NAWG blog

OPEN COMPETITION 2026

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:35:37 GMT

The NAWG Open Writing Competition - OPEN TO ALL!

The popular Open Writing Competition is here again! The two categories are:

Short Story and Poetry. There are superb prizes for each category:

FIRST £200, SECOND £100, and THIRD £50

Short Story is Judged by Steve Bowkett

Poetry is Judged by Chris Huck and Catherine Fitzsimons

Entry fee: only £5 per entry (for the Poetry category only: 3 poems for £10)

Closing Date: August 31st 2026 (11.59 BST)

Entry by online form HERE

Royal Mint Museum Short Story Competition

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 18:07:13 GMT

A golden opportunity for young writers!

Short Story Competition

We are asking 7-11-year-olds to write a story about GOLD using no more than 500-words.

The winner will receive a gold coin, £5,000 for their school or local library, and their story illustrated by an artist.

Stories can be submitted between 16 February - 17 April 2026.

www.royalmintmuseum.org.uk/learning/short-story-competition

storycompetition@royalmintmuseum.org.uk

There's also a podcast available, called The Secret Life of Coins .

Valentine's Day Competition Results

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 11:35:05 GMT

Results of the flash fiction competition with love as the theme.

Here are the results of the Valentine's Day flash fiction competition.

Meet Me Under the Clock by Amelia Alice.
Untitled by Margaret McKay.

Judged by Jude Davison

judedavison.co.uk

Jude is a composer, author, musician and recording artist. He has written and produced 21 albums of varied musical styles and genres with songs that include Americana, rock, pop, country, soul, gospel, blues, mariachi, Dixieland, and even a trilogy of spoken word/music albums. His songs have been licensed to numerous TV shows – Baywatch , Cold Squad and feature films – Return to Turtle Island ,

The Raffle (with the soundtrack album featuring Elton John and Dan Hill), and his first single, Lifeline , reached no. 25 in the USA adult contemporary charts. In 2015 Jude turned his attention toward writing prose. He has now published six books – three novels ( Cybersoul , The Underwater Birds , A Writer's Prerogative ), two collections of short stories ( Cripples and Creeps , Small Cruelties ) and a musical memoir ( Uncertain Heaven ).

"So the winning entry is Meet me under the clock. It had an interesting use of setting – what was imagined (film version) and then what was real. Also the idea of love, while not being 'picture' perfect but enough, was good.

Perhaps I would place Helen's oldest friend... as runner up. Again, the theme of love being something more ordinary and not so 'picture perfect' as we like to imagine it, was good".

First Prize

This winning entry will also be published in our 2025 anthology and, at the discretion of our editor, in Link magazine .

Meet Me Under the Clock by Amelia Alice

Standing under the 'Lovers' Clock' at Waterloo Station holding a bunch of long-stemmed red roses to ask Shona to marry him had always been in Barry's mind since he saw the 1945 classic film Brief Encounter, last Christmas at his Nan's house.

Today, Barry held the wrapped roses, as if he were swaddling a baby. His heartbeat rushed, keeping time with the outgoing 10:02 to Chester. Looking around him, the platform was vacant apart from a few pigeons pecking randomly at the asphalt. He looked at his watch. There was no clock here. This was Crewe. Had he made a mistake? He noted the peeling paint on the Victorian iron rafters, showing coloured layers of times gone by. Smoggy debris, cluttered with leaves, clogs the corners of the ornate glass panels above the tracks. He sighed. It didn't match his vision of the perfect romantic meeting place. Too late. The approaching Pendolino 390 from Manchester Piccadilly slowed to a stop. His eyes scanned the seats as they passed.

He couldn't see her. Then.

'Hi Barry,' she said with a smile. Her pale porcelain skin was so perfect in the diffused light.

'For you,' he held the roses forward with pride. 'Sorry, it's not like the film,' he nodded towards the station.

'Which film?' Her eyes scrunched as her head tilted to one side.

'It doesn't matter,' he laughed, 'Who needs a clock? You look beautiful.'

Reaching for Shona's hand, he breathed out slowly, knowing everything was going to be okay.

Runner Up

Untitled by Margaret McKay

Helen's oldest friend had talked of the elation of falling in love when she had met her second husband. She had felt smug that her own marriage had lasted for so long, but this chance remark had preyed on her mind, today more than ever. Today, she had met a man who had made her heart leap, her legs turn to jelly. She had enjoyed the sensation.

After fifty years she couldn't remember having that feeling, ever. In 1976, marriage was the next step after dating for a year or two. This word 'love' was showered over you both with the confetti on your wedding day. The reality was sex whenever it suited, in honesty often the sweeter in previous stolen moments.

The thought of her children and grandchildren made her heart swell, but George was only in the background of her mind. He'd always provided for the family, been a good father, never forgotten her birthday. Should that be enough? When had they last watched television together? Gone out for a meal? Had a fight or even an argument? Could she face the next, possibly twenty years lived in this equilibrium?

Today the fascinating man who had shared her table in the café had set her thoughts into chaos. When they'd exchanged phone numbers, she'd felt the forgotten thrill of something illicit.

Looking at the family photos around her home, she pressed 'delete' and smiled fondly at the kind face always in the background, providing quiet, perfect equilibrium.

Wentworth Writing Weekend 2026

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:39:01 GMT

15th to 17th May 2026 - book now!

Wentworth Castle is a palladian stately home built in the 1720s for Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford. It is out in the country about 4 miles from Barnsley and around 10 miles from Sheffield.

The building, now home to Northern College, has 60 acres of National Trust gardens covering a hillside with a folly castle at the top. Please have a look at their website. At the rear of the house is the Home Farm which is now a conference centre with en-suite rooms clustered around The Arched Barn conference room. It's here that we will be holding the NAWG Writers Retreat, as we usually do, this being our 15th year.

There will be around 15 delegates, and I can guarantee that they will be friendly and interesting company as many have been to a number of these events in the past.

We arrive after 2pm on Friday 15th of May and gather at The Arched Barn, where there is coffee and tea always available. In the evening we go for a pleasant meal to a Toby Carvery a couple miles away. On Saturday morning there is an optional writing workshop with our tutor, Leonora Rustamova, who is an author, publisher's editor and creative writing teacher at a Leeds college. After lunch we can walk in the gardens, write and converse with other writers from different parts of the country, or do just what we like. Dinner is in the dining room with the exotic painted ceiling, after which we gather at the Arched Barn where delegates can give talks (we've had a variety of talks:- on The National Space Centre, Dragonflies, Bees, Trilobites, 'My ranch near Santiago de Chile', the origins of money, Robin Hood who actually lived not far away etc.), there will be a literary quiz, and we enjoy a pleasant party atmosphere.

The cost for the weekend is £255. This includes 2 nights B&B in single or double en-suite accommodation, Saturday dinner and the tutored workshop. You will find full details and a booking form on the NAWG website HERE and you can contact me for any for further information:-

Chris Huck Tel. 07968 095164. Old Vicarage, Scammonden, Huddersfield. HD3 3FT.

