Representing Wales: Announcing the 14 acclaimed writers who will provide mentoring for the 2022-23 cohort
The Mentors, who are some of the most exciting and successful names in Wales’ literary culture and beyond, are Tom Bullough, Rhian Edwards, Niall Griffiths, Philip Gross, Kerry Hudson, Cynan Jones, Patrice Lawrence, Sophie Mackintosh, Rufus Mufasa, Jacob Ross, Peter Scalpello, Katherine Stansfield, Rachel Trezise and Eloise Williams.
Representing Wales is a flagship programme delivered by Literature Wales and funded by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Wales. Developed to improve representation within the sector, the programme aims to help transform the country’s literary culture into one that is truly reflective of Wales’ diverse communities and to establish a pipeline of diverse Welsh talent that will be recognised across the UK and beyond. You can find out more about the flagship programme here.
This is the second year for the programme to run and this time focuses on supporting writers from low-income backgrounds. Further reading on our decision to focus on individuals from low-income backgrounds can be found here.
Building on the success of last year’s programme during which we worked intensely with 12 writers of colour, as well as our decade of experience developing creative talent in Wales, we know mentoring to be a unique and valuable opportunity in a writer’s creative and professional development. Take a look at what the writers had to say about last year’s programme:
The Mentors, who were selected in consultation with the writers, span a range of genres, professional trajectories and locations. Collectively, their works have been published worldwide and featured awards include the Jhalak Prize for Children and Young People, the Prix Femina Étranger, the Waterstones’ Prize for Older Children’s Fiction, the Dylan Thomas Prize, the T.S. Eliot Prize and Wales’ Book of The Year. Their experience, success and creativity will have direct impact on the writers’ development and in turn, the wider literary sector.
Jacob Ross, one of the programme Mentors said:
“I greatly admire Literature Wales’ commitment to discovering and developing the literary talents of its under-represented writers. I embrace the opportunity to work as a mentor on the 2022 Representing Wales programme. I’m looking forward to a mutually fulfilling experience.”
Over the course of the programme, the writers will benefit from editorial support and bespoke career guidance as they work towards achieving their individual aims. Mentors will be on-hand to help refine current creative projects to a publishable standard and will offer direction on navigating the industry, signpost professional opportunities and help widen networks.
You can find out more about the programme’s cohort of writers and their aims here.
Peter Scallpelo, another programme Mentor said:
“I am so glad to be supporting my mentee and find his motivation in his practice to be infectious.”
Literature Wales will follow the development of each mentorship closely and will stay in regular contact with both the Mentors and writers over the course of the year.
For further information on each Mentor, visit their biographies on the Representing Wales page here.