New writing north's summer season is celebrating its 25th Northern Writers’ Award with author appearances at local libraries.

Notably, author Okechukwu Nzelu is appearing at Hexham Library on June 18.

The season, which emphasises northern women writers.

The summer event will reveal winners via livestream on June 25.

Additionally, other scheduled author interactions consist of Karen Powell at Newcastle’s Northern Stage on June 14, Eliza Clark on June 17, and more.

Readers can further explore new books by these and other northern authors.

Aspiring and established writers can also look to get involved in free writing groups catering to different communities, such as young people, speakers of English as an additional language, and women of colour.

There's also the affordable keep writing course, available in Morpeth and Jesmond libraries.

A new volunteering programme called shared reading volunteers, will help to increase the wellbeing of patients in hospital as part of a scheme run by New Writing North and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

You can apply to be apart of the new scheme and applications close on May 13.

This summer's programme offers writing opportunities for young people between 11-19, taking place in several locations including Newcastle, Gateshead, and South Shields.