Gallery of Nawg Members' Books

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 17:02:53 GMT

Cover images of some books by our Members - is yours there yet?

See the Gallery page on the website with cover images of some of our Members' books HERE . If you're a member, contact NAWG and get your book image (with clickable link to the vendor's site) published on the Gallery.

New Monthly Meeting for Individual Members

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 15:45:45 GMT

Special new Monthly Zoom meeting

The first monthly online meeting for our Individual Writer Members will take place on Monday 26th on Zoom 6.30-8.30 pm then the last Monday of each month. If you can't make this month, the next meeting will be February 23rd.

Writing is by its nature a solitary endeavour but meeting other writers can make it less lonely and more fun. At the meetings you can share writing,feedback, news, competitions, writing tips, events and to simply get to know each other.

All individual members should have received an email invitation including zoom link and shared folder.

If you haven't received an email or would like further information please email Vanessa at individualwriters@nawg.co.uk

The Write Path 2025 Anthology - now available!

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 15:15:08 GMT

in paperback from Amazon, and ebook format from many digital book platforms

The Write Path 2025 anthology is now available in paperback from Amazon, and ebook format from many digital book platforms (including Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Everand, Thalia, Smashwords, and many more!).
It comprises the winning entries and judges’ reports from our members’-only competitions, along with the first, second, and third place winners of our open poetry and short story competitions, and the winners of our 250-word Spooky flash fiction competition.
The ebook version (ISBN: 978-1-7384361-8-7) is priced £2.99, and the paperback version (ISBN: 978-1-7384361-7-0) is £7.99. For more information, click the Books2Read link and then select your preferred retailer: https://books2read.com/twp2025
And if you missed any of the previous anthologies, check out the links below:
2024: https://books2read.com/twp2024
2023: https://books2read.com/twp2023
2022: https://books2read.com/twp2022
2021: https://books2read.com/twp2021
2020: https://books2read.com/twp2020
2019: https://books2read.com/twp2019
My thanks go to everyone on the committee and the judges for their help with gathering everything together to enable me to produce the anthology, and to Liz for her proofreading assistance!
Simon Whaley

Valentine's Day Competition

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 18:04:08 GMT

New 250-word flash fiction competition theme of LOVE -
Now CLOSED and judging taking place

Opened on 14th January 2026 and closed 10th February 2026. The web page HERE will soon show the winning entry - there's a prize of £25 for the winner and publication on the website and in our Anthology (with author's permission) .

Members' Competitions 2026

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 12:16:44 GMT

The Competitions are now CLOSED and judging is taking place.

Judging for 2026 is now underway - Good Luck!

Competition Categories:

Open poetry - any form or style.
Formal poem - a sonnet.
Short story with included object - a rusty chisel.
Historical fiction - entry should be based on actual historic events or set in a particular historical era.
Ghost / horror story .
Science fiction / fantasy .
Romantic fiction .
Comedy writing .
Science & nature article - any subject suitable for a general readership.
A "how to" guide - may be serious (how to write a blockbuster novel), satirical (how to trash the economy in one mini budget) or comic (how to murder your husband).
Crime fiction .
Memoir - an actual happening.
Ten minute play or monologue - one page equals one minute of a play.
Short story or poem by sponsored child .
Group anthology .

Meet the Committee

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 13:03:35 GMT

Regular Zoom Sessions for NAWG Members

7 pm on the first Tuesday of every month.

We have a regular monthly Zoom session, where you can come along and meet the committee and other NAWG staff members. We talk about anything and everything writing related.

Open to all NAWG members.

Details of the Zoom meetings can be found in the members-only area , for which you will need to enter the password.

Open Competitions 2025 Results

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:19:02 GMT

Results of the 2025 OPEN competitions - Short Story & Poetry

The NAWG OPEN competitions have now been judged . CASH PRIZES for 1st 2nd and 3rd in each category are being awarded. HERE ARE THE RESULTS:

Short Story
1st Simon Rees-Jones - ‘Shot at Dawn’
2nd Charles Kitching - ‘Never Mock the Clown’
3rd Jan Keegan - ‘Life Imitating Art’
Poetry
1st Simon Rees-Jones - ‘The Camera Clicked’
2nd Elin Lewington - ‘A Wild Green Thing’
3rd Gwyneth Box - ‘I Dream of My Mother’

Thank you to all those who entered. The winning entries will be published in our anthology, The Write Path 2025 .

Autumn 2025 - 250 competition

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 10:08:14 GMT

RESULT - WINNING ENTRY : Spooky Autumn flash fiction competition

Here is the winner of our spooky ghost / horror story NAWG 2025 Autumn 250-word Flash Fiction competition . It ran from Friday 3rd to Friday 31st October, First, second, and third place entries will also be published in Link magazine. See the website HERE

The prize of £25 for the winning entry goes to SUSAN KING for her story:

RUSSIAN ROULETTE.

I dread this day. Pumpkins with grinning faces and kids running about dressed
as ghosts. Ghosts don’t wear costumes, they’d know that if they’d seen one. I
can cope with all that – it’s the knocking on doors blackmailing adults into
giving them treats that frightens me. Don’t they know how dangerous this is?
Agnes has a bucket of Cadbury Heroes by the door. Her children have
grown up and left home which is a relief to me, I can tell you I want to yell at the
little ones who stand with expectant faces when she opens the door. Bugger off,
I want to shout. But of course, I can’t.
You can’t imagine the horror of watching her fill her syringe and pierce
the wrapper of a chocolate bar, plunging the needle into the gooey inside and
withdrawing it empty. You don’t know what it’s like to watch helpless as she
smiles and hands out the sweets.
She’s not daft enough to poison each one. For her it’s a game of Russian
roulette. She waits for the post on the village Facebook page. She reads the
hundreds of messages of sympathy with glee, scrolls slowly through emojis of
crying faces, pink hearts and praying hands. She notes the date of the funeral
and gets out her dark clothes.
It’s the same black dress and coat she wore my cremation. A human black
widow spider, she dispensed with me after our children were born.
It’s just other people’s children she dislikes.

Dame Jilly Cooper

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 18:07:04 GMT

We're sad to hear that one of our patrons dies, aged 88

(Photo copyright Penguin.co.uk)

Novelist and NAWG Patron Dame Jilly Cooper, known for her best-selling romps including Rivals and Riders, has died at the age of 88.

Dame Jilly's most successful works were The Rutshire Chronicles, beginning with Riders in 1985, which portrayed the scandals, sex lives and social circles of the wealthy horse-loving country set.

Follow-up Rivals was published in 1988 and reached a new generation of fans last year when it was turned into a hit Disney+ TV series. She sold more than 11 million books in total in the UK alone.

Queen Camilla led the tributes, describing Dame Jilly as a legend and a "wonderfully witty and compassionate friend", adding: "May her hereafter be filled with impossibly handsome men and devoted dogs."

