If you have any questions about Representing Wales, please read through our FAQs below.
If you can’t see the answer to your question, 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.
This document is available as a download and is available in large print and dyslexia friendly formats over on our Downloads page.
To apply for a place on the Representing Wales programme, you’ll need to submit:
The application form will ask for your personal details, including details which will help us assess eligibility, and information about your career as a writer so far. We’ll also ask about your ambitions as a writer and why you believe the Representing Wales programme could help you at the current stage of your writing career.
The application form will ask you to upload one of the following options:
–4-8 poems;
OR
-A chapter of your creative non-fiction manuscript, that you wish to develop in this programme (max 2,000 words) OR
-A chapter of your fiction manuscript, that you wish to develop in this programme (max 2,000 words) OR
-if your work in progress is performative, we ask that you please note this within your uploaded document. Alternatively, we welcome video submissions of creative work which can be sent via a WeTransfer link to post@literaturewales.org.
– if your work in progress is a graphic novel, we suggest that you upload a summary of the story (synopsis) with your application and email a sample of completed storyboard pages (with text and illustrations) to post@literaturewales.org
For the 2024-25 programme, we welcome creative writing submissions aimed at an adult audience.
This includes the following genres:
If you are unsure whether your creative work is eligible or not, please contact us on post@literaturewales.org to chat with a member of staff.
Literature Wales is committed to providing development opportunities for underrepresented writers who work in a variety of genres. Having focused on children and young people’s literature during the 2023-24 programme, the 2024-25 programme will see Literature Wales support the development of those writing and creating work for the adult market.
If you write for younger audiences, it’s worth knowing that you may access certain sessions of the 2022/23 programme which focuses on developing writers for Children and Young Adults, as part of Representing Wales’ free online public sessions.
If your work-in-progress is a graphic novel, we suggest sending a summary of the story and a sample of completed storyboard pages (with text and illustration) by email to post@literaturewales.org.
If you are a spoken word artist and would prefer to send a video performance of your original creative work, we ask that you please send a WeTransfer link to post@literaturewales.org.
Please note that alongside these email submissions of your creative work, you will also need to complete and submit an application form.
The closing date for applications for the 2024-25 Representing Wales programme is: 5.00pm Thursday 28 September 2023
We are committed to helping to nurture a literary culture that truly represents the diversity of our population in Wales.
This year, we will be welcoming applications from Wales-based writers who come from under-represented backgrounds. We are particularly looking to support writers who identify as one or several of the following:
– Deaf and/or hard of hearing
–From a low-income background*
*Our criteria for low-income background include individuals who were eligible for free school meals or whose parents were in low-paid jobs, unemployed, or receiving benefits (including disability allowances) when applicants were 14 years old. Raw socio-economic data (incl. SEC assessment and self-assessment) is collected from applicants to determine eligibility for this programme.
-Belonging to the Gypsy, Roma and/or Traveller communities
–LGBTQIA+
–Neurodiverse*
*This includes, but is not limited to: Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette Syndrome and OCD.
– Individuals from Black, Asian or ethnic minority backgrounds
– Individuals who identify as disabled or who have a long-term health condition
* i.e., has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months and has an adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
–
We appreciate that there are other individuals and communities without adequate representation in the literature sector, and there will be writers who don’t identify with the categories above. There will be an opportunity for applicants to explain in their own words why they believe they are eligible to apply.
Applicants must be over the age of 18 and must be resident in Wales at the time of application and throughout the 12-month programme.
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.
If you are unsure whether you are eligible or not, please contact us on post@literaturewales.org to chat with a member of staff.
Please get in touch with us on post@literaturewales.org to discuss your situation with a member of the Literature Wales team.
No, only an example of your best unpublished creative writing for adults, that you would like to develop during the programme. We welcome applications from those new to the world of writing, or those who may have started on their journey and need support to reach the next level. The Assessment Panel will be looking at applicants’ potential, ambition, and originality.
This opportunity is mainly for new, early career, and mid-career writers.
However, as a more experienced writer you might 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 early or mid-career is, and where they believe themselves to be on their journey as a writer. If you are unsure if this is the right programme for you at this stage of your writing career, please get in touch to discuss your journey.
Representing Wales is a bilingual programme, and we welcome 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.
All events will be delivered through the medium of English or Welsh, depending on the language preference of the cohort. Simultaneous interpretation will be on offer where required.
If you write creatively in any other language, we will try and assist by pairing you with a suitable Mentor who is also fluent in that language.
