Story Machine launches creative writing guides for writers ‘struggling to access opportunities’

Story Machine has launched You Are a Writer, a series of creative writing guides written specifically with and for writers who struggle to access existing opportunities.

You Are a Writer, which comprises five guides to be published in 2024, aims to “champion everyday creativity and expand access to high-quality writing education”. Arts Council England has invested more than £40,000 from the National Lottery Project Grants to support the project, which was instigated by poet, performer and playwright James McDermott.

He said: “To train as a writer, I had to invest in studying for a BA, MA, and travel to and from London to train on various writing courses with high-profile companies.

“As a working-class writer, this was only possible through bursaries and funding which are not available to everyone. My book is a way to consolidate the lessons learned and to offer it to writers for just £10. My book will be accessible, conversational, and driven by provocations and questions as opposed to truisms and lectures.

“These books will also seek to democratise the canon by citing and exploring books that have been traditionally overlooked – queer tales, Black and ethnically diverse authors, working class narratives. I want to write a handbook that will hold the uncertainty, contradictions and subjectivity of the writing craft, while also challenging the prevailing notion that one cannot start and sustain a career outside the cities. My book will be an effort to make high-quality writing training available to the many.”

Sam Ruddock, editorial director of Story Machine, said: “These books are needed. Access to creative writing opportunities remains deeply unequal. Over the last three years Story Machine has worked with communities of writers – in prison, suffering chronic conditions, excluded by class expectations or financial constraint, overwhelmed with stress – who report feeling unable to access existing opportunities. We look forward to working with emerging writers to help them transform the landscape of creativity in the UK.”