(Courtesy of BBC News)

Long Link Specials

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 15:35:56 GMT

Longer Stories that you can read or download

Members can go to the Members Only page (you'll need the password) and read stories that were a little too long to fit in the normal Link magazine - see the section marked 'Fiction Special' --> HERE

Members' Competitions Results 2025

Sat, 06 Sep 2025 14:58:21 GMT

Here are the results of the members' competitions 2025

AGM and Competitions Awards Ceremony

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 14:21:33 GMT

The 30th AGM is on Saturday 6th September at 2:00 pm.

All NAWG members are welcome to join us at the 2025 Annual General Meeting on Saturday 6 ^th September at 2:00 pm.

This will be followed by the awards ceremony for the members' writing competitions.

The event will be online via Zoom – details are on the members' page . You'll need to enter the password to gain access.

Approximate timetable given below.

Membership Subscriptions

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 15:09:25 GMT

The deadline date for paying 2025-26 subscriptions to NAWG is 31st August 2025. Any groups or individuals who have not paid by this date will be removed from the active database and will not be sent publications in future, able to vote in the AGM, allowed to enter the 2026 members' competitions, or be listed on the website. The groups and individual members who have not yet paid are being advised of the deadline. Groups and Individuals who fail to pay up may of course re-join.

New groups and individuals joining the association will pay the full subscription (group £50, individual £25, student £15) and with their joining pack will be sent access to all the Link magazines published since 1st July 2025. They will be encouraged to enter the Members' competitions 2026 (closing date 31st March 2026.)

After 31st March, new joiners subscriptions will cover them until 30th June 2027 i.e. they get their first period of up to three months free.

Writers' Meet - Poetry Special

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 10:58:14 GMT

NAWG in association with Runaway Writers

Here are the basic details of a meet-up, which will be in Lichfield on 18 ^th October 2025 . It is limited to 16 people due to size and layout of rooms in the Guildhall; the cost is £35 per person for NAWG members/ concessions, £40 for non-members. The Guildhall, while an historic building, has been modernised with a lift which runs close to the room we will inhabit for most of the day. The building has been home to Lichfield Fire service, the prison (cells are open to more fleeting visits from tourists now), and Lichfield council (not often, as far as we know, in the cells).

The price will include some poetry “taskmaster” challenges, a workshop from Leicester poet Roy Marshall and a tour of the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, plus some free time for writing, completing your challenge, or paying a visit to other city centre tourist destinations. Lichfield is a small city and most of the centre is within less than 10 minutes’ walk of the Guildhall.

Lunch and accommodation are not included . As we are right in the city centre there are plenty of places to eat or to buy food to bring into the meeting room, which we feel is a more flexible and cost-effective solution than a one-snack-fits-all approach. Similarly if you require accommodation there are several hotels very close to the venue, such as a Premier Inn about 3 minutes’ walk down the road. The bus station is under five minutes’ walk from our venue, the station a further few minutes. We are in the process of creating a pack for delegates, with some aid from Lichfield council, which will have maps and other useful information.

Contact info@nawg.co.uk for more details and to book your place.

The Write Path 2024

Sat, 05 Apr 2025 13:56:05 GMT

Now available to buy!

The Write Path 2024 anthology is now available in paperback from Amazon, and eBook format from many digital book platforms (including Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Everand, Thalia, Smashwords, and many more!).

It comprises the winning entries and judges’ reports from our members’-only competitions, along with the first, second, and third place winners of our open poetry and short story competitions, and the winners of our festival flash prose competition. The eBook version is priced £2.99, and the paperback version is £6.99. For more information, click the Books2Read link and then select your preferred retailer: https://books2read.com/twp2024/

And if you missed any of the previous anthologies, check out the links below:

2023: https://books2read.com/twp2023

2022: https://books2read.com/twp2022

2021: https://books2read.com/twp2021

2020: https://books2read.com/twp2020

2019: https://books2read.com/twp2019

My thanks go to all the committee for their help with gathering everything together to enable me to produce the anthology, and to Liz for her proofreading assistance!

Wentworth Writing Weekend 2025

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 17:54:26 GMT

16th to 18th May

Wentworth Writing Weekend was on 16-18 May

You missed a great weekend! Look out for future events - HERE .

For info contact Chris Huck, Old Vicarage, Scammonden, Huddersfield HD3 3FT, HERE , or Tel, 07968 095164.

250-word Flash Competition

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 10:54:00 GMT

SPRING 2025 Short Story competition winner

NAWG Spring 250 - (Closed on 28th February)

Flash Fiction (Short Story)

The £25 WINNERS' PRIZE was awarded to Penny Ellis

2 ^nd Julian Cadman: 'Bottling Up Memories'

3 ^rd Lindsey Nicholls: 'Freedom Songs'

Here's the winning Entry 'Cupboard Love'

I love my cupboard; a vast dark cavern, in the corner of my bedroom, full of magic and excitement.

It was filled with my toys and games. I wrote letters to Father Christmas. He gave me everything I asked for. Later, Ma and Pa kept my cupboard filled with all I wanted. They thought I would love them more. My love doesn’t work like that.

In my teens I painted the cupboard black. It was where I stored all my IT equipment and explored worlds with my virtual reality kit. Ma and Pa learned not to disturb me.

They aren’t here now. I have the whole house but I only use my bedroom and my cupboard.

I show friends my cupboard and new toys. We play. When I get bored, I put them away.

Alex was like me. We met online. We shared stuff. I invited Alex over.

It wasn’t unusual having someone else in my bedroom, but Alex reacted differently. Alex wanted to look in my cupboard. I liked to show off my treasures. I put out the light and opened the cupboard doors.

Alex dived inside and grabbed some of my toys. I was surprised. The others hadn’t behaved like that. Usually there was screaming, until I finished playing.

Alex had me trussed up quickly, an unusual feeling, but I thought it might be interesting for a change. But Alex didn’t want to play anymore.

I was locked in the dark cupboard. I like the dark .

To see the Judge's feedback see the next issue of Link.

Your Website services

183:747727483 (Henry Curry) — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 16:16:49 GMT

Advertising and Critiques available

See our web pages for information on Advertising in e-news and in Link magazine. Pricing on request - some facilities are available free for members. Members can also post ads on this website ( this service is only for Members) - more info here . And we are also offering a Critiquing service - details here .

Prof. David Lodge

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 14:09:03 GMT

We're sad to announce the death of one of our patrons

BBC NEWS 3rd January reported:

Author and critic David Lodge, best known for his Booker Prize-nominated comic campus novels Small World and Nice Work, has died at the age of 89. In the books, the former literature professor satirised academic life, and both went on to be adapted for television. His other celebrated works included Changing Places and The British Museum is Falling Down, about a poor student who is distracted while attempting to write a thesis. His publisher Liz Foley said: "His contribution to literary culture was immense, both in his criticism and through his masterful and iconic novels which have already become classics."

More here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2nzgp5yp0o.amp

Becoming a Professional Writer

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 14:46:56 GMT

Doing what's best for your book - and you!