Please note that we can only assess creative writing examples submitted for the application process in Welsh or English. If you submit original creative work in another language, you will also need to submit a translation of the work into Welsh or English.
Yes, you can – we want the programme to be open to as many eligible writers as possible.
Your application will be assessed by an independent panel of experts who will assess:
and freshness of ideas and voice outlined in your work.
Profile Screening
Every application will be checked by the Literature Wales team to ensure that the writer is eligible for the programme.
Please note the information provided in your application is confidential and will be used for internal assessment purposes only.
The Panel Chair will sift the eligible applications and select a shortlist for the full Assessment Panel to consider.
The Assessment Panel will assess all shortlisted applications separately and award a mark to each applicant against set criteria looking at the potential and quality of your submitted creative writing excerpt, as well as the suitability of this programme for the needs you have articulated. The final decision will take place during a Panel meeting where the 14 successful writers will be selected.
Our remit as a bilingual, national organisation commits us to make sure that a range of writers can access our opportunities. The Assessment Panel may also consider linguistic and geographical balance, and representation when selecting applicants.
The Assessment Panel is made up of four individuals who have expertise in a variety of creative genres and the publishing industry in Wales and beyond.
There are 14 places available on the 2024-25 Representing Wales programme.
As we are expecting a high number of applications, we may not be able to provide detailed feedback for each applicant. However, we are committed to providing a short, personalised line of feedback to each applicant and where relevant, advise on other opportunities Literature Wales and partners may have available.
We are aware that correspondence regarding unsuccessful applications can have a negative impact on your health and well-being. We give our pledge to respect and value each individual application, giving it due consideration and attention.
All applicants will be invited to a free online session in April 2024, and are welcome to join any of our free public online sessions which are part of the programme.
Literature Wales is committed to facilitating a thorough, caring, and detailed assessment process. In order to ensure that the assessment panel have enough time to review every application and assess the creative works, and for Literature Wales staff to provide helpful feedback and signposting, we expect that all applicants will be informed of the Assessment Panel’s decision by the end of February 2024.
Representing Wales is a 12-month programme which aims to help writers achieve their long-term ambitions. Each year, we provide a bespoke development programme to writers who are under-represented in Wales’ literary culture.
The programme includes:
Successful applicants will have the opportunity to co-create elements of the programme with the Literature Wales team, by suggesting speakers, tutors and themes during their onboarding meetings.
Absolutely. We will work alongside the cohort to identify convenient times and dates for all.
Most of the activities will be delivered virtually in the evenings or weekends. All sessions are recorded and shared in confidence with the cohort. We’ll expect every member of the cohort to attend all events, but if something urgent prevents a writer from attending, these recordings will be available to watch later. The team at Literature Wales are always on hand to support the writers and help ensure that all members of the cohort benefit from the programme.
We estimate that we will organise activities and set tasks that will require between 10-12 whole days of your time during the year, but many of these events will be scheduled to avoid interfering with office hours. It’s up to you how many extra hours you will then be able to allocate towards developing your own creative writing projects during the year.
The Programme will take place over 12 months from the beginning of At least one event per month will take place.
Programme participants will schedule one-to-one sessions with their personal Mentor to meet face-to-face (If the mentor lives close by) or virtually.
After the 12-month programme, we will continue to offer support to the cohort by checking in, offering advice, and inviting the writers to further networking and training opportunities. This is a long-term investment in the writers’ development.
Most of the programme’s core activity (e.g., workshops, writing rooms) will be delivered online to ensure everybody can attend, regardless of their location. The programme will also include two residential weekend masterclasses at Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre – our national writing centre.
You’ll have access to a ticket budget to spend on travel to Tŷ Newydd, and on tickets for additional courses, literary events and festivals of your choice.
Of course. The Literature Wales team are available to discuss any concerns and requirements before and throughout the programme. Please get in touch with us. An Access Fund is available to enable full participation in events for writers with disabilities or illnesses who may have additional access requirements.
For information about accessibility at the Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre, please click here.
We will work with you to set achievable goals at the beginning of the programme, and help you achieve them. One of your aims should be related to developing your current work in progress during the programme. The quarterly writing rooms will give you the chance to share your work with the cohort and you may wish to use these informal meetings as a personal goal to produce work each month. There will also be an opportunity to check in and catch up with a Literature Wales staff member each quarter, to discuss your progress.
Our website provides information about the opportunities we have available to help writers develop their craft and careers. Alternatively, please contact us to discuss your individual needs. Where possible, we will signpost writers to other opportunities within the literature sector.
