Each year, the Escalator New Writing Fellowships provide ten emerging writers from the East of England with mentoring, masterclasses, industry connections and showcases.
Over twenty years, we have helped 160+ writers hone their craft, get published, earn critical acclaim and more – increasing the representation of diverse voices on UK bookshelves.
We can only do this thanks to generous lovers of books and creative writing who recognise the need to support new talent.
In a rapidly changing world, we need your support more than ever to nurture the writers of tomorrow, today.
Donate, or purchase a handmade literary screen print, with all proceeds to Escalator.
Donate to Escalator
100% of your donation will support Escalator.
Show your support with a print
Our ever popular literary-inspired screen prints directly support Escalator.
Four distinct designs feature a quote from Julian of Norwich, Sir Thomas Browne, Meir ben Elijah and Harriet Martineau.
Each print is lovingly made by Well Nice, an independent screen printing studio in Norwich.
‘Escalator has transformed so many lives, including my own. We have many talented writers in our region, don’t let their voices go unheard’
How your donation could nurtures the writers of tomorrow, today
- £25 pays for one writer to attend a professional development masterclass.
- £250 enables all the writers to attend a bespoke professional development masterclass.
- £500 creates a publishing showcase pack for the writers.
- £1,500 gives one writer bespoke mentoring for eight months.
- £3,000 supports the entirety one Escalator writer’s transformative year round experience – including their mentor’s stipend.
‘Escalator has been a force for change from the very start is something to cherish and be proud of, something that offers real hope for the future.’
– Nicola Upson, Escalator Alumni
Nicola’s story
Escalator Success Stories
Discover the transformative impact of Escalator for writers, in their own words.
Jon Ransom
The first ever writer to win consecutive Polari Prizes.
Anni Domingo
‘As a Black writer from this region Escalator gives us a chance to deal with themes not usually seen and voices not usually heard’
Ely Percy
Scottish Book of the Year winner and influencing the curriculum
Escalator does essential work to support writers at a critical point. Investing in early-career writers means supporting talented and unheard voices, helping create a flourishing literary culture with a rich diversity.
Named Fellowships
You can build a deeper relationship with the Escalator New Writing Fellowships through sponsorship or named Fellowships for writers – these can reflect specific genres or personal backgrounds of writers, aligning your support with new talent in a personal and meaningful way.
‘Escalator New Writing Fellowships are embedded in their longstanding mission to improve access to disparate and marginalised voices in the publishing world. This is a mission we fully support and will continue to do so in the future’ – Allan Reeves, Patron of the Reeve Award.
Current named Fellowships:
- The Laura Kinsella Fellowships: Two writers in recognition of the strength of their writing.
- The Reeves Award: Two Fellowships per year to support Afro-Caribbean and Black British voices.
To explore a new named Fellowship, contact us using the details below.
Contact us
If you wish to talk to a member of our team about supporting NCW, or learn more about the difference your support makes to writers, translators and our communities, we would love to hear from you.
Please contact Dan Scales, Development Manager, [email protected].
The National Centre for Writing strives for best practice in its fundraising and is registered with the Fundraising Regulator.
We are transparent with our donors and supporters, and strive to ensure that our fundraising is legal, open, honest, and respectful.