The Value of Writing: The Northern Writers’ Awards: 2000-2018

This research explores, for the first time, the various impacts of the Northern Writers’ Awards (NWAs) on its winning authors, their writing practice and subsequent professional development. The research is based on the results of an online survey of previous Northern Writers’ Awards winners conducted by Professor Katy Shaw of Northumbria University. The survey was designed to examine impact, identify elements of best practice, and consider opportunities for future enhancement of the awards. The survey was sent to 168 respondents in February 2018 and generated a 55% return rate. This report also draws on demographic and other data collated by New Writing North as part of their own monitoring of the awards