New Writing South

Welcome to
New Writing South

We're here for anyone who loves to write

Creative Writing Programmme

Courses in creative writing, autobiography, dramatic writing and poetry

Join NWS Friends

You’ll become part of our vibrant community of writers and you’ll be supporting us to nurture diverse talent across the region

Join now

New to Writing Fiction?

If you’d like to give fiction a try but don’t know where to start, then this workshop is for you

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Room to Write

Book one or a series of Retreats to beat the plague of procrastination and make some real progress with your writing project.

Celebrating Our Stories

Older LGBTQ people share their stories for festival of verbatim theatre

Whether you’re a published writer or just taking your tentative first steps, New Writing South is here to support you

News & Features

Read about our latest activities and events. Sign up to our monthly newsletter to get our latest news direct to your inbox

The Coast is Queer: Brighton’s new LGBTQ+ Literature Festival, 12 -15 September 2019

New Writing South is excited to announce a brand new festival of literature celebrating LGBTQ+ writers and writing, The Coast Is Queer will take place over a weekend in Brighton, and will include readings, discussions, performance events, workshops, and even a morning walk along the beach. We are delighted to be working in partnership with […]
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New Writing South International Writer in Residence: Izabela Morska

We are delighted to announce Izabela Morska , one of Poland’s leading literary voices, as New Writing South’s first International Writer in Residence, supported by the British Council and in partnership with West Dean College of Arts and Conservation. Izabela is the author of several books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction and has been one of […]
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We’re Recruiting: Digital and Marketing Manager

New Writing South is seeking a dynamic Digital and Marketing Manager to be responsible for developing and implementing New Writing South’s digital and marketing strategies and campaigns across all activities. New Writing South is the literature development agency for the South East. We aim to support a thriving, complex literary landscape across the region where […]
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Creative Writing Programme

We offer some of the best quality training you’ll find to take your writing to the next level. We are the home of the Creative Writing Programme, one of the leading writing courses in southeast England. Enrolment is now open for courses starting in Autumn 2019.

Creative Writing Programme (Year 1)

30 September 2019 - 24 May 2020
Brighton

This is the first year of our flagship two-year course which will give you the tools and the space you need to help you complete your creative writing project
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Creative Writing Programme (Year 2)

30 September 2019 - 24 May 2020
Brighton and Hastings

Evolve as a fiction writer in the second year of this two year course
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Autobiography and Life Writing Programme (Year 1)

1 October 2019 - 22 May 2020
Brighton and Hastings

The first year of a two-year course covering approaches to life writing, memory, imagination, authenticity and structured workshops
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Events

Check out our programme of events at The Writers’ Place in Brighton and around the region. See all events

Celebrating Our Stories

1 October 2018 - 31 October 2020

Celebrating Our Stories is a multi-artform project will gather personal testimonies from LGBTQ+ older people from across southeast England to create a festival of verbatim theatre for 2020.
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Theatre Royal Brighton Young Playwrights

12 January 2019 - 30 April 2019

Theatre Royal Brighton Young Playwrights is an annual course for 16 - 25 year old aspiring playwrights
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New Writing South Best New Play Award

1 April 2019 - 2 June 2019

New Writing South, in partnership with Brighton Fringe, runs the Best New Play Award. This award is presented to a playwright in recognition of an outstanding, original theatre script produced at Brighton Fringe.
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Be part of a community

Writing can be a lonely business. Join our lively community of writers and find the support, guidance and training you need.

Services for Writers

We offer awards and bursaries; a script reading service; coaching and mentoring; meet-ups; and other ways to create the space you need to write.

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TLC Free Reads

Writers on low incomes can get access to a professional critique from the UK’s leading literary agency, The Literary Consultancy – an invaluable opportunity in your creative journey

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Become a NWS Friend

You’ll not only become part of our vibrant community of writers, but you’ll be supporting us to develop writers’ careers and enable fresh, diverse talent to flourish

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Latest opportunities

We regularly post news of awards, competitions, workshops and retreats offered by organisations from around the region. See all opportunities

Opportunity for Local Writers to work with Little Green Pig

Application Deadline:
20 June 2019 4:59 pm

Are you a writer with experience of working with young people, based in or near Eastbourne? Little Green Pig are on the lookout for a freelance workshop leader and volunteer story mentors to be involved in school workshops this July, and an after school club from September!
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The Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize 2019

Application Deadline:
28 June 2019 4:59 pm

The Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize 2019 is now open for submissions in the categories of Fiction, Poetry, and Life Writing. The prize was launched ten years ago to support new writers, with no limits on age, gender, nationality or background. In this birthday year the prize money has been increased from £300 to £1,000. […]
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Green Stories Competition

Application Deadline:
30 June 2019 11:59 pm

University of Southampton is looking for stories touching on ideas around building a sustainable society
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