Writing and Publishing Skills Hub
Training and development opportunities for writers and creatives of all ages
The Skills Hub offers an exciting range of courses, events and development programmes in the North East and online. With the Skills Hub, you can access workshops, training, networking, artistic bursaries and paid work placements. Designed to build skills and strengthen industry pathways, we support writers at all stages of their career, as well as freelancers and small businesses, and young people.
Our rolling programme features new opportunities throughout the year, alongside returning activity.
Courses and workshops
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New Writing North Academy
A range of online courses taught by leading contemporary writers.
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Start Writing in Libraries
Six-week introductory creative writing courses in libraries.
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Keep Writing in Libraries
Four-week intermediate creative writing courses in libraries.
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Newcastle Writing Conference
Newcastle Writing Conference will return in May 2025.
Development Opportunities
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Creative Associates
Six-month residencies for artists to develop new creative work with New Writing North.
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Emerging Creative Associates
A bespoke development programme for talented writers pursuing a freelance career.
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Inkubator
Training for writers who want to develop their skills in facilitation and participatory arts practice.
Networks
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North East Poets
Continuing craft development and support for professional poets in the North East.
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The Writers' Space
An online professional development group for aspiring and emerging writers.
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North East Novelists
North East Novelists offers continuing craft development for professional novelists in the North East. The group of 12 novelists meet monthly in Newcastle for craft sessions, support and networking. The group was started in September 2023 and will run until September 2024.
Screenwriting Skills
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Screenwriting Weekender
Take part in a packed weekend of industry talks, workshops and networking aimed at writers who want to improve their screenwriting skills, get industry know how and make new connections.
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Genre Feature Lab
New Writing North and Film4 have joined forces to find three of the most exciting Northern screenwriters to take part in a unique Genre Feature Lab.
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ADAPT
Developing writers to adapt their own work for the screen.
Work Placements and Volunteering
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First Edition Industry Placements
Paid work placements in publishing and bookselling for 18-25 year olds.
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Shared Reading Volunteers
We are recruiting for volunteers to be trained in shared reading and participate in activity at Newcastle Hospitals.
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Festival and Events Volunteers
In 2023, we trained up our first cohort of Festival and Events volunteers. Our volunteer pool assists with New Writing North’s programme of literature events in Newcastle and with Durham Book Festival. New opportunities for volunteering to come.
