Courses, contests and publishing opportunities for writers
Explore Resources➔Pennacle Writers Academy
This is a year-round exclusive membership program designed to build you up in the craft and business of writing.
- Find your voice, improve your creative writing skills, and master the art of storytelling.
- Monetize your writing skills, learn how to serve clients and brands effectively, and set up and scale a successful freelance writing business.
- Learn the professional and strategic side of being a writer, beyond simply creating content.
What You'll Get in the Academy
Why Join the Academy?
Master your craft and gain confidence in your skills
Learn the strategies top writers use to earn, publish, and succeed
Build a portfolio and practical skills that open doors to real opportunities
This Academy is for Writers who
- Are looking to publish a book
- Seek to improve their writing quality, monetize their skills, write commercially, earn higher rates, and attract more clients
- Seek to master their creative writing skills and become excellent storytellers
- Struggle with blocks, consistency, or project delivery
Why use our resources?
- Save time with ready-to-use templates
- Improve your writing process with structured guides
- Learn industry standards for submissions
- Overcome writer's block with proven exercises
Resources & Tools
Equip yourself with the tools you need to succeed. Our library of resources is designed to help you streamline your writing process, improve your craft, and navigate the publishing industry.
From downloadable templates to in-depth guides, we provide everything you need to turn your ideas into polished manuscripts.
Key Resources Include:
The Editor's Checklist
A comprehensive guide to self-editing before submission.
Character Profiles
Worksheets to build multidimensional characters.
Plot Blueprints
Templates for outlining compelling narratives.
Pitch Templates
Proven formats for pitching to agents and publishers.
Manuscript Coaching
"Get personalized guidance from industry professionals to take your manuscript from a rough draft to a polished masterpiece."
Our coaching sessions are designed to identify your unique voice and strengthen your narrative structure.
Whether you're struggling with character arcs, pacing, or world-building, our coaches provide the targeted feedback you need.
Coaching Benefits
Personalized Feedback
Detailed line-edits and structural feedback.
Accountability
Weekly check-ins to ensure you meet your writing goals.
Industry Insight
Guidance on market trends and reader expectations.
Direct Access
1-on-1 sessions with experienced editors.
Why Join This Class
Turn incomplete drafts or vague ideas into finished, high-quality manuscripts
Get personal, actionable support from experienced authors and editors
Learn strategies that help your stories sell better than the rest
Gain confidence to publish and position your work for success
Contests & Anthologies
Challenge yourself, get published, and join our growing library of exceptional voices.
Pen on Fire (POF)
Our flagship creative writing contest designed to discover, refine, and publish the best emerging African writers. Participants undergo rigorous workshops before competing for cash prizes and a spot in our annual anthology.
Intensive Workshops
Transform your manuscript with guided exercises.
Industry Judges
Get evaluated by publishing professionals.
Cash Prizes
Win monetary rewards for your exceptional work.
Our Track Record
Since 2020, POF has received thousands of submissions, trained hundreds of writers, and published multiple award-winning anthologies.
Many of our alumni have gone on to sign traditional publishing deals and win international awards.
The Literesque Prize
(Formerly Pennacle's Prize for Good Literature)
The Literesque Prize is open to new and unpublished writers in poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction. It exists to discover fresh voices and elevate work that deserves recognition.
Open Categories
Poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction
Publication Opportunity
Winning pieces are published in the January - June Literesque Magazine issue
Judging Process
Entries are read blind by category editors, shortlisted anonymously, and judged blindly in a second round to ensure fairness and integrity
The Readers Hub
A sanctuary for lovers of literature
Dive into a rich repository of essays, short stories, and articles crafted by our brilliant community.
The Readers Hub is where words come alive. Explore diverse genres, gain fresh perspectives, and immerse yourself in compelling narratives.
The Anthology
Explore our collection of published works from past POF winners.
Writing Tips
Actionable advice and techniques to improve your craft immediately.
Author Spotlights
Interviews and success stories from writers in our community.