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WRITERS' BLOCK 2024-25
SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

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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

10am - 5pm

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

10am - 5pm

ONLINE

SATURDAY 10th May 2025

Seventh Story Development Day

10am - 4pm 

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