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.
Announcing Campfire – Exeter’s New Quarterly Literary Salon
Location: Bookbag independent bookshop, McCoys Arcade, Fore Street
When: Tuesday 10th June
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.
Special Art Week Exeter June Prompt Phrase - “The Colour That Didn’t Exist”
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.
Ronald Duncan Archive Stipend
Ronald Duncan (1914-1982), pictured above in his writing hut on the cliffs of Welcombe, North Devon, was a productive West Country author, journalist, playwright, poet, and scriptwriter. He may be best known as the librettist for Benjamin Britten's The Rape of Lucretia (1946) and for his poem The Horse, which is read annually at the Horse of the Year show. Duncan’s writing hut also features on Exeter City of Literature’s Literary Map.
His career encompassed experiments with several writing forms including his epic poem Man (The Complete Cantos, 1980), and a one act play in Stereophonic Sound O-B-A-F-G. Duncan left the legacy of a fascinating archive of literary and personal papers, the Ronald Duncan Collection, which was donated to Special Collections in 2016.
Find out more about Ronald Duncan in their online exhibition
University of Exeter Special Collections is thrilled to launch the annual Ronald Duncan Stipends for Southwest Writing. These Stipends are funded by a donation from the Ronald Duncan Literary Foundation to continue his legacy of experimental and cross-disciplinary writing.
Each year, three talented writers will have the chance to explore our incredible archives to inspire new creative works. We’re looking for innovative minds eager to engage with our collections in fresh and exciting ways, producing original writing and sharing their journey with the public.
While the University of Exeter Special Collections (Exeter & Penryn campuses) will be the core focus, we welcome projects that connect with other heritage organisations, weaving rich narratives across multiple collections.
Each year one of these stipends may be offered in partnership with another organisation and take a specific focus. For 2025 we are partnering with Exeter City of Literature to offer one of the stipends to a writer from another UNESCO City of Literature. You can find more about this particular stipend here.
What’s in it for you?
£2,000 stipend to support your time and expenses
Up to £500 for outreach and engagement activities
Specialist guidance from our expert Special Collections team
Access to a vibrant network of university partners & professionals
If you’re passionate about archives, storytelling, and bringing history to life through writing, this is your chance! Your next great story starts here...
New Nottingham Journal - Submissions
Are Open
Submissions for the NNJ are now open until the 27th of June.
All submissions should be in Arial, 12 point, double-spaced, with your name and email address in the header. Please attach your piece/s to your email, as a PDF, Google Doc or Word document.
Please send these to editor@newnottinghamjournal.com before the 27th of June. We ask that you include a brief one sentence bio for yourself which could be included in our contributors section. Here are some guidelines for our content categories:
Poetry: please send up to four poems in one document - each should be no more than 1000 characters.
Short fiction: please send pieces up to 1500 words.
Creative non-fiction & slow journalism: please send pieces up to 1000 words.
During this submission window we are seeking to publish original material, rather than pieces which have already appeared on the web or elsewhere in print. We will consider original translations if the work has not appeared before in English. We do not currently accept postal submissions.
Thank you for reading carefully - we can’t wait to read your work!
The Coleridge Poetry Prize
The Coleridge Poetry Prize is open for entries!
Submit a poem (up to 40 lines) on any topic for a chance to win £50 and publication in our Exmoor Review journal.
This year, the competition will be judged by Tom Cain, Emeritus Professor and published poet and critic.
Happy Writing!
Closing Date: Monday 30th June 2025
Entry: info@exmoorsociety.com
Tribe Warrior Motion Comic Competition
We are looking for new and emerging young artists (12-21 years) to submit first stage sketches in response to any of the characters and/or locations depicted in Tribe Warrior. You can take your inspiration directly from the text or from the live event on the 24th of May at Gnash Comics. Competition deadline June 30th 2025.
Current funding applications permitting, competition winner/s will be commissioned and paid to create fully realised, graphic artworks for the Tribe Warrior motion comic. All artwork submitted to competition will be included in the Rite to Freedom Legacy Archive.
Competition entry fee £7.50.
Contact us using the form below and we will send you BACS bank transfer details. Your fee will cover competition admin and our assement panel costs.
Could you be Exeter’s first Young City Laureate?
The search is on to find Exeter’s first ever Young City Laureate. Literature Works are looking for an aspiring young writer aged between 14 and 19 years who is ambitious to develop as a writer and performer, voicing the stories of the young people of Exeter.
The role of Exeter Young City Laureate is important. The chosen young writer will be commissioned and paid to create work to celebrate special events or occasions in the city and will be invited to perform in libraries, schools and at festivals.
Submissions are open now and close at midday on Wednesday 16th July 2025.
Who can apply?
The Young City Laureate is open to any young person aged 14-19 who lives, works or studies in Exeter. You will be a writer of either prose (fiction, creative non-fiction) or poetry.
