Our Free Development Opportunity for Fiction Writers Begins

Published Mon 24 Nov 2025 - By Literature Wales

This week at Ty Newydd Writing Centre, we’re welcoming a group of writers who will attend our free 5-day writing fiction residency. They have been selected following an open call-out in August.

Fiction has the power to shape how we see and experience the world, offering authors and readers a way to explore complex societal and ethical questions. It opens doors to new perspectives and fosters empathy.

Our call-out invited under-represented Welsh authors to apply for a fully-funded residential course to develop their skills, gain insight into the industry, and provide a safe space where they can build a network with like-minded individuals.

The writers who have been selected to attend the retreat are: Kaja Brown, Jason Davies-Redgrave, Pete Evans, Amy Grandvoinet, Soma Ghosh, Shazz Jamieson-Evans, Mason Lloyd, Holly Müller, Theo Malings, Naomi Pearce, Matt Roberts, A Saldanha and Anest Williams.

You can visit the Writing Fiction page to find out more about them.The week-long residency will be tutored by Francesca Reece and Anthony Shapland who will run workshops on how to incorporate lived experience in your writing, world building and how to steer a story. A variety of industry speakers will feature throughout the week including representatives from Folding Rock, Granta Magazine, Stinging Fly, The Rhys Davies Short Story Prize and The Dylan Thomas Prize. The group will also enjoy a session with Local Fires author, Joshua Jones.

The week will culminate in a celebratory evening of performances by the group. Following the course, Literature Wales will continue to support the cohort to reach their ambitions and goals in performance and publishing.

To find out more about Literature Wales’ development opportunities for writers, head over to our I am a Writer page. Writers may also be interested in our Writer Development Programme of free virtual talks.

We’re grateful to our funders who have made this opportunity possible: The National Lottery through the Arts Council of Wales and The Fenton Arts Trust.