WRITERS' BLOCK 2024-25
SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
QUICK INSTRUCTIONS:
If you want help and support to write a novel, and then meet top literary agents, just put together a document containing a two-page synopsis of a novel idea, plus a seven page sample of your writing.
Then CLICK HERE to apply.
And that's it. Applications closed at 11.59pm on Thursday 11th April 2024. Good luck!
Do you have an idea for a novel? If so, we would like to help you take that idea and develop it all the way to a complete draft manuscript, ready to present to agents.
It worked for Carmen Marcus, JM Hall, Lisette Auton, Becky Orwin, Mike Edwards, James Harris...
You could be writing middle-grade children's fiction, or YA or adult fiction... you could be writing drama, sci-fi, horror, literary fiction... any genre - we want to hear from you!
(We cannot accept picture books or chapter books, and no non-fiction will be considered.)
We are looking for FOURTEEN writers to take part in a year-long programme consisting of workshops, one-to-one mentoring and advice from industry professionals.
FOUR of those places are reserved for writers that identify as working class.
The process will include two online Meet the Agent events at which you will meet at least three agents from prominent literary agencies who will offer guidance and advice on your stories.
Successful applicants will attend seven day-long development workshops, and access up to 14 hours of 1-1 mentoring from WBNE.
Senior agents Judith Murray (Greene and Heaton Literary Agency) and Stan (The North Agency) will also visit Middlesbrough to meet the programme participants and learn more about their ideas.
We have also lined up masterclasses with published authors from our region and beyond.
How does that sound?
FREE TASTER SESSIONS
In addition to a FREE online taster session, we will also be running FREE taster sessions around the region in March and April. Places are limited, so to book your place on one of these workshops please email us at wbne2020@gmail.com
Saturday 9th March
Hartlepool Library
10am - 12pm
Saturday 16th March
Middlesbrough Town Hall
10am - 12pm
Saturday 16th March
Billingham Library
1pm - 3pm
Thursday 21st March
Online (email for link)
7.15pm - 9.15pm
Saturday 23rd March
Redcar Library
10am - 12pm
Saturday 23rd March
Darlington Hippodrome
1.30pm - 3.30pm
Saturday 6th April
Drake Bookshop, Stockton
3pm - 5pm
This fantastic opportunity is supported using public funding from Arts Council England.
WHO CAN APPLY?
If you are over 18 and are able to attend regular workshops and mentoring sessions in Middlesbrough then you can apply.
NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NECESSARY - maybe you've been writing for ages, maybe this is your first go. Either way, all you need for our programme is a great idea and the determination to see it through.
Note: we are looking for fiction. We cannot accept applications to develop memoirs, factual books or biographies.
No short stories or poetry either. Sorry.
WORKING CLASS WRITERS
As part of our mission to find more diverse voices we are reserving four places on our 2024-25 programme for working class writers. (We hope, of course, that we can put more than four through the programme!)
If you identify as working class, simply check the appropriate box on the application form.
We are looking for new and aspiring writers from working class and lower income backgrounds to take part in Writers’ Block 2024-5. We especially welcome submissions from people facing intersecting challenges including but not limited to Black, Asian and minority ethnic, disabled and /or any other historically marginalised backgrounds.
WHAT WILL IT COST?
It will cost you NOTHING, thanks to our funding from the Arts Council and various publishers and literary agencies.
HOW DO I APPLY?
We need a two-page synopsis of the story you would like to develop, together with a writing sample of up to seven pages of continuous prose, which can be an excerpt from a novel (not necessarily the one you want to develop with us) or one complete short story.
NOTE: The sample and the synopsis do not have to be from the same story.
(For advice on how to put together a killer synopsis click here)
To download an example synopsis/sample document, click here
The sample and the synopsis should be sent as a single document attached to the email. The whole document should be in 12pt font, and double spaced.
PLEASE DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ANYWHERE ON THE SAMPLE OR SYNOPSIS DOCUMENTS.
Sorry if that seems confusing! We have to anonymise entries.
Then CLICK HERE to apply.
WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?
The deadline for applications is 11.59pm on Thursday April 11th 2024.
No applications submitted after this time will be considered.
A panel of WB associates and industry professionals will make the final selection.
All applicants will be informed of our decision by 5pm on Friday 19th April 2024
We regret that we are unable to give feedback on unsuccessful submissions. The judges’ decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. But you knew that already :)
CLICK HERE to apply.
SCHEDULE
Or "what exactly did I sign up for here?"
DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Note: all events and workshops will take place at mima art gallery in Middlesbrough unless otherwise stated.
SATURDAY 25th May 2024
First Story Development Day
10am - 4pm
SATURDAY 22nd June 2024
Second Story Development Day
10am - 4pm
SATURDAY 13th July 2024
Third Story Development Day
10am - 4pm
THURSDAY 25th July 2024
Meet Judith Murray, Greene & Heaton
12pm - 4.30pm
SATURDAY 30th Nov 2025
Fourth Story Development Day
10am - 4pm
ONLINE
THURSDAY 5th December 2024
Meet the Agent 1
12pm - 4.30pm
ONLINE
SATURDAY 18th Jan 2025
Fifth Story Development Day
10am - 4pm
SATURDAY 8th March 2025
Sixth Story Development Day
10am - 4pm
THURSDAY 10th April 2025
Meet the Agent 2
12pm - 4.30pm
ONLINE
SATURDAY 10th May 2025
Seventh Story Development Day
10am - 4pm