Representing Wales: 2024-2025 Programme Open for Applications
The programme will support a cohort of 14 writers by offering the following:
- A bursary of £3,000
- An additional travel and ticket fund
- 6 online industry-focused virtual workshops of up to two hours each
- 4 creative writing Masterclasses, two of which will be residential weekends at Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre
- 4 Mentoring Sessions of 1-2 hours
- Regular opportunities for the cohort to share creative work and feedback
- Networking opportunities throughout the year
- A bespoke after-care programme post-March 2024
“Representing Wales has been nothing short of life-changing.” – Amy Kitcher, 2022-2023 Cohort Member
The successful writers will be selected by a specialist bilingual independent panel through a careful and detailed assessment process where applications and creative work will be judged based on quality, potential and suitability. The fourth round will officially begin in April 2024 and will run until the end of March 2025.
Representing Wales is a bilingual programme, and Literature Wales welcomes applications from Wales-based writers who write in Welsh and/or English. Writers who are new to writing in Welsh but who are interested in getting started are very welcome, as are writers who enjoy experimenting with both languages in their creative work. Workshops will be delivered in both Welsh and English, and simultaneous interpretation will be offered where required. You can learn more about the bilingual format of the programme in our FAQ section.
Claire Furlong, Literature Wales’ Executive Director says:
“The Representing Wales programme has changed Literature Wales and literature in Wales massively since 2019. The scheme has contributed to a range of successes, such as Hanan Issa becoming our National Poet of Wales, Nia Morais’ recent appointment as Bardd Plant Cymru 2023-25, and Alex Wharton’s appointment as Children’s Laureate Wales 2023-25, among countless published works with many more to come.
In 2022 we widened eligibility to all those who identify as under-represented in the sector gaining greater focus on the variety of experiences and identities which co-exist within Wales, and I am pleased that we can continue with this for the fourth round. With each year the programme strengthens, and we look forward to enhancing and supporting Welsh language representation further, providing opportunities for Welsh speakers to work and share their knowledge with other writers in Wales.
We’re grateful to the continued support of Arts Council Wales which enables this programme to continue, and I personally can’t wait to see more of the participants careers flourish and create a literature scene that truly represents Wales over the coming years.”
To find out more about Literature Wales’ Representation and Equality work, please refer to Literature Wales’ 2022-2025 Strategic Plan.
On reflection of her experience as a writer on Representing Wales, Rhiannon Oliver said:
“The Representing Wales programme is brilliant and already changing how I see myself as a writer. Being a Welsh learner and being part of the programme is really helping me grow confidence in both my poetry and the idea that I can develop a career as a bilingual writer.
Application Support
As part of the application process, writers are asked to submit a sample of their fiction or creative non-fiction work, a selection of their poetry, or a sample of their graphic novel. Where relevant, video submissions of creative work are also encouraged. To find out more about eligible genres, please refer to our FAQs.
Literature Wales is committed to creating an accessible and welcoming application process. If you would like to chat to a member of staff before applying, please email Literature Wales at post@literaturewales.org or call us for an informal chat on 01766 522 811 (Tŷ Newydd Office). Or you can reach out to us on social media.
Literature Wales staff will also be available to answer your questions during two informal drop-in sessions between 6-7pm on Thursday 24 August and Wednesday 20 September 2023. Click on the dates highlighted to get your free ticket through Eventbrite.
Previous Rounds of Representing Wales
The last three rounds of the programme will have seen Literature Wales intensely supporting 40 Wales-based writers to achieve their professional and creative goals. Every round builds on the successes of previous years and the regular feedback received. In addition to this, thorough consultation work with individuals and organisations within the sector is carried out annually.
Following the programme, many of the writers have gone on to find a literary agent, publish and perform their work, and become a literary and creative advocate in their communities.
Hear more about last year’s writers’ experiences by watching the below video:
You can find out more about the impact of the Representing Wales programme by heading to the Testimonies section of the project page.
Individuals from under-represented backgrounds who wish to develop their creative writing skills and who wish to write and create for an adult audience are invited to apply now. Applicants must be over the age of 18 and currently living in Wales. We regret that the programme is not open for students nor employees of Literature Wales and its funders or those who have previously been part of the Representing Wales programme.
For further information about the programme, including guidelines, FAQs and how to apply click here, or contact us: post@literaturewales.org
Deadline for applications: 5.00 pm, Thursday 28 September 2023.
Representing Wales is funded by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Wales and has been developed to improve representation within the literature sector in Wales.