matthewturner.info

I’m thrilled to be working with the Jericho Prize, a new competition for unpublished Black-British children’s writers.

Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, the Jericho Prize is looking for writers with great stories to inspire children aged 4 years plus and 7–9.

Winners in each category receive a £500 cash prize, exclusive access to publishing industry professionals and much more. The prize is supported by leading children’s publishers Knights Of, Penguin Random House Children’s and Alanna Max, plus the Youth Libraries Group, Storymix and Candid Cocoa.

The project will also be making free resources for new writers available online during the course of the prize, with experienced writers giving advice on every stage of the writing process, from coming up with ideas to working with agents and publishers.

I’ll be helping with the marketing of the prize, as we try to spread the word and unearth all the fantastic writing talent out there. Give us a follow on Twitter or Instagram.

You can find out more at www.jerichoprize.com. The prize is free to enter for unpublished and self-published Black-British writers over the age of 18, with submissions open from 2 August 2021.

News of a couple of events in September, both in the Brighton area. I’ll be reading from Exit Strategies and other work at Shoreham WordFest, on a lively programme with four other local writers, and giving a preview of my new play at Sussex Playwrights’ Club. Both events are open to all so please join us.

Saturday 29 September, 7.30pm
An Evening with Local Authors
Shoreham Centre, Pond Road, Shoreham-by-Sea

Compered by Craig Melvin of the Big Book Group, with readings by local authors Sue Walker, Sally O’Reilly, Pam Weaver, Matthew Turner and MM Lee, followed by Q&A. Refreshments available.

Tickets: £5, available online here or call 07522 957691

For more information on this year’s Shoreham WordFest see the website or pick up one of the brochures which are dotted around Shoreham.

The other date to look out for is Sunday 16 September, when my new 10-minute play The Exchange will be read at Sussex Playwrights’ Club. This is really work-in-progress towards my new full-length play, Closed, so it will be great to test the material in front of an audience for the first time.

The meeting starts at 7pm at the New Venture Theatre, Brighton, and the reading will follow a discussion of plans for the club’s future development. Guests are always welcome at these meetings, paying £2 on the door. And this includes a glass of wine!