The children's writing competition 500 Words is to be relaunched by BBC One's Breakfast programme, three years after it was dropped from Radio 2.

First launched by Chris Evans on Radio 2's own breakfast show in 2011, the popular UK-wide contest continued with his successor Zoe Ball until 2020.

It will return in September, again backed by the Queen Consort Camilla.

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5th - 8th October 2023

Often referred to as DPF, Derby Poetry Festival is a four-day poetry and literature festival held in the centre of Derby. We are dedicated to developing new writing talent in Derby and bring excellent work to the city. DPF has just entered it's fifth year, and 2023 is set to be bigger and better than ever.

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Our 2023 poetry competition is now open and, in a head-spinning break from tradition, there is NO THEME! That’s right, you can send us that limerick you wrote on Mongolian Throat Singing, or the Ode to Roy (Keene). Whatever you think will appeal to our judge, the awesome Leanne Moden. As always, our competitions are open to all, anywhere in the world.

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In Summer 2023, Nottingham’s new Central Library will open its doors to the public. This long-awaited opening is the start of a new chapter for Nottingham and will be celebrated across the city with a whole Year of Stories and storytelling.

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Online
29th March

Your manuscript’s complete at last, your final edit made – but now what? If you’ve been considering traditional publishing but don’t know where to start, or you need advice on how to improve your submission package, this 6-week, online course could answer any questions you might have before embarking on this next stage of your writing journey.

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Stamford Arts Centre
29th March

Once again we meet to share our poetry. Also, make sure you know the details of this year's Poet Laureate for Stamford competition, Deadline in April. Have a chat with some of the previous holders of the post to find out what it entails.

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University of Leicester
29th March

This talk will focus on the different types of collaboration that make up the professional life of a writer, editor and academic. Barbara will be drawing on her own experiences of poetic co-creation, collaboration with an illustrator, and setting up and participating in writing retreats to show that while writing is usually a solitary act, no writer need ever be alone.

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Sobar, Nottingham
31st March

The Sobar Social is back with poetic vengeance! Join us and our resident poetry crew The do or Die poets for a joint celebration of creativity, recovery and performance. Expect great poetry, a great open mic session and an amazing headliner the form Do or Die Poets alumna BETH PARKER. Hosted by the ever awesome MIGGY ANGEL!

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Upstairs @ The Western
31st March

BBC Slam Champion, Jess Green is an award-winning performance poet and script writer for theatre and TV. She began to garner a following in 2013 with her viral poem, Dear Mr Gove and has since performed at Glastonbury, Latitude, Bestival and BBC 6 Music Festival. She’s featured on BBC 6 Music, E4, BBC5Live, ITV and BBC Breakfast as well as in The Guardian, Huffington Post, The Independent and The Spectator.

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Dubrek Studios 67 Bridge Street Derby
31st March

With work rooted in word-witchery and the working class, Louise explores the synergy between poetry, voice and movement in a way that makes the ugly beautiful and the mundane fantastical. Winner of BBC Radio 3 ‘New Voices’, European Slam Finalist and support artist for punk legend Dr. John Cooper Clark, Louise is a true, Northern powerhouse. Welcome to her world of darkly humorous poetry.

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University of Derby
1st April

The Writers’ Conference returns in April 2023, bringing writers from all over the region, and beyond, together with the industry, for a day of inspiration and networking. Get your creative juices flowing, discover new pathways and make connections.

Hosted at the University of Derby, this will be a day of workshops, panel discussions and talks – including from keynote speakers (to be announced).

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Cellar Bar Stamford
5th April

My Car Plays Tapes is the new storytelling show by writer, theatre maker and Radio 4 regular John Osborne about minimum wage jobs,, cars that don’t work and being reunited with your old cassette collection.

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Vegan Bar, 94 Granby Street, Leicester
6th April

We are back for another edition of Run Your Tongue - the spoken word open mic night where everyone is welcome and anything goes!

We are delighted to welcome the fantastic NANCY DAWKINS to headline for us this time:) Join us for a weird and wonderful evening of words at the amazing new DONALD WATSON'S VEGAN BAR, Leicester.

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Five Leaves Bookshop* 14a Long Row, Nottingham
6th April

From an Orkney settlement buried in sand five thousand years ago to a medieval city mouldering beneath the waves of the North Sea, Britain’s landscape is scarred with the haunting and romantic remains; these shadowlands that were once filled with life are now just spectral echoes.

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The Playwright, Nottingham
6th April

Live from the poet's corner at the playwright is a monthly spoken word open mic evening inviting anybody to get up and share some words, featuring poetry from a range of spoken word artists, poets and musicians.

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Bunkers Hill, Nottingham
7th April

Speech Therapy on Good Friday promises more goodies than the Easter Bunny. Our rising star Jack Coverdale will be giving us a feature set along with a full length set from a long-standing friend of this long-running night of ours ...Lytisha Tunbridge.

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Online
11th April

You will be able to join us from the comfort of your favourite armchair

- we will be streaming live and recording!

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City Arts - Nottingham
26th May

DIY Poets will host a mental health themed evening of poetry at Nottingham City Arts. Come along and perform your poems.

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