Subject Association

As the Subject Association for Creative Writing, NAWE's aim is to further knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of Creative Writing and to support good practice in its teaching and learning at all levels.

NAWE promotes the recognition of Creative Writing as both a distinct discipline and an essential element in education generally.

NAWE fosters the discussion of methods of teaching Creative Writing of all genres, through conferences, publications and online resources.

NAWE was founded in 1987, ahead of the massive expansion of writing courses in Higher Education. Its members have been actively involved not only in that movement but also in establishing a creative agenda in schools.

NAWE describes education in the very broadest sense and its work therefore embraces the many less formal arenas of learning and professional development. Most importantly, NAWE aims to connect all these arenas.

In addition to its role in responding to national issues, NAWE also links the UK with similar associations overseas. 

Subject Definition

Creative Writing is the study of writing (including poetry, fiction, drama and creative-non-fiction) and its contexts through creative production and reflection on process.. By writing, we mean not only books and other printed materials, but also scripted and unscripted performances, oral and recorded outputs, and the variety of forms possible in electronic, digital and other new media. Creative Writing can use any form or genre of writing as an exemplary subject of study, but the productions of Creative Writing tend not to be informational, but imaginative interpretations of the world that invite the complex participation of the audience or reader.