We are mainly looking for emerging and mid-career writers who are looking to seriously build a career pathway for themselves This intensive programme is designed to help you develop the toolkit you need to start, and continue on your journey as a writer. 

If you are already an experienced writer, for example you might have published your own pamphlet or a book, you might still find that there are barriers which prevent you from reaching your full potential, or you might want to experiment with a different literary form or language. Everyone will have a different definition of what experience means, and where they believe themselves to be on their journey as a writer. The assessment panel is eager to know how you believe the programme could support you at this precise moment of your career.  

The assessment panel will include members of the Hay Festival and Literature Wales team, and Tiffany Murray – the curator and leader of the programme. We will be looking for innovation, passion, and a clear focus in terms of your ambitions and aspiration as a writer. 

The assessment will focus on bringing together a diverse and representative group of writers in terms of geography, writing experience, languages, and any lived experience noted in the application that will present a new perspective to Welsh writing. Short listed applicants will be invited to attend an informal short online interview.  

We will contact all applicants in the week beginning 6 April 2026.  

Applicants must provide evidence of publication in print and/or digital formats. Accepted genres are fiction, non-fiction, and poetry (written and/or performed). Publications may include contributions to anthologies or literary magazines, or an independently published title. 

Please note that this programme is not intended for stage or screen scriptwriters. 

The programme will be an intense immersion in professional writer development and will start in the afternoon of Friday 22nd May on site at the Festival and come to an end on Sunday afternoon 31 May 2026. Each day will be different, and will feature talks, workshops, visits to the Festival events, evening events, and more.  

You will be expected to attend all Writers at Work programmed events throughout the day. This is an intensive programme which depends upon the group working together and supporting each other. The Hay Festival and Literature Wales teams are available to discuss any concerns and requirements relating to this before and throughout the programme.  Further information on the structure and content of the week will be provided as soon as possible beforehand. 

You will meet several guest readers, speakers, facilitators and industry representatives during the week formally and informally. Whilst you will have structured writing exercises from some writers during the programme, the fast-paced nature of Writers at Work will not leave much time for you to spend on developing your work in progress. We trust that you will leave with a toolkit, the ideas and the enthusiasm to continue with your personal writing projects after the festival ends. 

You will receive all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on the Festival site in the crew catering facility. There will be provision for those with food allergies and/or dietary requirements.

Coffee, tea and other drinks will be available throughout the day. Please note you will have to pay for any other food or drink purchased outside of crew catering, workshop or Green Room facilities.  

We will reimburse out of pocket expenses for one, standard class, return journey to the Festival from within the UK. 

This includes: 

• Standard Return Rail Fare
• Coach or Bus Return Fares
• Mileage @ 45p per mile

Expenses could be a combination of the above i.e. a train and bus ticket. We can purchase tickets in advance for you, otherwise please retain a receipt, or complete a form for mileage and your travel costs will be reimbursed when you arrive at the Festival. 

Participants will be allocated accommodation in houses in Hay on Wye or the surrounding area, depending on availability.

The accommodation will be single occupancy rooms in shared houses with other Writers at Work participants, unfortunately we are unable to accommodate family or friends during the residency or guarantee ensuite rooms due to the scarcity of rooms available.  

Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we will receive, we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants. However, with your permission as outlined in the application form GDPR Consent section, Hay Festival and Literature Wales may contact you again to mention further opportunities.

The programme welcomes writers writing in English, Welsh and other languages. However the majority of the programme itself will be delivered through the medium of English.  

The Hay Festival and Literature Wales teams are available to discuss any concerns and requirements before and throughout the programme. The Festival site is fully accessible for wheelchair users and performance venues are fitted with induction loops. Guide dogs are permitted. Please contact us to discuss accessibility, and we will invite all successful writers to send an Access Rider in advance of the Festival week.