Commonword is a writing development organisation based in Manchester, providing opportunities for new and aspiring writers to develop their talent and potential.

Our competitions, workshops and events act as a point of focus for many writers seeking encouragement and confidence. From small beginnings in 1977, we have grown into the largest new writing, community writing and publishing organisation in the North West. We work  on regional, national and international levels, promoting new writing and helping new writers become more successful.

We are a National Portfolio Organisation, receiving funding from Arts Council England.  We are part of the UK’s vibrant cultural sector. The cultural sector bring communities together and make lives richer. It also creates economic growth and jobs: it is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy.

Click here to find out more about the great contribution the arts make to the national economy.

Commonword have a small core staff team and also engage a number of freelance staff to help us deliver our programme.

Commonword is currently:

Peter Kalu, Artistic Director

Martin De Mello, New-Writing Coordinator

Shirley May, Director, Young Identity Project

Reece Williams, Administrator, Young Identity Project

Nina Roach, Finance and Administration (freelance)

Cultureword was established in 1986 as a centre for Black creative writing in the North West of England. It has achieved national renown for discovering, developing and promoting Asian, African Caribbean and Chinese writers.

Cultureword provides the facilities for people to develop their writing, and our activities act as a point of focus for many writers seeking encouragement and confidence. Cultureword is a part of Commonword.

Crocus Books is the publishing imprint of Commonword and Cultureword. Crocus publishes Commonword’s anthologies and the winners of our writing competitions. We have run competitions in the areas of poetry, short stories and novels.

We have also from time to time called for submissions from writers on various themes. Those submissions selected by the editors get published in the anthologies.

Our paperback publications reflect the diverse talents of North West writers – and bring those talents to a national audience.

Crocus books are available from bookshops, can be found on amazon.co.uk or can be ordered directly from Commonword.

For more information on ordering books please email: admin@cultureword.org.uk