Calling aspiring writers
Applications are now open for the Portico Library’s Rewriting the North mentorship programme. Funded by Arts Council England and supported by Faber Academy, this is a unique opportunity for unpublished writers to receive invaluable guidance and feedback from one of the UK’s leading writing schools.
Two successful candidates will receive:
One-to-one mentorship over 12 weeks from Faber Academy
A masterclass at the Portico Library using it historic collection of books
Six months honorary membership at the Library
A commission to produce a piece of writing for a unique Portico Library publication
To enter, you’ll need to fill in the form below with a short bio about yourself and 500 words of your best writing responding to the question ‘What’s Your North?’ You can write fiction or nonfiction, poetry, prose or graphic novels – the only rule is that your piece must feature the North of England. Rewriting the North is all about representing the North as the varied, complex, and wonderful region that it is, and amplifying the different voices found across it.
If you need any inspiration, check out our Portico Prize page, where you can read about the best Northern writing and listen to our Rewriting the North podcast.
To be eligible for the scheme you must not already be represented by a literary agent or have published a book-length work with a professional publishing house.
The Portico Library is committed to removing the barriers that prevent many people from working in the literary industries. As such, we strongly encourage applications from people from Black, Asian, minority ethnic, and working-class backgrounds, LGBTQ+, disabled, and low-income individuals, and anyone else historically underrepresented in the industry.
To apply, please send a completed application form and a photograph suitable for press usage to events@theportico.org.uk by 5pm on Friday 20th May.
We look forward to reading your work.
