Writing West Midlands is once again teaming up with Birmingham Libraries to recruit the next Young Poet Laureate for 2026-28. Applicants must be over 12 and under 18 on 1 October 2026. The deadline for applications is Friday 31st July 2026 at 11:59pm. Click the Link to apply: buff.ly/agG9pvT

Writing West Midlands is once again teaming up with Birmingham Libraries to recruit the next Poet Laureate for 2026-28: The Birmingham Poet Laureate must be over 18 on 1 October 2026. The deadline for applications is Friday 31st July 2026 at 11:59pm. Apply now: buff.ly/agG9pvT

The sessions will run on Tuesdays from the 8th of September to 6th of October 2026, from 19:00-21:00 BST. This five week course costs £175. Bursaries available. For more more information and to book, please visit buff.ly/KDSEuaf

Writer Wisdom: This month, writer William Gallagher shares some insight from his journey as a writer. William Gallagher has been a visiting author at more than 100 schools, he's produced 450+ YouTube videos for writers, he writes Doctor Who radio dramas and is the author of 19 non-fiction books.

Looking for competitions and prizes to submit to? Here’s our latest round up of writing opportunities! #writers #ukwriters #writingcompetitions #opportunities #writingprizes

Meet our Promotion for Writers panellists: Emily Souders, Campaigns Director, Riot Communications; Lindsey Davis, Writer; Kit de Waal, Writer. The National Writers Conference takes place on Saturday 13th June 2026 at the University of Birmingham, from 10am-4pm.

In this Keynote Address, Casey Bailey considers some of the challenges of continuing to open doors to new types of writing whilst also managing the many other commitments offered by our careers and personal lives. For more info and to book, please visit: buff.ly/dZcCwAs

Meet our Well-Being for Writers panellists: Lou Platt, Artist Well-Being Practitioner; George Bastow, Writer; Romalyn Ante, Writer. The National Writers Conference takes place on 13/06/26 at the University of Birmingham, from 10am-4pm. For more info and to book, please visit buff.ly/oH8LqGa

Join writer Kirstie Millar and Jonathan Davidson, Chief Executive of Writing West Midlands, ONLINE for a conversation about getting published and developing as a creative writer. Book your FREE ticket here: buff.ly/IgvHkAY Date/Time: Saturday 4th July 2026, 11:00 – 12:30 BST

Tickets are selling fast! Here are just some of the exceptional line-up of writers, agents and other industry professionals featuring at this year's National Writers Conference. 📅 Date/Time: 13th June 2026, 10am–4pm 📍 Venue: Bramall Building, University of Birmingham To book: buff.ly/oH8LqGa

Meet our Working With Agents panellists: Amandeep Singh, Graham Maw Christie ; Salma Begum, Greyhound Literary Agency; Joe Sedgewick, Seventh Agency. The National Writers Conference takes place on 13/06/26 at the University of Birmingham. For more info and to book, please visit buff.ly/dZcCwAs

Writer Wisdom: a series of posts spotlighting writers in our community, sharing their insights and the reason they return to the page, even on the hard days. This month, Fran Hill shares what keeps her writing. Her novel ‘Cuckoo in the Nest’ was runner-up for the Paul Torday Memorial Prize.

In this wide-ranging conversation, the novelist, short-story writer and literary activist, Kit de Waal will talk about the work she has found most rewarding. The National Writers Conference takes place on 13th June 2026, from 10am-4pm. For more info and to book, please visit: buff.ly/dZcCwAs

Looking for competitions and prizes to submit to? Here’s our latest round up of writing opportunities! #writers #ukwriters #writingcompetitions #opportunities #writingprizes

Meet our Monetise Your Work panellists: Bradley Taylor, Writer/Performer; Jo Bell, Writer; Ken Preston, Writer. The National Writers Conference takes place on Saturday 13th June 2026 at the University of Birmingham, from 10am-4pm. For more info and to book, please visit buff.ly/XQ23Ekw

The National Writers Conference takes place on Saturday 13th June 2026 at the University of Birmingham, from 10am-4pm. For more info and to book, please visit buff.ly/XQ23Ekw #nationalwritersconference #writersUK #writernetworking

Meet our Editing Your Writing panellists: Serena Arthur, Editor; Dr Winnie M Li, Writer; Jane Commane, Editor. The National Writers Conference takes place on Saturday 13th June 2026 at the University of Birmingham, from 10am-4pm. For more info and to book, please visit buff.ly/XQ23Ekw

Introducing Writer Wisdom - a series of posts spotlighting writers in our community, sharing their insights and the reason they return to the page, even on the hard days. This month, we're spotlighting Casey Bailey. Casey was the Birmingham Poet Laureate 2020-2022.

Here’s our latest round-up of writing opportunities. Share this with your writer friends and community to make the most of it! #writers #ukwriters #writingcompetitions #opportunities #writingprizes

Meet our Keeping Your Writing Going panellists: Charlie Hill, Writer; Malachi McIntosh, Writer; Emma Purshouse, Writer. The National Writers Conference takes place on 13th June 2026 at the University of Birmingham. For more info and to book, please visit buff.ly/hjxFNFp

Join writer Lindsey Davis and Jonathan Davidson, Chief Executive of Writing West Midlands, for a conversation about getting published and developing as a creative writer. Book your FREE ticket here: buff.ly/0lREKHr Venue: Kidderminster Library Date/Time: Saturday 23rd May 2026, 11:00 – 12:30 BST

This course is designed for neurodiverse writers (both diagnosed and undiagnosed) who want to understand their own individual writing process and develop practical strategies for creativity and approaching publication. For more more information and to book, please visit buff.ly/nym29fC

