Submit your writing for inclusion in our Why We Write Showcase!

In the age of AI, we are championing human-authored writing, creativity and imagination through our Arts Council England-funded project Why We Write. 

Sponsored by Goldsboro Books and DHH Literary Agency and delivered in partnership with Brent Libraries, Creative Folkestone, Goldsmiths University, EF, New Writing South, NT Theatreworks, and York St John University, we are exploring with writers through workshops in Brent, Brighton, Folkestone, Lewisham and York (more details here), what motivates you, why writing is important to you, and what you need to write. 

The Why We Write project culminates in a celebration of writing and writers at our Showcase in June 2027, when six writers who have submitted work will be selected by our Why We Write panel to read their piece to a supportive audience of fellow writers, friends and project participants and partners.

The Invitation:

Whether you’re a novelist, memoirist, short story or flash fiction writer, poet, screen or song writer, or playwright, we want to hear from you.

Writers working across any form or genre, fiction or non-fiction are invited to submit a piece of work that is meaningful to you by 31 March 2027 to be read at the Showcase. Alongside your work, we’re asking you to answer, in less than 300 words, the question: Why is writing important to you?

Submissions are open to writers of any background and experience. You do not have to have attended one of the Why We Write workshops to submit a piece, although we hope insights gathered there inspire you.

All submissions will receive one line of feedback on what the reader liked and what might be improved. 

All short-listed work will be read by our Why We Write panel. 

Six selected writers will be offered the opportunity to participate in a National Theatre Theatreworks training day in London as they prepare to read their work at the Showcase. We will cover reasonable travel expenses.

The Timeline:

Deadline for submission: 5 March 2027

Notification your work has been selected: 2 April 2027

NT TheatreWorks Training day: TBC, May 2027, National Theatre, Upper Ground Southbank, London, SE1 9PX.

Why We Write Showcase: 5 June 2027, 6:00-8:00pm, Deptford Town Hall, New Cross Road, Deptford, SE14 6NW.