New proposal for UK national centre for writing in Newcastle aims to develop future talent

A charity based in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, has proposed a plan for the first National Centre for Writing in the north of England. New Writing North aims to train a new generation of writing talent and shift the publishing power away from London. The £14 million plan seeks £5 million in government funding, with collaborations with Northumbria University and major publishers like Hachette UK, Faber & Faber, and Simon and Schuster. The goal is to revitalize the region, attract investment, and develop local talent in the creative industries. The UK’s creative industries are highly profitable, with the publishing industry alone contributing £11 billion to the economy. By supporting writers, the centre hopes to create opportunities in various creative fields, including publishing, film, TV, gaming, music, and more. Locating the centre in the north-east is also intended to address poverty in the region and reduce inequality. The initiative is seen as a way to unleash the creative potential of the nation and provide opportunities for all individuals to develop their talents. The proposal comes at a time of political change in the UK, with hopes that the Labour government will support initiatives like this to boost the creative industries and address social issues. Mayor Kim McGuinness has expressed commitment to building the region’s economy around creative industries, writing, publishing, and film, and sees the establishment of the Centre for Writing as a vital step towards achieving these goals.

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