Following the Durham Writes taster sessions, we are pleased to open the applications for the second stage of the Durham Writes programme. 

The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Wednesday 21 May 2025. All submissions must be made through Submittable. 

This application form is for a series of six free workshops that will take place between June and July 2025. There will be six targeted fiction writing masterclasses, one online industry workshop, and one individual mentoring session. Up to eight writers will be accepted onto the programme. 

If you are based in County Durham and are new to, or would like to develop your fiction writing, this programme aims to enhance your creative writing skills, deepen your knowledge of the publishing industry, and help to build a network with fellow writers. You will be supported by the Writer in Residence and the Producer to identify progression routes for your writing while on the course. 

You will also be invited to share your work at a scratch night at Durham Book Festival in October 2025. 

This application form asks for a short sample of your writing up to 1500 words (approx. 4 pages) and an outline for your story or an idea of what you would like to write about. Writers should be unpublished for a full-length work (short stories will be accepted).You will also be asked to give short answers to a few questions. If you need any support with filling in this application form, please contact New Writing North.

The targeted masterclasses will be led by Amy Lord, with mentoring by David Mark, and will take place at Clayport Library in Durham and Spennymoor Library. 

Masterclass dates: 4 June, 18 June, 25 June, 2 July, 9 July, 16 July – all sessions from 5:15 – 6:45pm.