Join a friendly gathering of writers from across the country for a day of industry guidance, author inspiration, and networking. 📅 Date/Time: 13th June 2026, 10am–4pm 📍 Venue: Bramall Building, Edgbaston Campus, University of Birmingham #nationalwritersconference #writersUK #writernetworking

Many writers follow certain rituals to get themselves in the writing zone: listening to music that corresponds with your current project, reading a few pages of your favourite author, cleaning your room, etc. Do you have any writing rituals? Tell us in the comments! #writercommunity #ukwriters

World Book Day is a chance to celebrate reading for pleasure, supporting children's autonomy in book choice, and embedding a habit of reading that brings a wide range of benefits. #readforfun #WBD26 #worldbookday

Introducing Writer Wisdom - a series of posts spotlighting writers in our community, sharing insights and the reason they return to the page, even on the hard days. This month, we're spotlighting Catherine Redford. Her poetry collection, The Way the Water Held Me will be published in March 2026

Here’s our latest round-up of writing opportunities. Share this with your writer friends and community to make the most of it! #writers #ukwriters #writingcompetitions #opportunities #writingprizes

How do you find inspiration for your writing?

Sometimes, writing can be a fine balance act between making the reader work for it and making it easy. When do you think making the readers work for it is justified? Tell us in the comments! #tipsforwriters #writingadvice #writingcommunity #ukwriters #bookerprize

TICKETS NOW ON SALE! After a sell-out event last year, the National Writers Conference is back for 2026! 📅 Date/Time: 13th June 2026, 10am–4pm 📍 Venue: Bramall Building, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston Secure your place: buff.ly/co2Mkxl #nationalwritersconference #writersUK #writernetworking

Join writer Marianne Cronin and Jonathan Davidson, Chief Executive of Writing West Midlands, for a conversation about getting into print and developing as a writer. At Rugby Library and Information Centre, on 21st March 2026. For more info and booking, visit: buff.ly/0vzjQkF

Characters can form the very foundation of your story. What do you think makes a character attractive to the readers?

Here’s our latest round-up of writing opportunities. Share this with your writer friends and community to make the most of it! #writers #ukwriters #writingcompetitions #opportunities #writingprizes

We are so excited to return for our 2026 festival! Jot the dates down in your calendars and help us spread the news. #BLF2026 #literaturefestival #Birminghamevents

As writers, we live multiple lifetimes through our characters. It is magical to see how we transport ourselves into different worlds as we navigate through our own minds. Do you think writing should be restricted to our lived experiences?

Writing is a craft that needs time, dedication, and accountability. Writing consistently is more important than writing perfectly. What do you think- do you agree?

Happy New Year from all of us at Writing West Midlands. Wishing you a very creative 2026, full of inspiration for your writing. #HappyNewYear #Writers #KeepWriting

Last chance to apply for our annual Room 204 Writers Development Programme! Deadline: Wednesday 7th January 2026. This is your chance to access professional mentoring, networking, one-to-ones with Writing West Midlands staff and access to the wider Room 204 network. Apply now: buff.ly/Gpr6cTi

Writing groups and communities not only help writers polish their creative writing skills but also allow them to expand their network and meet with like-minded creative individuals. Comment down the writing groups that you are part of and that you would recommend more writers to join!

Check out this line-up of courses and workshops to start your new year with a creative boost! Visit writingwestmidlands.org or click the link in the bio for more details. Secure your place now!

Almost every writer faces a creative block throughout the different phases of the writing process. Some ways to overcome it can be through reading more, using writing prompts or even join a writing group. How do you get over your writing block? Share with us in the comments.

Take a look at this list of writing competitions and submit your creative work to whichever suits you the best:

Writers! What other way to end a productive year than gifting yourself (or someone you know) a Christmas treat? We've lined-up some excellent online courses and a double workshop to look forward to in the new year. Head to the link in bio and secure your place now #writingworkshop #onlinecourse

Applications for our annual Room 204 Writers Development Programme open today! Every year we select a small number of emerging writers from the West Midlands to work with us on a programme of creative writing career development. Apply now: buff.ly/Gpr6cTi

Jonathan Davidson explains how the Arts Council England's DYCP award gives writers, storytellers and performers the time and funding they need to develop their creativity. Details: Part 1: Wednesday 18th March 2026, 19:00 – 20:30 GMT and Part 2: Wednesday 25th March 2026, 19:00 – 20:30 GMT

Across 5 live and interactive Zoom sessions, award-winning fiction writer Jane Rogers will teach you the craft of short story writing. Monday evenings from the 2nd-30th March 2026 For more more information and to book visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/march-2026...

Applications are open for the third year of the Paul McVeigh Residency! This is an amazing opportunity for fiction and non-fiction writers living in the UK and Ireland. Get more info here: paulmcveighwriter.com/2025/10/17/t... Application deadline: 30th November, 2025

Get your manuscripts assessed for free through the TLC Free Reads Scheme for low income and/or underrepresented writers! The deadline for submissions is Monday, 8th December, 2025, midnight. Head over to the link in bio for more info. #tlcfreereads #schemeforwriters #lowincomewriters

Join prose writer Sally Jenkins and Jonathan Davidson, Chief Executive of Writing West Midlands, for a conversation about getting into print and developing as a writer. Get the chance to ask questions and network with other writers for FREE! Secure your place now- link in bio.

An opportunity has come up to join our small team in Birmingham! Application Deadline: Midnight on Sunday 23rd November 2025. Interview date: Monday 1st December 2025 in Birmingham, in person, daytime. Fore more info and to apply please click here: writingwestmidlands.org/job-programm...