To most of us, the phrase ‘professional writer’ means someone who earns their income through writing, perhaps even all of their income. Research from the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre tells us that’s increasingly rare: declining from 40% in 2006 to 19% in 2022. But being, or becoming, professional is not just about how much you make – it’s about your approach to writing. And while this is true of any writing, it’s particularly important when it comes to writing for publication. Which is why I recommend to my clients the following steps:

Write, rewrite and polish your work: make sure your words are examined, pared down and represent what you mean, in the best, most succinct, way
Edit your work – some of us love editing, others don’t, but a book may need several edits – I edited my third novel three times
Have it professionally edited and proofread. Why you might ask? Because with time, you’ll get too close to your words and might not even notice if you’ve missed out a word or two out. An objective eye can also see the bigger picture with regard to the plot – is there sufficient tension and pace, and does the story progress naturally? An editor will also be able to tell you if your characters are rounded and appealing, even if they’re not meant to be great people. Proofreading gives a book its final polish – checking for consistency in style, grammar and spelling, and ensuring your book looks professional
And speaking of looks – remember to get a great cover – one that would draw your eye in a shop. Apart from the content, your cover is your book’s greatest advertisement, yet it’s sometimes what people neglect. The cover should also fit with the genre. Do your research by visiting your local Waterstones, WH Smith or indie bookstore
So what now? Assuming you’re going to publish your work, your book needs to be formatted for e-book and print, then published, and there are options here – Amazon is one of them, but it’s not the only one. And different platforms have different requirements. As you’re writing your book, think about who it’s for, how you want it to look and where you’d like to make it available. Then, armed with awareness, you can find out what you need to know, and you’ve got a plan

That’s what being professional means – doing what’s best for your book – and you. And while none of this is necessarily easy, at the end you’ll be proud of what you’ve achieved.

Ellie Stevenson, Book Coach, Motivation to Publication (and beyond)
Website www.motivationtopublication.com

Email stevensonauthorcoach@gmail.com

For further help with the above, check out the Alliance of Independent Authors Self-Publishing Services Directory: https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/services-directory/

Bexhill Writers Group

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 15:12:31 GMT

Pebbles on the Beach - Poems and Short Stories

The Bexhill Writers Group is pleased to announce the publication of a collection of poems and short stories, Pebbles on the Beach (available from Amazon). Started over forty years ago, the group meets on the last Friday afternoon of each month. Beginners – or those just wanting to ‘have a go’ at writing – are very welcome.

For further information, please contact Vicky Armstrong – 01424 845251.

Change of subscription date

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 12:33:34 GMT

Important Announcement from the Treasurer

The NAWG committee has decided to change the date group and individual members pay their subscriptions. From now on all subscriptions will be due on the same date, 1st July, starting this year. This date has been chosen as it is the start of the association’s financial year. The reason for the change is to make it easier to send out reminders and individuals and groups will always know when the sub is due. Obviously in making the change some adjustment is necessary as this year subscriptions have been paid at various times.

If you have already paid a subscription since July 2023, the subscription due is shown in the table below. If you subscription is due between April and June 30th this year then please do not pay anything until 1st July when you should pay the sum listed below.

I hope this is clear. If you have any queries please contact me at treasurer@nawg.co.uk

Penny Ellis

Link Magazine

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 10:35:52 GMT

Download earlier copies of NAWG magazine

Don't forget, if you missed an edition of our popular two-monthly Link magazine you can download back-numbers here on our Publications page.

Tea-Time Tales

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 21:09:08 GMT

June Linscott publishes her second book

NAWG Member June Linscott says "I am so pleased to have published my second book. My first was for children and this one is for adults. I have been writing for some years and decided to publish whilst I still had enough brain cells to understand how to do it. I belong to 2 creative writing groups both of which have been very helpful."

Price £6.95 Available directly from June. Please ring 07399733482. I can post anywhere in the UK (£8 inc. P & P) or on Amazon Kindle price £3.95.

Poetry Anthology

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 11:19:55 GMT

Village Voices – celebrating art and poetry

Village Voices – A celebration of poetry and art from the South Pennines . A brand-new anthology celebrating art and poetry from the diverse and inclusive communities of Kirklees and the South Pennines. Created by the newly formed Marsden Community Poetry group and published by the award-winning Marsden based publisher, Maytree Press, this new anthology promises to be a ground-breaking collection full of startling poetry and original artwork.
Edited by a panel of acclaimed authors and poets, you are now invited to submit poetry for consideration.
This will be an "art meets poetry" project that will look good on any coffee table.

Full details and submission guidelines HERE . Deadline: Marsden Community Poetry are looking forward to receiving your work. Submissions will not be considered after midnight Sunday 22 January 2023.

Submit: Send your work to marsdencommunitypoetry@gmail.com

AGM Minutes and Papers

183:747727483 (Henry Curry) — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 19:43:58 GMT

Members can now download the 2022 minutes and accounts

As part of NAWGfest 2022 at Yarnfield Conference Centre in September, we held our 27th Annual General Meeting.

Members of NAWG can now go to the 'Members Page' her e and download the minutes and accounts.

(Don't forget, you'll need your password. If you have not got this or have forgotten it please contact us by clicking here and e-mailing your name, group if applicable, and date you joined NAWG.)

NAWGfest 2022 in photos

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 20:05:27 GMT

Our gallery shows some photos of another successful writing festival

You can see just some of the photos from the Gala Dinner, Awards Ceremony, Open Mic that are now on the Gallery

See them HERE

NAWGfest 2022 is over!

183:747727483 (Henry Curry) — Mon, 05 Sep 2022 16:57:11 GMT

Another superb NAWG Festival of Writing was had by all attendees

Our Gala Dinner Speaker at NAWGfest 2022 was ALICE CASTLE.

Before turning to crime, Alice Castle was a UK newspaper journalist for The Daily Express, The Times and The Daily Telegraph. Alice’s favourite stories are cozy crimes with a strong sense of place. When she couldn’t find a series about her beloved south London, she decided to write her own – and single mum amateur sleuth Beth Haldane was born. The eighth book in the series is being published in November 2022, while the other seven books are being reissued by Bookouture on 22nd August 2022. This will be the largest number of books by one author this publisher has ever released on a single day.

To find out about all the tutors & workshops you may have missed, see the webpage HERE

Members Competitions: Winners

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 14:25:18 GMT

You can see full details of the 2022 winners & runners-up

Click on the link to download a PDF with full details of the winning entrants HERE

Photos of NAWGfest 2022 can be seen in the Gallery HERE

Photos from NAWGfest 2021

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 19:36:33 GMT

We've posted photos in the 'Gallery' of our recent festival of writing

Well, our festival of writing, NAWFest 2021 is over for another year. Here you can see our after-dinner speaker and Tutor Della Galton handing out a certificate at the Gala Dinner Awards ceremony. (And the list of Members Competition Winners is available: to download it click HERE )

To see many more photos, look at the Gallery page here

Spring Flash Fiction Winner!

Sun, 09 May 2021 19:01:03 GMT

NAWG Spring 100 x 100 micro-fiction winner is announced

We have a winner in the Spring 100 x 100 Flash Fiction competition - Lottie Hazell, with her story Breadcrumbs , wins the £100 prize. Our warmest congratulations to her. Her story is below:

================================================================================================

Breadcrumbs

He found me eating cheese on toast in the bath. He didn't say anything.

