[brendonbackflip]

Basically, I spend a lot of my time writing, yet very few people see it. My mum's being going on about how I should try and do something with my 'talent' (my mum's opinion, I'm claiming nothing ) so I can get something out of it - not money, my mum's along the lines of a portfolio for university, for if I choose a Creative Writing or English based course. I actually quite like that idea, but I've got no idea how...I was thinking writing competitions, but I can't find any for my age range (15 - 16 this August), in the UK, and going on now :/ Apart from that, I can't think of anything! Apart from school related stuff, what else can I do?

Sorry if this hasn't made much sense, I'm not entirely sure how to phrase what I want!

[madders94]

KDP -Kindle Direct Publishing. You can publish your writing for free through Amazon Kindle for e-book my boyfriend's getting money for his novel.

[JCC-MGS]

Most writing competitions have no minimum age limit so if you're confident enough go for it, otherwise look into poetry magazines like the Rialto which take unsolicited submissions, short story magazines etc. some pay, some don't, depending on what you're looking to achieve and what your style is some are a better choice than others. There's a few online directories for literary magazines, most are pretty outdated lists but you can still glean some useful information from them

[sammy-lou]

(Original post by brendonbackflip)
Basically, I spend a lot of my time writing, yet very few people see it. My mum's being going on about how I should try and do something with my 'talent' (my mum's opinion, I'm claiming nothing ) so I can get something out of it - not money, my mum's along the lines of a portfolio for university, for if I choose a Creative Writing or English based course. I actually quite like that idea, but I've got no idea how...I was thinking writing competitions, but I can't find any for my age range (15 - 16 this August), in the UK, and going on now :/ Apart from that, I can't think of anything! Apart from school related stuff, what else can I do?

Sorry if this hasn't made much sense, I'm not entirely sure how to phrase what I want!

Hey,

Just to quickly point out, most unis wont want a portfolio for an English or English with creative writing course. Although that's sort of irrelevant because obviously that sort of thing can be put on your PS at it will look great!

I do a fair bit of writing - you might want to have a look at these guys. http://www.tranquillitypublishing.com/

They got in touch with me over TSR asking me to write something for a project they're working on. They're a lovely company and are just starting up, so are really open to new writers at the moment. Check out their website, and you can email them with an attached file and just ask them to let you know if it's what they're looking for.

Start posting on here as well if you don't already. I'd be interested to see some of your work!

Good luck

[The Marshall]

Yeah, I'm in the same range as the OP here.

[chloboshoka]

(Original post by madders94)
KDP -Kindle Direct Publishing. You can publish your writing for free through Amazon Kindle for e-book my boyfriend's getting money for his novel.

That's awesome. Thanks for that. Like the OP, I spend a lot of my time writing as well.

[spacepirate-James]

Please for the love of God do not self-publish. It will ruin all credibility you will ever have, as a writer. Never pay other people to publish your work.

In terms of competitions, I recommend Foyle's national poetry competition which is aimed at teens. Of course, if your work is good enough you could try submitting short stories/poetry directly to magazines. Novels are much harder and require an agent.

I'm currently working on a solid poetry collection that I will hopefully start sending to places.