Creative Opportunities
Through our UNESCO Cities of Literature Network, we’re able to offer writers, poets, graphic novelists, authors, & other creatives in Devon meaningful creative opportunities locally, nationally, and internationally.
If you are going to apply for any of these activities, please do contact us first to discuss your application so that we can support you as much as possible!
Writers’ Mailing list
We share these opportunities with our Writer’s Mailing List before they’re published to the website. We’ll also let you know about any other commissions and opportunities that we can’t share here.
Word Space - Literature Works
Literature Works’ annual talent development programme, nurturing and connecting emerging writing talent from around the South West region.
Word Space is delivered online, combining mentoring, workshops, regular sessions with industry professionals and an online space to support each other as a group of writers.
An open submissions process runs throughout the months of December and January and the twelve-month programme begins in April.
Exeter Writers - Short Story Competition 2025
The competition is open to all writers of any ability, published or otherwise, from anywhere in the world. However, members of Exeter Writers may not enter.
We accept stories of any genre (except children's stories).
Maximum word count is 3000. There is no minimum word count.
The full timetable for this year's competition is as follows:
1st December 2024: competition opens
28th February 2025: competition closes
2nd May 2025: longlist is announced
19th May 2025: shortlist is announced
6th June 2025: winners are announced
Songwriting for Carers & the people they support
Documental Theatre and Sing & Sign Jukebox Choir present a FREE 6 week programme this Autumn.
Accessible online and in person. Documental Theatre and Sing & Sign Jukebox Choir are teaming up to offer a free and accessible short songwriting course. It will be a fun and relaxed opportunity to dip your toe into the world of songwriting, connect with other Carers and PWLDs and express yourself creatively. Come to as many sessions as you like - there is no need to be available for all the sessions.
You will be guided through simple steps to create an original song about the person you care for, or inspired by the things you value in your life. The course is also suitable for adults with learning difficulties if you would like to attend with the person you support. The course has evolved out of the activities of Sing & Sign Jukebox Choir - an inclusive singing and Makaton signing choir. Course sessions will be facilitated by Jo Rogers (Choir Leader), Lucinda Bell (Founder of Documental Theatre), and Emma Kenshole (local teacher, additional needs specialist) as well as with talented industry professional guest tutors.
The course will run in-person on a Wednesday afternoons, from 1pm - 2.45pm. Session 1 is at Exeter Community Centre, all other dates will be at the Barnfield Theatre, Exeter:
- 13th, 20th, 27th November
- 4th, 11th December
- A final session in January, date TBC
The course will run online over Zoom on Thursday evenings, from 7.30pm - 8.30pm, on the following dates:
- 14th, 21st, 28th November
- 5th, 12th December
The resulting songs will be performed by musicians at an event at Exeter Barnfield Theatre in 2025, and selected songs will be set to Makaton signs and become part of the set for Sing & Sign Jukebox Choir.
Please get in touch to sign up!
EMAIL: hello@joannerogers.net
CALL or TEXT: 07875024548
The Tom Grass Spirit of Adventure Literary Prize
The Tom Grass Spirit of Adventure Literary Prize is a writing prize dedicated to celebrating the spirit of Tom Grass, a multi-talented writer, avid reader, and fearless traveller.
The prize is for a short piece of stand-alone prose in either Fiction or Non-Fiction (1,500 - 3,000 words). It can be adapted from a longer work but must be satisfying to read by itself. The prize invites writers from all walks of life, whether writing a short story, essay, memoir, piece of reportage, historical investigation, or other hybrid form, as long as the writer reflects the sensibility of the prize. The prize is not aimed at the action-adventure genre nor limited to the idea of physical adventure. We invite writers to grapple with the spirit of adventure in any way they interpret. Pieces will be read and judged on their literary merit and their engagement with the general reader.
Key dates:
• Submissions open: 1st October 2024
• Submissions close: 31st March 2025
• Shortlist announced: 15th May 2025
• Prize giving reception in London: 4th June 2025
The Prize is a not-for-profit foundation, created and run by friends and family of Tom Grass.
Open to emerging writers over the age of 25, the Prize celebrates creative storytelling with a focus on the spirit of adventure. Through readings and an annual award ceremony in London, we will come together to celebrate life’s bold journeys and the stories they inspire.