I heard him search for his own supper. The crackle of a pasta packet. I imagined the kitchen counter: butter, cheddar, bread. I had left him a note in case there had been a delay on the train line, a signal failure, a death.

I submerged my body into the water and the crumbs that had landed on my chest floated like snowflakes.

If I held myself here long enough, he might come back. Pull me out of the water, brush my hair, feed me fusilli.

================================================================================================

For your chance to win £100 look for our next Flash Fiction competition here.

The Defiant Spark

183:747727483 (Henry Curry) — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 16:08:43 GMT

A first novel by Annie Percik

Annie Percik's debut novel, The Defiant Spark , has been published. It’s a fantasy novel, set in a world without electricity, where artisans control access to the mana that powers everything. The protagonist, Abelard, provides magical artefact support until an accident gives him artisan powers. When he discovers a centuries-old secret at the heart of artisan society, Abelard has to choose between the life he has always wanted and giving up everything to bring the artisans down.

You can order a copy of the book at http://getbook.at/DefiantSpark and find out more about Annie’s writing at www.alobear.co.uk

100 x 100 Competition - the Winner!

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 21:27:39 GMT

Winning Flash has been chosen by our judge, Emma Finlayson-Palmer

Congratulations and £100 prize have gone to our Winter 100 x 100 competition prizewinner, Laura Tapper , for her winning entry Take a Breath:

They say the pain is worth it, to feel the euphoria afterwards. For me it’s the goose-bumped anticipation of the moment before, standing by the silent water, with snow coated branches stretching their frozen fingers over my bobble-hatted head. I blow out a slow cloud and watch it drift away in the morning light. My finger runs around the right leg of my costume, a habit from my ten metre doggy paddle days at the local lido. Suddenly, I’m swimming and the cold that steals my breath still almost stops my heart. The difference is, this time nobody pushed me.

See the February issue of Link for the judge's comments.

The Write Path 2020

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 13:42:42 GMT

Now Available!

The Write Path 2020 - our 2020 anthology of award-winning writing - is now available in print and ebook format.

You can buy the print version direct from Amazon, priced £6.99 using this link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=191613208 1 , where you can also purchase the Kindle version for £2.99.

For other digital versions of the publication (Apple, Kobo, Nook, etc), also priced at £2.99, click this link: https://books2read.com/u/4XLQo 6 and then select the appropriate retailer link.

The Write Path 2020 contains all the winning entries from the 2020 members’ competitions, the festival flash fiction and poetry winners and runners up and the open short story and poetry competition.

Mary De Morgan: a writer, just like us

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 18:13:18 GMT

She was misunderstood, underpaid and overshadowed.

When I was researching Victorian fairy-tale writers for my PhD I “discovered” Mary De Morgan. Just like many of us in NAWG, she was misunderstood, underpaid and overshadowed.
Mary was the youngest of seven children, born in 1850 into a family of intellectuals and non-conformists. She moved in William Morris’s artistic and political circle. Mary is best known today as a writer of fairy-tales but she also wrote short stories, some of which were published, others are gathering dust in Senate House Library. Mary also tried her hand at a two-volume novel called A Choice of Chance but the disappointment of poor reviews caused her to abandon attempting another. She also edited her mother’s reminiscences, Threescore Years and Ten: Reminiscences of the Late Sophia Elizabeth De Morgan” and wrote serious articles on such diverse subjects as “Co-operation in England in 1889,” “The New Trades-Unionism and Socialism in England,” “The Jewish Immigrant in East London,” and “The Education of Englishmen.”
It does not seem likely that Mary made sufficient money from her writing alone. In 1876 she received £14 18s 6d, being a third of the year’s profit from the sale of her first volume of fairy tales, On a Pincushion – another third going to the illustrator and the other third to the publishers.
Mary was a member of the Women’s Franchise League and she signed the Declaration in Favour of Women’s Suffrage. She was an independent woman who had very strong views on the society in which she lived and the place of the woman within it. She could have written political articles, spoken at rallies and waved flags, but she chose instead to make her voice heard and her opinions known through her writing.

At the beginning of the new century she went to live in Egypt where she became a directress of a girls’ reformatory. She died of tuberculosis at the age of 57 and is buried in Cairo. There is no photograph of Mary that can be 100% authenticated, so all we have are her words to know her by.

I have written her biography: Out of the Shadows: The Life and Works of Mary De Morgan, which can be purchased at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Out-Shadows-Life-Works-Morgan/dp/1443841951
I have also written a novel based on her life and filled in the gaps of my knowledge with my imagination: The Jewel Garden can be purchased at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jewel-Garden-Marilyn-Pemberton-ebook/dp/B079ZY877T

e-mail: marilyn.pemberton@yahoo.co.uk
Website: https://marilynpemberton.wixsite.com/author
Blog - writingtokeepsane.wordpress.com

Online NAWG festival - your feedback

183:747727483 (Henry Curry) — Sat, 26 Sep 2020 14:17:03 GMT

A big Thank You !

Thank you to everyone who took the time to give us feedback after this year’s virtual NAWGFest event. How much feedback did you give us? Over 4,000 words!

You told us that you enjoyed meeting up with old friends and seeing new faces. NAWG’s friendly atmosphere was still in abundance, as was the inspiration and knowledge you’ve come to expect from NAWG workshops and talks. Even though it was digital, the online festival helped you feel part of the organisation again.

Yes, there were teething problems and things we could have done better. Some had technical issues. Others wanted to hear some of the winning entries at the awards ceremony. And those of you who attended several events across the weekend felt all Zoomed out afterwards! (As did most of the committee!) And many commented that they simply wanted time to chat and catch up with friends not seen for a year. All of this, and more, will be considered for any future events.

Where your feedback has been most helpful, is giving us ideas about how best we can use digital online events like this in the future. There’s clearly a demand for a wider programme of events throughout the year, in addition to (not instead of) the annual September festival. Some of you commented that you’re unable to attend the festival due to family or carer commitments, or because of the distance and cost, and so this year’s digital festival gave you access to something you wouldn’t normally have had.

Many of you said you’d like to see more workshops and talks, on a variety of genres and topics, with published authors, agents and publishers. There was also a call for some more light-hearted events, such as the open mic, and the quiz. There were even ideas about NAWG facilitating link-ups between other groups, and offering training sessions to group leaders giving tips and ideas for group meetings.

We shall certainly consider all of these. It would be brilliant if we could create a programme of events across the year — some for free, some for a small charge (there are costs for NAWG’s use of Zoom, as well as any fees for workshop facilitators).

Again, thank you all for the time and effort you put in to giving us this feedback. Thank you for your kind words to the committee, expressing your gratitude for what we (somehow!) achieved over that weekend. And thank you for all of your ideas. You’ve given us plenty to think about for the future.

Simon Whaley
NAWG Committee

100 x 100 Competition Winner !

