Azumah Nelson to open National Creative Writing Day

Novelist Caleb Azumah Nelson is to open the seventh iteration of the National Creative Writing Industry Day, as the event returns to a live physical event this year.

The author of Open Water (Viking) will deliver a  keynote speech to aspiring writers at Manchester Metropolitan University at a conference hosted in partnership with Comma Press. The event will also include a panel discussion on "The Paths of Northern Writers" with editor of award-nominated Aurelia Magazine Kya Buller, Desiree Reynolds and 2021 BBC National Short Story Award shortlistee Richard Smyth.

Workshops will be delivered by debut author Sarah Schofield and writer Jenn Ashworth, following in-person one-to-ones with agents from the Good Literary Agency, David Godwin Associates, Eve White, Charlie Campbell Literary Agents and other companies. 

Zoë Turner, publisher at Comma Press, said of the event: “It’s so exciting to be able to bring the conference back to its in-person format, while also filming the keynote speech and panel event for free online delivery to maintain the accessibility and reach of last year’s online iteration. Caleb will be the perfect keynote for 2021, inspiring new writers both in the north and nationally.”

Capacity is limited this year to ensure Covid-19 safety. Concessions are also available from Comma Press' event page.