The Northern
Writers’ Awards will celebrate their 25th anniversary year in 2024,
with many of the award categories now open for entry until 12 February 2024.
Founded and
produced by New Writing North, the Northern Writers’ Awards are the largest and
longest-running writer development programme of their kind in England, with a
reputation for identifying some of the country’s best unpublished writing.
Previous winners include Katie Hale, Kit Fan, Benjamin Myers, Okechukwu Nzelu,
Andrew McMillan, Helen Mort, Sharma Walfall and Hannah Hodgson.
By supporting
writers at an earlier stage than most literary awards – usually before an agent
or publisher is involved – the Northern Writers’ Awards offer crucial support
for writers at a pivotal stage of their careers, as well as providing a
pipeline of new talent to the publishing and broadcast industries.
Mari Hannah won a
Northern Writers’ Award in 2010 for the draft manuscript of her novel, Settled
Blood, leading to her signing with her literary agent Oli Munson at AM
Heath. Her fifteenth novel, The Longest Goodbye, will be published by
Orion in January 2024. Mari Hannah said: “I have often wondered where
I’d be without winning a Northern Writers’ Award at a time when my debut was on
the desk of Pan Macmillan’s then commissioning editor, Wayne Brookes. The
publishing industry regard New Writing North as the gold standard in terms of
writer development in our region. Back in 2010, they recognised my potential,
launching my career as a crime writer two years later. My fingers haven’t left
my keyboard since, so I’d urge writers to submit for these prestigious awards.
It literally changed my life.”
Judges for the 2024
awards include the poet Malika Booker, novelist Ashley Hickson-Lovence and literary
agent Rachel Mann.
Malika Booker
said: “I am
delighted to be the poetry judge for the Northern Writers’ Awards. It is
gratifying to be associated with a prize that has made such a difference to so
many poets lives, and launched the careers of some notable northern writers. I
really admire the developmental and interventionist nature of this prize and am
looking forward to reading the poems you all submit to the prize. I am
particularly looking for imaginative, and ambitious poems from poets whose
voices are distinctive and unique.”
Ashley Hickson-Lovence said: “It’s a great honour to
be a judge for the Northern Writers’ Awards. I am looking forward to
discovering new stories written with heart and crafted with flair. It's such a
great privilege to be given unrestricted access to new words, new worlds, new
wonders and I'm particularly looking forward to reading bold, original and
innovative works that aren't afraid to push the boundaries a bit. Can't wait to
get reading.”
Rachel Mann said: “It
is a sad rarity to be a literary agent based in the North of England, and so
I'm very pleased to be supporting the wonderful work of New Writing North
alongside Ashley and Malika. Excellent literature
knows no borders, despite the restrictions of the industry, and I'm so
looking forward to reading the nominees' submissions.”
The Northern
Writers’ Awards are produced by New Writing North with support from Northumbria
University and Arts Council England. The full suite of awards is made possible
by a range of vital partnerships with Arvon, Bonafide Films, Channel 4,
Hachette Children’s Group, Lime Pictures, The Literary Consultancy, Newcastle
University, The North Literary Agency, Oneworld Publications, The Society of
Authors, University of York, the Word Factory as well as generous donations
from individual donors including the Chaplin family, the Hale family, Andrew
McMillan, and Benjamin Myers.
Will Mackie, Senior Programme Manager (Talent Development) and Programme
Leader (MA in Publishing), said: “We’re hugely grateful to our lead partners Northumbria University and
Arts Council England for their continued support of the Northern Writers’
Awards. Over the course of the last 25 years, the Northern Writers’ Awards have
helped to transform the creative and professional lives of hundreds of writers
and have contributed to an enrichment of the UK’s writing culture. The awards
themselves have evolved during these ever-changing years, responding to the
challenges writers face in progressing their work and navigating their way
through the trade. As an organisation, we have built up a significant body of
learning that informs our specialist approach to talent development. We have
helped to build and sustain thriving networks in our writing communities and are
immensely proud of all our award winners. We are hugely grateful to the
partners and donors who make our work possible, our amazing judges and readers,
and the industry professionals who give their time and expertise to supporting
this programme.”
Richard Kelly,
Associate Professor in English and Creative Writing at Northumbria University,
said: “The Northern Writers’ Awards are precious, unique prizes, altogether a
lifeblood for up-and-coming creative writers in the region, and Northumbria
University is hugely proud to be a lead partner for what promises to be another
tremendous unveiling of new talent in 2024.”
The Northern
Writers’ Awards offer a wide range of support and opportunities for writers at
all stages of their careers, including publication, mentoring, manuscript
assessment, writing placements, retreats and cash awards to buy time to write.
The following
Northern Writers’ Awards, made possible through New
Writing North's partnership with its lead award partner Northumbria University, are now open until 12 February 2024:
Cash prizes of up to £5000 to support
writers of fiction, narrative non-fiction, YA, graphic novels, short stories
and poetry.
Structured developmental support to
writers of fiction, young adult fiction, narrative non-fiction or poetry who
are yet to publish a full-length work. The package of support includes a £2000
bursary and mentoring.
- Northumbria
University Student and Alumni Award
Worth £2000, for a single standalone piece of fiction, narrative
non-fiction or poetry, or an extract of a longer work, is open to final-year
students and recent graduates of Northumbria University in any discipline.
Open to young writers aged 11-18 who show promise but have had limited
opportunities to pursue their talent. This award is funded by the Hale family
and consists of a package of support created by New Writing North, worth £500.
- Young Northern
Writers’ Awards
Recognises young writers aged 11-14 and 15-18 whose work shows exceptional
promise. Each writer will be awarded £150. Up to two writers may also be highly
commended across the age categories.
In addition, the Hachette Children’s Novel Awards opened
for entry in October 2023 and are accepting entries until 4 January 2024. These
awards are open to debut writers of middle-grade children’s fiction and early
teen fiction. Two winners will receive £3000 each; and a nine-month programme
of mentoring opportunities with professionals at Hachette Children’s Group.
Judges for this award are JJ Arcanjo, Sadie Cheshire, Sarah Lennon Galavan,
Aliyana Hirji and Jordan Lees.
Later in 2024, further awards will include the Channel 4
Writing for Television Award; Tempest Prize for LGBTQ+ writers, funded by the
poet and novelist Andrew McMillan; the Finchale Award for Short Fiction, funded
by the novelist Benjamin Myers; and the Sid Chaplin Award.
Entry is now open via the New Writing North website.
