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!
Want to get involved with Exeter City of Literature in your free time? You can join our lovely list of volunteers here >>
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.
Literature Works’ Word Space
Literature Works’ annual talent development programme, nurturing and connecting emerging writing talent from around the South West region
Word Space is for developing practitioners who are serious about their work. Participants are selected through an open process of anonymous submissions. Participants are invited to set their own creative writing goals at the outset, reviewing and refining during the twelve months of the programme, with support from their mentor and an online peer writer group.
Word Space is delivered online as a digital programme which supports new writing, inclusivity and knowledge exchange in innovative ways. Word Space is produced by Literature Works working with partners who share our focus on inclusive, diverse writer development opportunities, reaching out to underrepresented groups and to underserved, rural locations.
The programme provides online spaces for the group to collaborate and feedback, adding to this ongoing one-to-one mentoring and monthly presentations from industry insiders.
An open submissions process runs throughout the months of December and January and the twelve-month programme begins in April 2026.
Call for Videopoetry by the Québec International Poetry Festival
As part of the first edition of the Québec International Poetry Festival (FIP de Québec), which will take place from March 5 to 7, 2026, we invite artists from UNESCO Cities of Literature to submit videopoems. The festival welcomes videopoems that explore the theme of language as a space of poetic resistance. Special attention will be given to works created in minority languages.
Details
Video length: between 7 and 10 minutes
Language: in French or any other language with French subtitles
Year of production: after January 2024
Rights: the artist must hold the rights for the public screening of the video
Submitting a videopoem
The festival will accept videopoems submitted via hyperlink (Vimeo, YouTube, etc.) sent to fipq@spokenwordquebec.ca. Please include the video title, your city, your first name and your last name.
Selection
From the submissions received, six videopoems will be selected by a jury of three cultural professionals. The selected works will be screened exclusively at La Charpente des fauves during the 2026 edition of the FIP de Québec. For any questions, please contact fipq@spokenwordquebec.ca.
Campfire – Exeter’s Quarterly Literary Salon
Location: The Refugee, below The Mermaid, Gandy Street, Exeter
When: Wednesday 18th February | 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.
Next Prompt Phrase - I tried, and tried, and tried, and tried, and tried
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.
Exeter Writers
Short Story Competition 2026
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).
There is no lower age limit for entrants, but this is a competition for adult-level writing and all entries will be judged on this basis.
Stories must have neither been previously published nor won a prize in any other competition.
Entrants with Devon addresses will automatically be entered for the Devon Prize as well as the overall prizes but cannot win both. However, the Devon Prize will only be awarded if the story has been placed on the shortlist.
Maximum word count is 3000.
This competition is run and judged by the members of Exeter Writers. Please note we are unable to provide feedback on stories other than the prize winners.
If you have any questions, please email exeterwriters@gmail.com.
The Power of Place Anthology a creative writing project
The places we live in or visit help to shape us. Would you like to write something about a place that is important to you? Word Kitchen is collecting writing for an anthology called The Power of Place which will celebrate the East Devon landscape and places in it, whether they are rural, urban, or coastal.
It can be somewhere that you have a connection with or a treasured memory from?
A place that has inspired you or been the backdrop to something in your life.
Or maybe you could describe a favourite scene – your garden, a walk by the river, a bench overlooking the sea – or tell the story of a particular moment or encounter in that place.
The writing could be a poem or a description, a memory, or a short story. Most pieces will fit on one page of the book – about 800 words maximum of prose or up to 80 lines of poetry.
If you would like it to be considered for the anthology, please send your writing to wordkitchencomms@gmail.com or go to www.wordkitchen.org.uk for more information.
The deadline to submit a piece of writing is February 28th 2026 by email.
Résidence René Leynaud
For French speaking writers from Exeter and Devon
The Programme
A one-month writing residency to be completed in Vénissieux, located in the metropolitan area of Lyon (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France), in October–November 2026.
The Theme
the residency is aimed at encouraging the emergence of poetry and contemporary writing, promoting the spirit of resistance—understood in all its dimensions and components,
The author's literary and artistic project is the main focus of the René Leynaud residency. Applicants must defend a certain view of the world today, faithful to the spirit of the poet René Leynaud, namely a spirit of resistance—past, present, or future.
What is Offered
An apartment provided by the Municipality and a writing grant of €2.000.
What is Expected
The author will divide their time between creative work (70%) and public meetings. The writer agrees to participate in an evening event or in meetings organised in consultation with the host institution. These events may not exceed 30% of the residency period.
The author is expected to develop French-language poetry projects with a view to publication.
This residency is open to authors who have published between one and three works of contemporary French-language literature in short form (poetry, poetic prose, fragments), at least one of which must have been published in its first edition during the calendar year preceding the application and published by a publisher.
The following are not eligible for participation: self-published works, works published at the author's expense, reissues, anthologies, or collective works.
Documents for application
A statement of intent explaining your creative project in relation to the spirit of the residency
A bio-bibliography
At least one copy of a title published by a publisher during the calendar year preceding the application and reflecting the spirit of René Leynaud (resistance in all its forms).
