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.
Peninsula Producers and New Writers Network 2026
Screen Cornwall and Exeter Phoenix are collaborating again with BFI NETWORK South West to develop emerging producers and writers in Devon and Cornwall. Selected participants will receive support and guidance, through a series of events held online and in person, to develop their short form projects in scripted and immersive.
Overview
Peninsula Producers Network (PPN) and New Writers Network (NWN) offer a unique opportunity to enhance your skills, expand your industry knowledge and make regional connections. Previous participants have found they develop valuable peer networks, with some creative collaborations going on to receive funding from the BFI and beyond.
Sessions will range from development, through to packaging and raising finance, production and post-production and festivals and distribution. Writers will be invited to the first and last sessions, and in between have a 1-2-1 with an experienced script editor.
Dates of the sessions
Session 1 for writers & producers: week commencing 1st December 2025, Redruth or Truro
Session 2 for producers only: week commencing 12th January 2026, online
Session 2 for writers: 121 with script editor, January 2026 date TBC, online
Session 3 for producers only: week commencing 2nd February 2026, online
Session 4 for writers & producers: 5th March 2026, day & evening at Two Short Nights Festival, Exeter
The time commitment for all the sessions will be approx 10 hours excluding travel. To get full value from the programme participants are strongly encouraged to attend all sessions.
Eligibility and how to apply
Emerging producers and writers of scripted and immersive work must be over 18 and not in full-time education, and must be resident in either Devon, Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly. Please note that you cannot apply to both programmes but must pick one. You may not apply if you have participated in PPN or NWN before.
We recognise our regional voice will be stronger with greater diversity and welcome applications from people with lived experience of backgrounds that are underrepresented in the screen industries. We also understand that participation may come with costs including travel and childcare and can offer bursaries for expenses to those who need them.
Campfire – Exeter’s Quarterly Literary Salon
Location: The Refugee, below The Mermaid, Gandy Street, Exeter
When: Wednesday 12th November, 7pm - 10pm
Exeter’s newest quarterly literary salon, a welcoming space for writers and storytellers of all backgrounds and styles. Set in the intimate surroundings of The Refuge, located beneath The Mermaid cocktail bar on Gandy Street, Campfire offers a cozy environment where creativity can flourish and stories can come to life.
Each edition of Campfire centers around a prompt phrase, inspiring submissions of fiction, non-fiction, prose, poetry, or plays. The prompt can be taken literally or more of a jumping off point, it's all up to you. Writers are encouraged to submit works that can be read aloud within 10 minutes, allowing for a dynamic evening of storytelling and shared ideas.
At Campfire, we gather to listen, reflect, and engage in the timeless tradition of storytelling, celebrating the power of words to connect us all. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or someone finding your creative voice, this is your chance to contribute and be heard.
Submission Guidelines: Work must be inspired by the quarterly prompt phrase, with fiction, non-fiction, prose, poetry, or plays up to 10 minutes long when read aloud. Please email campfireexeter@gmail.com in advance if you are planning to come along and read so we can gauge the timings.
November Prompt Phrase - “1 plus 1 does not equal 2”
Come share your story at Campfire—where the flicker of words and ideas will light up the room. For submissions or more information, contact us at campfireexeter@gmail.com or follow us on Instagram @campfireexeter
Step into the circle, share your voice, and let your words kindle the conversation.
Jerwood Arvon Writer Residencies 2026 - 2027
Funded by the Jerwood Foundation, Arvon is pleased to announce the Jerwood Arvon Writer Residencies, a new talent development programme for emerging writers. The residencies will support 12 writers working in fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry and playwriting, giving them the opportunity to bring a project to completion over the course of the self-guided 18-month programme.
Writers must be aged 18+ and based in the UK. If you could not attend an Arvon course without some financial help, or are from a background underrepresented in mainstream publishing, then we especially encourage you to apply.
To be eligible for the Jerwood Arvon Writer Residencies you must be an emerging writer, by which we mean you can be unpublished, or have published one full–length work of fiction or non-fiction, collection of poetry, or have had one full-length work professionally produced for film, TV or the stage. Writers who have published more than one full–length work are not eligible to apply.
Residencies will run from February 2026 to July 2027, culminating in an online showcase event to which literary agents, publishers and other industry professionals will be invited.
Each Jerwood Arvon Writer Residency is fully funded and consists of:
Two Residential Writing Courses chosen from Arvon’s public programme, including a contribution to travel costs to and from our writing houses
One Online Writing Week or one Online Writing Month chosen from Arvon’s public programme
Ten online Masterclasses chosen from the public programme
Six 1-to-1 tutorials with a writing mentor in your chosen discipline
Free access to Arvon’s extensive online resource of over 400 writing tips and exercises from tutors
Opportunities to meet with and learn from leading industry professionals
Peer networking both within and across disciplines
Exeter Novel Prize 2025
Word Kitchen are delighted to announce that the Exeter Novel Prize has a new home with Word Kitchen. The competition is open from JULY 1ST ‘25 to January 1st, 2026.
This prestigious prize welcomes entries in English from all over the world, and is open to all authors who are without representation by a literary agent at the closing date, whether or not they have previously been published.
Hellie Ogden, head of the book dept at WME Agency's London office, will choose the short list and winner for the competition.
First prize - £1000
Five finalists receive £100
By submitting the first 10,000 words of your novel, along with a synopsis, you are in with a chance of not only winning a prestigious prize, but also - by daring to put your work out there in the world - getting your name and work noticed.
Read the rules below carefully, then send us is those first ten thousand words, including a brief synopsis, of a novel that has not been accepted for publication by a traditional publishing house.
The fee for entry is £20, and for entry plus an appraisal report it is £150.
2026 Charles Causley Poetry Competitions are now LIVE!
The Charles Causley Trust Poetry Competitions are now open!
Calling all poets and young writers – our 2026 competitions are officially live! Whether you’re an emerging voice or a seasoned poet, there’s a place for you.
The theme this year for both competitions is Family, whatever that may mean to you.
International Poetry Competition
Enter here: International Poetry Competition
Young Person’s Poetry Competition
Enter here: Young Person’s Poetry Competition
Don’t miss your chance to be part of something special! Submit your poem.
