New Writing North

Congrats to this year's Booker Prize shortlist!

We will be welcoming the winner to Tyneside on 13 November after the winner has been announced three days earlier. 🙂

Sign up to our newsletter for ticket info confirmsubscription.com/h/j/DCF98EB0...

Mark Gatiss, the boy that Dr Who books made The League of Gentlemen star and creator of Bookish on his work, snobbery in the arts, and advice for working-class writers.

The @thebeelitmag sat down for a chat with him about books, his writing and why he believes working-class talent is being denied a fair chance in the arts.

thebeemagazine.com/mark-gatiss-...

Gatiss is one of our best known writers and grew up in a working-class family in County Durham.

Mark Gatiss as Gabriel Book in Bookish, the new Netflix series about a bookseller-cum-detective set in post-war Britain.

🎉 Celebrate the power of the written word at Durham Book Festival 2025! 📚

From 10-12 October, delve into an autumn weekend jam packed with books, ideas and talent at Gala Durham, Clayport Library, Collected and online.

Find the full programme at DurhamBookFestival.com

Hardback copy of the Mercy Step leaning against a white base with red gladioli and a small candle in an earthenware pot in front

Thank you so much @newwritingnorth.bsky.social for my prize of #TheMercyStep to add to my tall and gloriously teetering #NorthernBookshelf TBR pile. I'm thrilled to win and can't wait to read it! The blurb has me totally hooked already ❤️👍

The season of crunchy leaves and fuzzy scarves – when book lovers rejoice – is on the horizon. We're here to boost your cosiness and creativity this autumn with an exciting slate of opportunities for writers and readers.

How will you get involved?

newwritingnorth.com/autumn-2025/

Hopes Newcastle Centre for Writing will help bridge funding gap Mayor Kim McGuinness says a funding gap exists between the North of England and London.

Centre for Writing will 'support forgotten North'

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

It’s almost time for another year of Durham Book Festival, and to tide you over until the full programme is released in August, we’ve got five events open for booking right now!

All happening at Gala Durham and livestreamed. Find out more and book tickets: newwritingnorth.com/durham-book-...

Situated in the heart of Newcastle, the centre will support writing and reading initiatives in the community as well as professional writers and publishing businesses across the region.

Another huge milestone for the plans for a centre for writing in Newcastle. 🎉

North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, has announced that her cabinet are preparing to agree £2 million in funding towards the new centre for writing!

This was a lot of fun. Thanks to @newwritingnorth.bsky.social, the Tyneside Cinema, an engaged audience, and the inimitable @stuartmaconie.bsky.social for a terrific event on July 15, discussing Stuart’s latest @harpercollins.bsky.social book: With A Little Help From Their Friends.

Don't forget to enter our giveaway for a copy of this stunning novel!

Voice Notes - New Writing North Voice Notes is an international creative writing and sound art project exploring the role of the telephone in experiences of...

Discover new ways to think about displaced voices at Voice Notes – an imaginative sound art presentation showcasing multilingual phone messages from refugees and migrants around the world 📞

John Marley Centre, Newcastle, Mon 14 July. Free tickets at newwritingnorth.com/event/voice-...

Correction to the above – Sairish Hussain will be at Newcastle City Library on 9 August. On 16 July, Len Pennie will join us at Jesmond Library 🙌

We interviewed Marcia to find out more about her experience becoming a full-time writer later in life and the therapeutic power of revisiting her childhood through storytelling. Read the full interview below! newwritingnorth.com/journal/the-...

The Mercy Step is the solo literary debut from former lawyer and politician Marcia Hutchinson. Inspired by Marcia's early childhood in Bradford, it is a sharply-witted and tender portrait of a young girl's refusal to be broken by family, faith and fear.

Win a copy of The Mercy Step by Marcia Hutchinson! To enter our giveaway, leave a comment telling us what you're currently reading, using #NorthernBookshelf and #TheMercyStep. We'll draw winners on Friday 11 July 📚

@mhut25.bsky.social @cassavarepublic.bsky.social

What's on?

3 Jul – Trevor Wood at Newton Aycliffe Library
5 Jul – Eirinie Lapidaki at Consett Library
9 Jul – Eirinie Lapidaki at Jesmond Library
16 Jul – Sairish Hussain at Newcastle City Library

Northern Bookshelf Live - New Writing North A new scheme to connect writers with readers across the North. Watch this space for author events happening in 2025 in libraries near you.

North East readers! Northern Bookshelf Live is taking over Newcastle and County Durham this July, bringing brilliants Northern authors to libraries near you. Come along to discover a new favourite read 📚

newwritingnorth.com/event/northe...

We need your help to continue being that invaluable first step for talented writers from the North. If you can - please join our circle of donors www.newwritingnorth.com/writers-for-writers

Mari received a Northern Writers' Award in 2010; this led to her getting signed by an agent and she has gone on to publish 16 novels.

Mari is also a New Writing North donor. At last night’s Northern Writers’ Awards ceremony, she launched our new #WritersForWriters fundraising campaign.

“New Writing North literally changed my life. They opened doors for me when I was struggling to find an agent and publisher for my debut novel. I wouldn’t be the writer I am today without their help” Mari Hannah

And that rounds out this year's #NorthernWritersAwards! Another huge congratulations to all the winners – you're all brilliant, and we know the future of literature in the North is safe in your hands. It's been a privilege to celebrate you tonight 💫

Princess Arinola Adegbite from Manchester wins the final Northern Debut Award for Poetry!

"I am very grateful and honoured. I wrote many of these poems during an unpredictable time, and this award has reminded me that anyone can make art and beauty out of their life."

The next Northern Debut Award for Poetry goes to South Pennines writer Sammy Weaver.

"It means the world to be given support along the rocky journey of being a writer. This recognition, mentoring and community will be a huge help as I navigate this next step in my career."

Fae Wolfe from Manchester wins a Northern Debut Award for Poetry.

"For this award, I thank my wife for their unwavering encouragement for my writing. And to my late mother, whose stories are entangled within mine, and for her, I write."

And finally, the Northern Debut Awards for Poetry offer £2000, mentoring and developmental support to three poets who have not yet published a full length collection. They were judged by @kathleenjamie.bsky.social and @alycia.bsky.social.

The Northern Writers' Award for Poetry goes to Ian Humphreys from Hebden Bridge!

"I’m so grateful to the judges – both of whom are poets I really admire – for recognising the potential of my work. The award will prove invaluable in giving me the time, space and support I need."

Onto poetry! The flagship Northern Writers' Awards for Poetry support outstanding poets who are developing work towards publication. This year's award offers £5000 to one poet, and was judged by @kathleenjamie.bsky.social and @alycia.bsky.social.