Literature Wales Funding for Writers Scheme Now Open
“It bought me time to think. To dream. To write and really play around with words. But not only that. It bought me belief. Belief that I could actually have a career as an author.
- Eloise Williams, 2015 Writer’s Bursary Recipient
Literature Wales has announced that the next round of Writers’ Bursaries and Mentoring is now open for submission.
This marks a re-launch of Literature Wales’ established Writer Development schemes, with an increased focus on new and emerging writers, improved mentoring opportunities, as well as better links to industry professionals. Jonathan Edwards, who received a New Writer’s Bursary in 2011, said “That opportunity for an extended immersion in poetry, reading, writing and thinking, and not having to worry about any distractions, was crucial to my development.”
Changes to the Bursaries and Mentoring schemes have been made following a series of consultations with writers and members of the public throughout 2016 via focus groups, one-one-one meetings, as well as public questionnaires.
Literature Wales has taken on board the results of this consultation and some of the new developments include:
- Ring-fence 5 Bursaries Awards for new/emerging writers (unpublished)
- Ring-fence 1 Bursary Award for a writer under 25
- Introduce new 3-year gap rule between Bursary awards
- A writer can receive no more than 3 Bursary awards in total (from 2018 onwards)
- Each Bursary recipient to receive fixed sum of £3,000 per writer
- Two networking events with industry professionals are included as part of Bursary awards
- Increase mentoring places from 4 to 10
- Mentoring scheme to start with week-long residential course at Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre
Funded by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Wales, Literature Wales Writers’ Bursaries enable writers to focus on developing a specific work in progress across a twelve month period. Lleucu Roberts, who received a Bursary in 2012, said that it gave her “the opportunity to write what I wanted to write, for myself and no one else, whatever resulted from this work.”
Writers’ Bursaries are awarded to support writers creating new work in the following genres: novels, short stories, children’s literature, young adult fiction; poetry; graphic novels; creative non-fiction including literary criticism, biography/autobiography. Writers at all stages of their careers can apply for a bursary, which are awarded first and foremost according to excellence. An independent Panel is responsible for selecting the successful applicants.
Writers’ Bursaries are awarded annually. Since 2004, Literature Wales has awarded over £1.2 million in Writers’ Bursaries, supporting 259 writers across Wales, and generating 126 books and 16 articles.
2015 Bursary recipient Vanessa Savage said: “Finding time to write while running a business and raising a family has always been an issue – being awarded a Literature Wales Writers’ Bursary for The Murder House enabled me to finish a first draft. Having all that time to write full-time was a dream come true and it was instrumental in giving me the confidence to finish the book. I went on to work with literary agent Juliet Mushens of Caskie Mushens and The Murder House has just been bought by Little, Brown as part of a two book deal and will be published as a lead title by Sphere in early 2019.”
2015 Bursary recipient Ifan Morgan Jones said: “My Literature Wales Writer’s Bursary was invaluable. It meant that I could finish my novel, Dadeni. Without it I couldn’t have taken time off work to complete the novel, and it wouldn’t have seen the light of day. Literature Wales made sure that the process was a smooth one and it was a delight to work with their professional staff. I encourage my fellow-authors to make the most of the opportunities that a Literature Wales Writer’s Bursary can offer.”
The 2018 Literature Wales Bursaries are now open for applications from new and published writers resident in Wales. Applicants may apply for a Writer’s Bursary, or a Support Fund Bursary. Support Fund Bursaries are available for writers with mobility problems or disabilities in need of specialist equipment and assistance. Applicants for the Support Fund may apply for up to £2,000 for assistance to enable them to develop their work in progress.
In a new development for 2018, there will be up to 20 fixed-sum Writers’ Bursaries awards of £3,000 per writer. Certain awards are ring-fenced, to encourage and develop new and emerging writers. 5 Bursary Awards will be ring-fenced for new and emerging writers who have not yet published a volume of their own work. In addition, 1 Bursary Award will be ring-fenced for a writer under 25 years old.
In addition, Literature Wales’ Mentoring Scheme for Writers has been extended. Places on the scheme are awarded to new and emerging writers at the start of their writing career. The Scheme offers support and practical advice to writers, to develop a specific work in progress to a publishable standard. The enhanced 2018 Mentoring scheme will begin with a tailored residential week-long course at Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre in February 2018, followed by individual one-to-one mentoring sessions with a mentor during the following months.
Literature Wales Chief Executive, Lleucu Siencyn, said: “We are pleased that the Bursaries and Mentoring Scheme will continue to be generously supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Wales. Following our consultation with writers, Literature Wales is delighted to launch the 2018 Writers’ Bursaries and enhanced Mentoring Scheme. These schemes will specifically foster and develop new writers, as well as continuing to support writers across Wales at every stage of their careers. Through encouraging creativity, experimentation and risk-taking, we look forward to a wealth of new writing from Wales.”
Phil George, Chair of Arts Council of Wales added: "Arts Council of Wales is delighted to continue investing in literary talent. Supporting and rewarding talent is at the heart of what we believe in and these bursaries provide a great example of how together we can support literary flair and bring its power and energy to wider and wider audiences."
The closing date for 2018 applications for Bursaries and Mentoring is 5.00 pm on Wednesday 16 August 2017.
The guidelines and application forms for the 2018 Literature Wales Writers’ Bursaries and 2018 Mentoring are available to download from the Literature Wales website.
For further information contact Literature Wales on: post@literaturewales.org / 029 2047 2266.
Information on Literature Wales
· Literature Wales is the national company for the development of literature in Wales. It believes that literature belongs to everybody and can be found everywhere. The company’s various projects and activities includes Wales Book of the Year, National Poet of Wales, Bardd Plant Cymru and Young People’s Laureate Wales, Literary Tourism activities, Writers on Tour funding scheme, creative writing courses at Tŷ Newydd, Services for Writers (including Writers’ Bursaries and Mentoring), and Young People’s Writing Squads.
· Literature Wales is a registered charity, (number 1146560) and works with the support of Arts Council of Wales and Welsh Government. Lleucu Siencyn is the Chief Executive.
· Website: www.llenyddiaethcymru.org / www.literaturewales.org
· Twitter: @LlenCymru / @LitWales
· Facebook: www.facebook.com/LlenCymruLitWales
· Literature Wales, Glyn Jones Centre, Wales Millennium Centre, Bute Place, Cardiff, CF10 5AL
Writers’ Bursaries
· Writers’ Bursaries are awarded to support writers creating new work in the following genres: Prose, including novels, short stories, children’s literature, young adult fiction; poetry; graphic novels; creative non-fiction including literary criticism, biography/autobiography.
· Applicants should apply for a fixed-sum Writer’s Bursary of £3,000. Applicants will need to demonstrate why that particular sum is required to complete the work in progress. Support Fund Bursaries available up to £2,000. Applicants must be resident in Wales throughout the year.
· Closing date: Wednesday 16 August 2017.
- Literature Wales Writers’ Bursaries 2018 and the Mentoring Scheme are supported by The National Lottery through the Arts Council of Wales.
- Literature Wales Writers’ Bursaries are awarded annually and full details are available at www.literaturewales.org
- Since 2004, Literature Wales has awarded Writers’ Bursaries worth a total of £1,210,020
- 1711 applications have been received
- 313 Bursaries awarded to date.
- 259 writers supported.
- * 126 books and 16 articles published to date, with the support of Bursaries. * This figure is subject to change, and is revised regularly.
Literature Wales Bursaries Panel 2017-18: Sioned Williams (Chair), Malachy Doyle, Julia Forster, Ceri Wyn Jones and Catherine Phelps
