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A new initiative supported by the New Statesman aims to discover talented new writers and increase opportunities for aspiring journalists from working class and under-represented backgrounds.
A Writing Chance is a UK-wide programme looking for new writing from people whose voices have historically not been heard in the media, in order to prise open a persistently elitist industry.
Jason Cowley, editor of the New Statesman, said, “For too long the world of journalism has favoured a privileged minority. The New Statesman, which thrives on discovering new voices, is delighted to lend its support to this vital scheme to redress the balance.”
The programme from New Writing North and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, also supported by the Daily Mirror, will help new writers break into the creative industries through bursaries and mentoring with established writers and journalists.
A Writing Chance is open for applications until 26 March 2021. A group of ten new and aspiring writers of journalism, fiction and creative non-fiction will be selected for the programme, which includes the opportunity to have work published in the New Statesman or the Daily Mirror (in print or online), or broadcast as part of a new podcast series. For full details please visit awritingchance.co.uk