If possible, a PDF version of the work, which will not be distributed outside the jury.
Residency calendar
January 12, 2026: publication of the call for applications
February 28, 2026: deadline for submitting applications
March–April 2026: review of applications and selection of the candidate
October–November 2026: residency period defined with the selected author.
Contact
If wishes were horses
A new Totnes literary arts journal — If wishes were horses — are looking for creative written responses to the featured artwork that push boundaries, that are experimental in form, that try to speak to something that might be difficult to express.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Creative experimental responses to the featured artwork. This can be poetry, short fiction or non fiction. Word count limit of 4000 words. No reviews please, we are looking for a creative conversation, not a value judgement.
The exhibiting artist will collaborate with the editor to choose their favourite interpretations to join their work in the gallery for each season. IWWH aim to publish in print form annually. We aim to pay all winning contributors that make it into our annual print journal.
IWWH particularly wants to hear from those traditionally underrepresented in the arts. From personal experience we know of some of the barriers holding people back from joining the conversation. We want to help push those barriers aside, so that our dialogue can be as representative and inclusive as possible.
Please do not submit anything written with AI tools. Your submission is easiest to view in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx), and should contain your real name, the title of the story, and your email address in the header, double-spaced, in 12-pt simple font, on A4 or US Letter paper size. Please only attach one story at a time.
PLEASE SEND US YOUR SUBMISSIONS BY THE 1ST OF MARCH 2026 to: ifwisheswerehorsescollective@gmail.com
Neurodivergent Voices
Open Mic
A free, special open mic evening at Exeter Mermaid to celebrate diverse voices, right in the heart of the city.
As part of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, and in collaboration with Exeter University, We Are ND Events will be handing the mic over to the neurodivergent community for an evening of spoken word.
We want to encourage more venues to think about neurodivergent needs and accessibility, and also to support neurodivergent performers by giving them a supportive and considerate environment to be able to perform.
Presented by Emily Way-Evans, Exeter resident, neurodivergent mother, writer and producer of the Festival of Neurodiversity, this will be a safe and supportive space for ND voices to be celebrated.
We will have a collective of neurodivergent Exeter residents and students who have prepared a piece to read, followed by an open mic opportunity for anyone who would like to contribute on the night.
Tickets are free thanks to funding from Exeter University. If you have any specific needs to be able to attend or read your work please contact the organisers (r.griffiths@exeter.ac.uk).
City Slam - Sign up to slam!
Exeter UNESCO City of Literature, Spork! Poetry and Taking the Mic are joining forces once again to present the 4th annual City Slam; an exciting competition to find the best spoken-word artist in Exeter (and across Devon).
12 poets will battle it out across 3 rounds of fierce but friendly competition. With an exciting headliner TBA (watch this space!) and some featured guests as well.
The winner of the City Slam will be entered into Slamovision 2026; an international slam competition featuring poets from UNESCO Cities of Literature all across the world, as well as receiving a cash prize of £150. Runners up will also receive some exciting prizes provided by local businesses in Exeter.
Sign up to Slam!
To enter the slam, you need to register an interest by 5pm, Tue 31 Mar. The 12 Slammers will be chosen at random (if there are an excess of applicants ) and announced by Fri 03 Apr. To register, just send an email to Tim on slam@speakinsong.co.uk with your name, age, and where you’re based. Slammers must be aged 16+ and based in Devon.
The Rules
After registering, you’ll receive a full list of rules. But, in short, all slammers must prepare 3 poems / pieces for the 3 rounds. These pieces must not exceed 3 mins in length, and slammers may get penalised for going over (this includes any introductions.) The performances will be scored by a panel of judges, who will mark on writing, delivery, and the audience response. For any questions about the competition, email Chris on sporkpoetry@gmail.com.
Bridport Prize 2026
Poetry. 1st Prize £5,000
You don’t have to be Tennyson Just talented | Up to 42 lines.
Short story. 1st Prize £5,000
Quick to read, impossible to forget | 5,000 words or less.
Flash Fiction. 1st Prize £1,000
The art of just enough | 250 words or less.
Novel. Winner £1,500 plus package
The Peggy Chapman-Andrews First Novel Award | 8,000 words and a synopsis - initially.
Up to a year’s mentoring from The Literary Consultancy through their Chapter & Verse scheme (worth £2,640) and a detailed critique from the novel judge.
Runner-up £750 plus package
Full manuscript appraisal and Industry Day place from The Literary Consultancy.
Young Writer Award £500
For the highest placed writer aged 16 to 25 in poetry, short story, flash fiction and novel.
Never Too Late Award
This £500 award is given to the highest placed writer aged 60+ in Poetry, Short Story, Novel and Flash Fiction. The winning piece will feature in our anthology, which counts as being published and opens doors with literary agents and publishers. It also accesses other competitions not available to the public.
Publication
All winning poetry, short story, flash fiction and novel pieces are featured in our anthology, opening doors with literary agents and publishers and giving access to other competitions not available to the public.
Bursaries available
We have a robust scheme of bursaries available for under represented writers. No proof of income is required. Find out more here
