Online, Friday 13 November & Saturday 14 November 2026

Join us at the most important event of the year for those who teach and facilitate creative writing or aspire to do so. The NAWE conference is a unique and inspiring gathering. Over two online days it brings together:

• Writers working with schools and communities
• Writers aspiring to teach
• Innovative researchers in creative writing theory and practice
• Lecturers in Further and Higher Education
• Freelance project facilitators
• Independent and academic publishers
• Literature development agencies, and more

Our theme for 2026, Writing Worlds, reflects the diverse worlds we inhabit and represent, in person, online, locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. Whichever context you are part of, as a NAWE member or a non-member participant, this important conference provides opportunities to:

• Hear from inspiring speakers
• Share your research and practice
• Gain insights to help your professional development
• Experience practical ways to boost your wellbeing 
• Enjoy networking with NAWE’s UK-wide community
• Hear from our overseas partner organisations
• Take part in important debates: two Big Conversations with invited panels to discuss AI: the Human Element and Why Writing Matters.

Proposals

However you choose to interpret Writing Worlds, we welcome proposals that inform, showcase, and inspire for: 

Presentations in time slots of up to 25 or 55 minutes including time for questions and discussion. 

We recommend a maximum length of 10 minutes for presentations, so proposals for multiple presentations with colleagues and co-researchers within a 55 minute slot are welcome.

Practical workshops of up to 55 minutes, including time for questions and discussion. 

There are three categories of submission: 

Practice and participation 

Individual writers, community development agencies and freelance practitioners are the driving force behind writing projects and collaborations that can transform lives and life-chances. We welcome submissions for practical workshops, insights into community-based projects, and examples of approaches that inspire creative writing with and by diverse participants, and in under-served parts of the UK.

Research and innovation

As the Subject Association for creative writing in the UK, NAWE is the leading research community for innovations in pedagogy, theory, emerging practice, and developing technologies. The conference is an ideal platform for dissemination of findings and results, including work in progress and ongoing doctoral and post-doc research. Group presentations, individual presentations, collaborations, and pre-recorded poster presentations on video are all welcome.

Professional and personal development 

NAWE is the single organisation supporting teachers and facilitators of creative writing and associated professional services. We provide services for all career stages, and our membership contains a treasure trove of expertise above and beyond the skills of teaching, facilitation and research. We welcome submissions for sessions on diverse topics such as safeguarding, fundraising, marketing, social media, running retreats, wellbeing for writers, going freelance, independent publishing, mentoring and coaching, ways to develop your portfolio career… and much more.

Unsure which category is right for your proposal? Email us at admin@nawe.co.uk and we can explore the options with you.

How to submit

You are invited to submit the following:

• A 100 word description of your presentation or workshop
• A 50-word biography and a head-and-shoulders photograph of each presenter

The deadline for submission is 23:59, Sunday 24 May 2026.

All proposals are considered by a small team drawn from the NAWE Conference Sub-Committee, who are helping produce the conference. You will hear whether your proposal has been accepted by Friday 31 July 2026.

As a presenter you will be eligible for a reduced delegate fee. You can view these fees here. All presenters must attend the Conference as a delegate. Presentations and workshops are recorded in order to be made available for viewing by NAWE members for a limited time post-Conference. All presentations and workshops will be considered for publication in NAWE’s magazine, Writing in Education.

We look forward to seeing your proposal.

Submissions open until August 21, 2026. For any questions, do please email William Gallagher.

We invite NAWE members to write on the subject of creative writing in education - in schools, adult education and community settings. We encourage you to think broadly on this topic and address any issue relating to the development of a space for creative writing in the education system. Please note, it is developmental work that we wish to highlight, not self-promotion. It may be useful to think about the kinds of articles most useful to your teaching and practice. 

Please note that Submissions must be the sole work of the author(s) and not involve third parties with a claim to copyright. Permission to reproduce any text, photographs and illustrations is the responsibility of the author(s).  

Please ensure that you have read the submission guidelines, available here.

Submissions that ignore these guidelines may be dismissed.