Young writers aged between 14 and 18 who have lived for at least a year in the north-east of England - Tyne and Wear, the Tees Valley, County Durham or Northumberland - can win pound;500 to help them pursue ambitions in any area of creative writing, perhaps by attending a course or workshops. The WordMavericks Young Writer category has been added to the Northern Writers awards, which support writers who live and work in the north-east. The new award is in association with www.wordmavericks.com, a national website for 10 to 18-year-olds who would like feedback on their writing or advice on getting published. They can also post their pieces on the addictive Genius at Work page or find ideas for careers which involve writing in the “Hate Work, Love Writing” section.

Meanwhile, the two regular categories for adult writers in the Northern Writers awards, Time to Write and Northern Promise (for as yet unpublished writers), are continuing. The closing date is January 30, 2006. Full details at www.newwritingnorth.comawards index.wow.