Young Writers’ Summer
Ready for a summer bursting with ideas and creative energy? With music, art, poetry and books? Well done, you’ve found Young Writers’ Summer.
Get creative this holiday!
New Writing North’s free summer programmes take place across the North East. They are for young people aged 11-19 to try fun writing projects and meet like-minded people in a relaxed, friendly and inclusive environment. Join us to work with professional writers and artists and other young people to make something new this summer.
Is it for me?
Lots of different people take part in our summer programme. Some of them already attend our weekly Young Writers’ Groups, some attend our Young Writers’ City partner schools, while others are looking for fun new stuff to do during the holidays.
Either way, you’ll meet new people and spend a fun few days being creative and trying out new ideas. Everyone aged 11-19 is welcome and we’re excited for you to join us.
How much does it cost?
We want everyone to be able to access our Young Writers’ programme, including our summer programme and our weekly writing groups, so we fundraise to make the entire programme FREE to take part in. Hooray!
Parents and guardians, if you would like to support us to keep the programme free throughout the year, you can do so by donating when you register for the summer programme of your choice. Alternatively, you can donate via our JustGiving page.
How do I sign up?
Find your perfect summer activities and sign up via the links below. Spaces are limited and usually become fully booked, so register soon if you hope to join us.
Make sure to keep up to date with our Young Writers news by signing up to our newsletter.
What's On:
Poetry Party (Newcastle)
Venue: The Common Room, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Do you love writing haikus? Or do you want to become a master of limericks? Maybe you have a poetic vision in your heart and you’re trying to find the right form. Come and get stuck in to three days full of all things poetry. Working with professional poets, you will get the chance to experiment and play with creative ideas, developing your own poetic style and try new writing techniques.
No previous experience is necessary, just a willingness to give it a go and try something new!
Brand New Worlds (North Shields)
Venue: North Shields Library
If you love alternative realities, come and take part in Brand New Worlds. Over three adventurous days you’ll explore the art of immersive world building in literature and gaming, led by professional writers and artists. Learn how to draw from real-life places and cultures to create strange new fictional environments, create weird and wonderful characters, and devise the laws that govern their worlds.
No previous experience is necessary, just a willingness to work together, try something new, and set your imagination free!
Fantastic Fantasy Novels and How to Write Them (Cramlington)
Venue: Cramlington Library
From Hogwarts to the Hunger Games, the fantasy novel genre has never been more popular. Come and take part in Fantastic Fantasy Novels and How to Write Them, where you’ll work with professional writers from the field to explore the key ingredients of fantasy novel writing. Learn how to create fantastical characters and mythical creatures, build dramatic worlds and magic systems, and structure that all important heroic quest!
No previous experience is necessary, just a willingness to work together, share ideas and try something new!
72 Hour Summer Film Challenge (Gateshead)
Venue: Gateshead Central Library
Are you interested in film making? Come and take part in the the 72 Hour Summer Film Challenge, where you’ll work as a group with professional writers and film makers to create an original short film. Learn how to write for the screen, storyboard, compose shots, operate camera and sound, act and direct – you choose your role! Over three action packed days you’ll learn all the skills used by movie industry professionals to bring their vision to the silver screen… or silver stream!
No previous experience is necessary, just a willingness to work together and try something new!
Sounds of the Summer (South Shields)
Venue: The Word, South Shields
Whatever your taste in music – Swift or Raye, Sheeran or Stormzy – come and take part in Sounds of the Summer. Over three days, you’ll work as a group with professional writers and musicians to explore the art of songwriting. Learn how to write great lyrics, explore song structure and different musical styles, and then write and record your own ballad or banger!
No previous experience or musical skill is required, just a willingness to work together, drop a beat, and try something new!
