National Writers Conference 2025

National Writers Conference 2025: Sustaining Your Writing

Date/Time: 31st May 2025, 10am-4pm (registration from 9.15am)

Location: Bramall Music Building at the University of Birmingham Campus

Join Writing West Midlands for a day filled with dynamic panel discussions, insightful presentations, and excellent networking opportunities with writers from across the country.

Leading writers, publishers and other industry professionals will share their expertise on topics designed to support and elevate your writing career, including:

Digital Promotion – using TikTok, Instagram and other digital platforms to promote your writing.

Funding for Writers – advice & guidance from organisations, including Arts Council England.

How Publishing Works – inside knowledge on the various stages of publishing, from selling a manuscript to getting the book on sale.

Writing for Audio – finding routes to getting your work on the BBC and beyond

Collaborative Writing – the challenges and rewards of working creatively with other creative practitioners.

The Future for Writers – what accelerating change might mean for all of us

“Many of us have great writing ideas and starting the work can be a pleasure. Keeping going offers its own demands – finding the time and often the money – not to mention the complexities of offering our work to readers or listeners.

The National Writers Conference has always put writers first, and this year we have plenty of panel sessions offering vital practical knowledge. Inspiration is also important, and our two keynote speakers – poet Liz Berry and novelist Mike Gayle – will certainly help give us all the confidence to carry on.” – Jonathan Davidson, Chief Executive Writing West Midlands

Come along, ask questions, share answers and be part of a vibrant network of writers from across the country.

National Writers Conference 2025 at a glance:

Keynote Address from poet and campaigner for public libraries – author of the award-winning novel in verse The Home Child – Liz Berry

Keynote Interview with Mike Gayle, journalist and novelist and best-selling author of eighteen published novels, most recently Hope Street

Industry Knowledge – panel sessions on How Publishing Works, Writing for Audio and Digital Promotion

Personal Support – panel sessions on Collaborative Writing and Creative Writing Work with Children & Young People.

Information & Inspiration – panel sessions on Support of Writers and The Future for Writers

Ample Networking Opportunities – including a dedicated networking session during lunch for expanding connections within the writing community, both locally and nationally.

Speakers & Panellists include Sofia Saghir (Campaign Manager, Riot Communications), Lucy Martin (Publicity Manager, Little, Brown Book Group), Peter Stones (Relationship Manager: Literature, Arts Council England), Kurly McGeachie (Performance Poet, Workshop Leader), Leena Normington (Poet, Vlogger & Presenter), Anna Ganley (Chief Executive, Society of Authors), Gregory Leadbetter (Audio Writer & Poet), Kasim Ali (Editor & Novelist), Jenny McCann (Founder & Owner, The Bear Bookshop)

Bookshop – Voce Books, Birmingham’s bookshops for thinkers and writers, will be selling books by all speakers plus a selection of poetry, fiction and non-fiction titles

“The conference was absolutely brilliant. Excellent focused content with up-to-date material. The Chairs were professional, the speakers articulate and knowledgeable. Probably the best 1 day conference I have ever attended.” – Attendee of NWC 2024

Important information:

Please note that shops and eateries are usually closed on campus on conference day. You are welcome to bring your own lunch with you or a simple packed lunch can be purchased for £10 as an add-on to your ticket price on tickets purchased before the 14th May 2025 (please do this before checking out on Eventbrite).

Refreshments such as tea, coffee and squash will be available.

Ticket Prices: Ticket prices start at £42 (concession) and there are bursary tickets available – email info@writingwestmidlands.org to apply(read our bursary policy here)

The National Writers Conference is presented in partnership with University of Birmingham. Supported by the Society of Authors, the Authors’ Licensing & Collecting Society and Arts Council England.