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 19:58:34 GMT

Summer competition - winner announced

NAWG's second 100x100 competition : We'd like to thank all those who took part in our Summer 100x100 competition which closed on 15th September, 2020. Judging has now taken place and the £100 prizewinner is

Karen Vallerius . Congratulations! Here is her winning entry :-

Miracle Moi
My pupil oscillates like the pigmented splotch on a chameleon’s back. Reflected light ricochets through the cornea onto the retina, zapping my brain. An indiscernible optical science lab whirrs as I check the calories on the cereal packet.
A gazillion more incredible experiments process as I prepare, smell and taste my breakfast. I gulp bitter coffee, caffeine jolting cells into life like Frankenstein’s spark.
Frowning, I scroll through my unphotogenic social feed. A flock of crows’ feet, hippo jowls, thighs that could win the Grand National.
Whoa. Pushing ego aside, I marvel at the countless little miracles of being alive.

Online 2020 NAWGfest is over

183:747727483 (Henry Curry) — Sun, 06 Sep 2020 17:48:22 GMT

Now we're planning future events...

The NAWG team were delighted that more than 60 people registered for activities over the weekend of 4th to 6th September. There were superb workshops & talks, some of which were over-subscribed, and great fun was had. Friends met up virtually, and I am sure we all learned a lot - especially about video conferencing! A huge thanks to all those that took part (and the organisers) and there will be more news and pictures of prize-winners soon.

Thank you to all those who provided feedback !

NAWGfest 2020 ONLINE!

Sat, 01 Aug 2020 20:24:21 GMT

Register now for our weekend of activities

Hello Everyone,

I'm really pleased to tell you that we have put together a programme of online events as a substitute for what would have been the 2020 NAWGfest weekend. Over the period from Friday 4th to Sunday 6th September all our members are cordially invited to take part in a number of activities, and I hope you find them both stimulating and enjoyable. If you look at the timetable being sent in the e-newsletter you'll see there are three workshops, an open mic session, two '24-hour flash' competitions in poetry and fiction, a quiz and more. We haven't forgotten the presentation of the awards, so there'll be an online ceremony too. I do hope you can join us - I look forward to 'seeing' you there ! The timetable is on the NAWGfest 2020 online page of the website.

(Please remember you must register first by sending an email here - some activities have limited places! )

Best Wishes & hope you can join us !
Chris Huck, Chairman

NAWG festival news

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 08:56:49 GMT

STOP PRESS ! 2020 NAWGfest is postponed

After much deliberation, the Committee has decided to postpone our planned 2020 NAWGFest to next year (3rd to 5th September 2021). As mentioned in the June extra newsletter, it’s been a difficult time for us as we plotted the best course of action. Had we cancelled the event we could have been subject to cancellation fees that would have wiped out our reserves. Had we gone ahead, there was a risk of a greatly reduced attendance as members continued (quite understandably) to shield themselves from large gatherings.

However, following negotiations with our conference facilities provider at Yarnfield, we’ve been able to postpone our event to September 2021, with no financial penalty. This seems the most sensible and prudent way forward for NAWG and its members during these unprecedented times.

Full details click here

100 x 100 Competition Winner

Sun, 14 Jun 2020 11:41:41 GMT

Winning Entry in our first 100 x 100 Flash Fiction Competition !

I'd like to thank all the entrants in our 100 x 100 competition (and Simon Whaley too for doing the judging!)

Congratulations and the prize of £100 goes to Natasha Derczynski. Keep a look out for the new 100 x 100 competition starting in July. Here is the winning entry:

Our Cycle

First pee of the day, a hot ten second stream. Dizzying fear then a five-minute countdown.

Minute one. Three years before. The diagnosis. Burying myself in him, grieving for hope, then reviving.

Minute two. Swollen with eggs. A needle. My wall, pierced. Pieces of us incubate together.

Three. It hasn’t worked. Loss, all over again. Another cycle, another failure. Grief onto grief. We are young but dark circles form.

Four. One year to recover, return to one another. Then return to the waiting room, resigned, determined, tired but ready.

Five. Hold up the stick. It’s positive.

Oh God.

How sublime.

The Big Switch

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 20:19:42 GMT

Short Stories in Large Print

LARGE PRINT PUBLICATION Swinton based creative writing group SWit’CH has published a collection of short stories in large print format for readers with a visual impairment like Macular Degeneration or Glaucoma. ‘ The Big Switch’ is a compilation of extracts from some of the group’s previously published works. It is designed for easy reading with a font design developed by RNIB. Eye-strain can become uncomfortable with extended periods of reading long works like novels so the stories selected are short. Although the text is large, the book is normal size so it’s easy to handle. Big letters on clear white pages means it’s a ‘page turner’ in the literal sense. This initiative is supported by Salford CVS and NHS Salford CCG and the Third Sector Fund Grant. Visually impaired readers in Salford should ask for copies of the book by contacting SWit’CH by e-mail at switchswinton@gmail.com

Bill Cameron

The Write Path 2019

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 17:12:06 GMT

We’re delighted to announce that The Write Path 2019 has been published!

You can buy the paperback edition, and there’s a digital ebook version too. Inside The Write Path 2019 are the winning entries and judges’ reports of the 2019 members-only competitions, the 2019 Pam’s People competition, the 2019 Festival Mini-Tale, along with first, second and third place winners in the 2018 Open Short Story and Open Poetry competitions. The paperback costs £6.99 and the eBook edition is priced at £2.99. Paperback copies can be bought direct from Amazon, while eBook editions are available from Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Tolino and Vivlio. This also means that our anthology is available via those markets right across the world.
To buy your copy, click on one of these links:
Paperback: £6.99 Amazon: paperback here
eBook £2.99 Amazon Kindle: ebook here
Other eBook Distributors (Apple, Kobo, Barnes & Noble etc): others here

Release the Raven

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 16:29:03 GMT

Continuing the story from 'After the Flood'

‘Release the Raven’, continues the story of Theresa and the significant relationships she makes that were begun in ‘ After the Flood ’ (Mirador, 2017). The past is inextricably woven into the present: in the prequel, it is the discovery of a historic crime, the violent death of a young woman and her child during the English Civil War, that is transformative. ‘Release the Raven’ further develops our relationship with the past and explores the life of the young man she met in the concluding chapter of the prequel. Reflecting, through the characters, on fanaticism and violence, forgiveness, healing and hope, the novel asks whether there can possibly be a road of reparation and restoration following acts of terror and destruction. Published by canndu on Amazon, kindle/pb, from 8th June 2020

For NAWG advertising see this page

New 'Writers in Touch' ideas

183:747727483 (Henry Curry) — Mon, 25 May 2020 16:51:59 GMT

Two more ideas for you to have a go at !

There are two more new ideas for you to try your hand at - why not visit the Members page here .

You'll also find other items just for our NAWG Members.

Writers in Touch week 6

Tue, 05 May 2020 12:07:26 GMT

This week's challenges for 'locked-down' NAWG writers

It's the sixth week of our 'Writers in Touch' challenges - why not turn your hand to one of these ? Some will be put here, others may be published in Link magazine. The new opportunities are on the Members page here . (You'll need the members password.) Have fun !

