Earlier this year, Fighting Words NI published their first youth writing magazine, called Write Up Your Street, in which 130 children published a piece of writing, plus several group pieces. Some of the young people read their work at the launch event, surrounded by family and friends, and writer Roddy Doyle, the founder of Fighting Words. 10,000 copies of the first zine have been published and distributed across Belfast, sparking conversations about children’s perceptions of their city.
Their next Zine is in the works, with a new theme of Happiness. It will be published and distributed in January, to give a boost of happiness across Northern Ireland at the darkest time of year. The recommended deadline is the 6th of November.  (Though if they don’t have enough submissions by then, it will be extended to the 20th of November!)
The submission deadline is 5pm on the 6th November 2023. Anyone in Northern Ireland aged 8 to 18 years can submit a piece of writing. Stories, poems, songs, comics, jokes, scripts, and essays can all be submitted, all writing must feature a connection to the theme of Happiness. Submission are open to young people around Northern Ireland, group submissions will be accepted, such as a collaborative piece from a class or youth group. Follow their social media for reminders of the submission deadline, as well as some inspiration for your Happiness themed writing. The Zine is supported by the Belfast Harbour Community Awards programme.
Additionally, all appropriate submissions will be published in a digital magazine, as far as resources allow.
Information on how to submit a piece of writing is on their website submissions page