happen to me! I almost didn't enter because I thought I stood no chance, but I'm so thankful that I did."
"I'm thrilled to bits! It's so validating to have someone believe in me. I never thought it would happen to me! I almost didn't enter because I thought I stood no chance, but I'm so thankful that I did."
June 24, 2025 at 7:53 PM
And a Northern Promise TLC Award goes to Ciel Stynes from North Yorkshire.
"I'm thrilled to bits! It's so validating to have someone believe in me. I never thought it would happen to me! I almost didn't enter because I thought I stood no chance, but I'm so thankful that I did."
"I'm thrilled to bits! It's so validating to have someone believe in me. I never thought it would happen to me! I almost didn't enter because I thought I stood no chance, but I'm so thankful that I did."
Tammie Meera Ash @northerntam.bsky.social from Bradford wins a Northern Promise TLC Award!
"I’m so thrilled to have won – this was not on my bingo card for 2025! It’s a huge confidence boost and a big motivation to keep writing."
"I’m so thrilled to have won – this was not on my bingo card for 2025! It’s a huge confidence boost and a big motivation to keep writing."
June 24, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Tammie Meera Ash @northerntam.bsky.social from Bradford wins a Northern Promise TLC Award!
"I’m so thrilled to have won – this was not on my bingo card for 2025! It’s a huge confidence boost and a big motivation to keep writing."
"I’m so thrilled to have won – this was not on my bingo card for 2025! It’s a huge confidence boost and a big motivation to keep writing."