Writers in Touch Week 5

183:747727483 (Henry Curry) — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 11:40:29 GMT

Two new challenges for NAWG members

To keep your creativity in full flow, why not try another one or both of our new Writers in Touch challenges?

Look on the Members Page here for the next two challenges ! (You'll need to log in with the Members password.)

Writers in Touch - Week 4

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 11:52:50 GMT

New challenges & a response to an earlier one

Members can find our week 4 WiT challenges on the 'Members' page of the website here (you'll need the password issued in the March enews).

Two Gentlemen of Corona by Nicholas Mackey

There were two gentlemen of Corona
Who decided to steer clear of Verona
Their mantra, the washing of hands
Was to be obeyed in all the lands
Pandemic beaten, then off to Barcelona

Lively Challenge - WiT

183:747727483 (Henry Curry) — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 19:18:40 GMT

Lively Challenge (poem without an 'O', by Carol Hurley)

Here's a lively challenge
With a different slant.
Pen a verse but never
Let it be a rant.
Twenty six great letters
In the alphabet are there.
Twenty five are plenty
Just use them with great care.
The missing letter's vital;
It's there, let us recall,
In frequent regularity,
Helps keep us in its thrall.
My brain is really struggling,
Might end up in free fall.
Admire this perfect letter,
It's there at every turn.
I'm really up against it,
My mind is all a churn.
I'll check what I have written
I'll check it with great care.
I think I have succeeded,
It really isn't there.
Hurray

I have an Egg !

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 11:34:23 GMT

WiT week 1 (poem with no letter 'O')

I have an egg
an Easter Egg!
I want it eaten
it’s irresistible,
impressive, purple wrapped.
Tempting me with its curves,
feasting my eyes, I’m mesmerised.
It sits glittering, teasing me.

in the spring light.

I had an egg
an Easter Egg!
It’s disappeared, cheated me
A melted runny mess!
My eyes grew bigger,
My figure stayed slimmer,
I’m frustrated, unimpressed.
A purple wrapper
is all that’s left!

Yvonne Cleminson

Spring

183:747727483 (Henry Curry) — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 11:20:47 GMT

WiT week one - a poem with no letter 'O'

Spring: the trees dress
in their newest, freshest, green,
this tear’s latest style.
The hues fresh,
they dance in the wind,
twirling their arms
and bending with the breeze.
Underneath them
bulbs pierce the dull earth
with their green shafts.
Their heads – white, blue
and several sunshine shades –
reflect the sky, the sun…
and the dreams, wishes and prayers
we all clutch: after winter, spring;
after spring, summer.

Life renewed.

Elizabeth Horrocks

Indignant Shakespearean Actor !

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 11:14:34 GMT

Another WiT week 1 entry ( man & skeleton )

Look, we must've met before! Well, perhaps I've changed a little – but I can't imagine why you're looking as if you've never, ever seen me. As soon as that darn' camera clicked, there you were, grinning manically in the opposite direction. Playing to the gallery, as ever! After all, I'm the bloke you're supposed to have shared a pivotal scene with, aren't I? Surely they taught you manners along with some stagecraft at that drama school you went to? Sometimes, I despair.

What's that you're saying?

“He's not real, of course. Just a plastic replica. I mean, if this was a real bony hand, I wouldn't be....”

You wouldn't be doing what? Look me plumb in the eye-socket and say that again! Now, allow me to put you straight.

We are the same, you and I, except you haven't yet reached my level of polish and refinement. True, I'm held together by... well, maybe by the odd twist of wire. But I'm bone, I tell you. Bone! The same as you. Remember that when you squeeze those delicate digits. And don't you ever quote 'Alas, poor Yorick' to me again!

Penny Alexander

WiT Week 2

183:747727483 (Henry Curry) — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 09:22:04 GMT

Two more writing challenges for our members

It's week 2 and already we've had great responses to Writers in Touch. This week's tasks are now available on the new 'Members' page here – to gain access you'll need to enter the members-only password sent out with the e-news.

Good luck & have fun !
Steve Bowkett

Writers in Touch

183:747727483 (Henry Curry) — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 11:57:47 GMT

A poem without letter 'O' ...

a pandemic verse
(written late at night by the River Thames)

a river
hesitant
in the dark
stabbed with light
plays with my mind

crescent sleekwhite
suspended
in aerial pitchblackness
giving false security
as we are dispatched

internet deathline
relentless
in the ether
delivers heaped anxiety
shrinking earthly future dreams

grim tide
merciless
as we fight
a killer virus
while devising planetary unity.

By Nicholas Mackey

Writers in Touch

183:747727483 (Henry Curry) — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 11:56:24 GMT

A story in second person...

Eternal Love or Something

It’s just typical of you, this. You never noticed anything, did you? I could have stood on me head, naked, in a bucket of blancmange and you’d have just said ‘Pass the remote, love.’ Remember that time when you got left to take the kids to your Auntie Seraphina’s wedding because of me haemorrhoids and our Hayley had her skirt in her knickers in all the photos. Typical of you that. And of your family an’ all. Not one person thought to put her straight. You never used to notice when I’d got a new hairdo, or any time I’d got a fancy frock on. Never notice it was time to paint the fence or pump up me tyres on me bike. And what about that time when the back bumper of the caravan caught on that old boy’s mobility scooter? Twenty seven miles the poor old sod was strapped to us. On his way to the corner shop, he was, and ended up in ruddy Skegness. How could you not have noticed him? And now this. Did you not wonder why I’d stopped cooking your dinners and darning your socks? Or why I’d stopped arguing about wanting to watch Downton Abbey instead of the ruddy motor-racing? Had you not noticed that you’ve had to actually go into the shops yourself recently, instead of sitting in the car listening to the rugby? Why do you think you’ve had to iron your own shirts and remember to put the bin out on a Monday? And if you think I’m dancing with you at the Lindy Hop, you’ve got another think coming. I’ve kicked the bucket, you daft bugger. Not that you’d notice, eh?

Fiona Dudley

WiT - an early response

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 21:19:30 GMT

Here was the first poem in answer to our 'Writers in Touch' challenges!
(more to come)...

Time

Nebular spirit
with steel hands
unseen time
that crawls daily
with light feet
and radiant presence
spreading dark and
light and dark and light
incessantly in a
scattering of days
caught like mist
in the sun’s hair.

by Henry Gibson

100 Competition - the Winners !

Sat, 04 Jan 2020 18:21:40 GMT

Round 8 prize winner is PJ Stephenson for ' After the Beep '

After the Beep

It will take three rings before the answer machine kicks in.
          “Hello, this is Jim. I can’t come to the phone right now. Please leave a message after the beep and I’ll get back to you.”
           You’ll pause, half inclined to speak, before swiping the red button on your smartphone.
           You’ll call again in half an hour.
           And again tomorrow.
           Maybe, one day, you will leave a message after the beep.

But you did all your talking at the hospital, when he could no longer speak.

For now it’s enough just to hear his voice.

Before they erase it forever.

====================================================================================

Congratulations to PJ Stephenson, who has won the £75 first prize and to Robert Shepherd who has won £25 as runner-up. See here for the new competition starting soon...

# We'll publish this story, the Judge's comments and the runner-up story in the next newsletter .

Words in Edgeways group poetry !

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 12:54:41 GMT

Manchester City of Trees Project

Congratulations to our writers’ group Words in Edgeways for their wonderful poetry and their involvement in the Manchester City of Trees Project. Find more here :-
https://www.cityoftrees.org.uk/…/celebration-trees-through-…

Directory is now 'Our Groups'

Thu, 04 Jul 2019 18:02:56 GMT

We've completely updated the list of Writing Groups

Our Directory of Writing Groups has been completely revisedf and is now under the 'Our Groups' heading. Each area has a downloadable PDF or you can download the whole list if you wish. See https://www.nawg.co.uk/directory

NAWG weekend Poetry Course 14th - 16th June

Mon, 27 May 2019 10:23:21 GMT

Leeds poet James Nash at the beautiful Wentworth Castle

James says ' I’m a writer, poet and teacher based in Leeds. I write poetry mostly, though I’ve had stories, memoirs and, as a journalist, many articles published in newspapers and magazines. I have a huge amount of expertise in running writing workshops. This is solidly supported by my original training as a teacher and subsequently working in inner-city high schools for many years. I’m a literary host working at many festivals across the country, getting the best out of writers whom I interview at events. I have also edited many collections of young people’s writing as well as adult work with my most recent being ‘Fourteen Festive Sonnets’ for the excellent Candlestick Press.'

James is also a performer of his own work and others and teaches spoken word performance skills.

The cost for this course is £205, which covers Friday and Saturday B&B in single ensuite accommodation, all tuition, Saturday and Sunday lunch, Saturday dinner, tea, coffee and biscuits. We meet in the Arched Barn Conference room next to the residences.
The cost for a non-residential Day Delegate is £105, which covers all tuition, Saturday and Sunday lunch, Saturday dinner, tea, coffee, biscuits.

Details and how to book are here https://www.nawg.co.uk/events

Gala Dinner speakers

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 13:14:02 GMT

Sean French and Nicci Gerrard

Our Gala Dinner at NAWGfest - the National Association of Writers' Groups annual festival of writing - this year has two after-dinner speakers.

Nicci French is the pseudonym of English husband-and-wife team Nicci Gerrard and Sean French, who write psychological thrillers together. Last year their 22nd novel, Day of the Dead , was published, which was the last in their eight-book series featuring protagonist Freda Klein. Readers called it “ The perfect ending to the perfect series. ”

In addition to co-writing as Nicci French, both Nicci and Sean write novels and non-fiction under their own names. This year sees the publication of Nicci Gerard’s What Dementia Teaches Us About Love , an exploration of what it is to be oneself, and what it is to lose oneself.

Nicci and Sean live in Suffolk.

Write Path 2018

183:747727483 (Henry Curry) — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 20:03:13 GMT

The Anthology is now available !

Our latest Anthology , The Write Path 2018 , is now available from the NAWG Shop

Go to the Shop here

Open Competition Winners 2018

Mon, 17 Dec 2018 19:38:33 GMT

Winners of the 2018 Open Competition are announced

----oooo0000 SHORT STORY 0000oooo----

WINNER : All the Things We Cannot Say by Sarah Edghill

SECOND : The Tunnel by Alex Morrison

THIRD : The Pony Club by Jupiter Jones

----oooo0000 POETRY 0000oooo----

WINNER : Night Sky by Victoria Lindsay

SECOND : Where and When She Sleeps by Christopher M James

THIRD : Timal by Belinda Johnston

----oooo0000 NOVELLA 0000oooo----

WINNER: Working to Rule by Bud Craig

SECOND: The Witches of Richmond by Sarah Tucker

THIRD: Unforgiven by Shelagh Wain

Congratulations to all the Winners, and many thanks to all those who entered.

NAWG blog

OPEN COMPETITION 2026

The NAWG Open Writing Competition - OPEN TO ALL!

The popular Open Writing Competition is here again! The two categories are:

Short Story and Poetry. There are superb prizes for each category:

FIRST £200, SECOND £100, and THIRD £50

Short Story is Judged by Steve Bowkett

Poetry is Judged by Chris Huck and Catherine Fitzsimons

Entry fee: only £5 per entry (for the Poetry category only: 3 poems for £10)

Closing Date: August 31st 2026 (11.59 BST)

Entry by online form HERE

Royal Mint Museum Short Story Competition

A golden opportunity for young writers!

A golden opportunity for young writers!

Short Story Competition

Valentine's Day Competition Results

Results of the flash fiction competition with love as the theme.

Judged by Jude Davison

First Prize

Meet Me Under the Clock by Amelia Alice

Runner Up

Untitled by Margaret McKay

Wentworth Writing Weekend 2026

15th to 17th May 2026 - book now!

Gallery of Nawg Members' Books

Cover images of some books by our Members - is yours there yet?

New Monthly Meeting for Individual Members

Special new Monthly Zoom meeting

The Write Path 2025 Anthology - now available!

in paperback from Amazon, and ebook format from many digital book platforms

Valentine's Day Competition

New 250-word flash fiction competition theme of LOVE - Now CLOSED and judging taking place

Members' Competitions 2026

The Competitions are now CLOSED and judging is taking place.

Meet the Committee

Regular Zoom Sessions for NAWG Members

7 pm on the first Tuesday of every month.

Open Competitions 2025 Results

Results of the 2025 OPEN competitions - Short Story & Poetry

Autumn 2025 - 250 competition

RESULT - WINNING ENTRY : Spooky Autumn flash fiction competition

Dame Jilly Cooper

We're sad to hear that one of our patrons dies, aged 88

Long Link Specials

Longer Stories that you can read or download

Members' Competitions Results 2025

Here are the results of the members' competitions 2025

AGM and Competitions Awards Ceremony

The 30th AGM is on Saturday 6th September at 2:00 pm.

Membership Subscriptions

Writers' Meet - Poetry Special

NAWG in association with Runaway Writers

The Write Path 2024

Now available to buy!

Wentworth Writing Weekend 2025

16th to 18th May

250-word Flash Competition

SPRING 2025 Short Story competition winner

Flash Fiction (Short Story)

The £25 WINNERS' PRIZE was awarded to Penny Ellis

2 nd Julian Cadman: 'Bottling Up Memories'

3 rd Lindsey Nicholls: 'Freedom Songs'

Here's the winning Entry 'Cupboard Love'

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Prof. David Lodge

We're sad to announce the death of one of our patrons

Becoming a Professional Writer

Doing what's best for your book - and you!

Bexhill Writers Group

Pebbles on the Beach - Poems and Short Stories

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Tea-Time Tales

June Linscott publishes her second book

Poetry Anthology

Village Voices – celebrating art and poetry

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New 250-word flash fiction competition theme of LOVE -
Now CLOSED and judging taking place

2 ^nd Julian Cadman: 'Bottling Up Memories'

3 ^rd Lindsey Nicholls: 'Freedom Songs'

Here was the first poem in answer to our 'Writers in Touch' challenges!
(more to come)...