The Literature Wales Writers’ Bursaries enable writers to develop new work without any firm commitment to its publication. This gives writers the opportunity to venture into new territory and develop their artistic process, providing them with the time and resources to research, write, review and reflect.
The Mentoring Scheme offers support and practical advice to writers at the start of their careers by offering them a place on a bespoke mentoring course as well as a series of one-to-one sessions with an experienced writer in order to develop a specific work in progress to a publishable standard.
The schemes are open to emerging and experienced writers alike. Writers who have received support in recent years include: Belinda Bauer, Jonathan Edwards, Mererid Hopwood, Durre Shahwar, Eloise Williams, Rebecca F. John, Paul Henry, Mari George, Kate Hamer and Natalie Holborow. Some of these works have been published, some are still in development, and some have led the writer on a different creative path.
Writers’ Bursaries
Closing Date: 5.00 pm Tuesday 11 September 2018.
The Literature Wales Writers’ Bursaries support writers to develop specific work in progress over a period of 12 months. Writers at all stages of their careers can apply for a bursary, which are awarded first and foremost according to excellence. An independent Panel is responsible for selecting the successful applicants.
“As a full-time writer for thirty years, the Literature Wales New Writer’s Bursary has bought me the gift of time. The financial support has enabled me to have stress-free periods to think about ideas and reject them; to write pieces, leave them and return to them with a far sharper and more self-critical eye.”
– William Gwyn Jones
Writers’ Bursaries are awarded to support writers creating new work in the following genres: novels, short stories, children’s literature, young adult fiction; poetry; graphic novels; creative non-fiction including literary criticism, biography/autobiography.
“The Literature Wales New Writer’s Bursary supports the time and space to write – hugely valuable to a writer setting out on a more ‘public’ writing journey. The Literature Wales Mentoring Scheme bolsters this with the generosity of an established poet proffering their wisdom, insights and experience.
For me, over and above all, the greatest gifts of the New Writer’s Bursary have been the sense of validation and respect it has offered me – for my work and for my ‘voice’.”
– Jemima Roberts
The 2019 Literature Wales Bursaries are now open for applications from new and published writers resident in Wales. Applicants may apply for the following:
Writer’s Bursary: A fixed sum of £3,000.
5 Bursary Awards will be ring-fenced for new and emerging writers who have not yet published a volume of their own work. In addition, 1 Bursary Award will be ring-fenced for a writer under 25 years old.
Support Fund Bursary: A sum of up to £1,000 for writers with mobility problems or disabilities in need of specialist equipment and assistance to enable them to develop their work in progress.
Briony Collins, who was awarded the Under 25 Writer’s Bursary in 2018commented: “My Under 25 Writer’s Bursary brought me validation. I was always younger than everyone in courses and competitions. I felt like I wasn’t as good because I didn’t have the experience they did. Literature Wales proved to me that my voice was just as important, and I must go on writing.”
Mentoring Scheme
Closing Date: 5.00 pm Tuesday 11 September 2018.
Places on the Mentoring Scheme are awarded to new and emerging writers at the start of their writing career, or to more established writers who wish to experiment with genres which are new to them. The Scheme offers support and practical advice to writers, to develop a specific work in progress to a publishable standard. The 2019 Mentoring scheme will begin with a tailored residential week-long course at Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre in February 2019, followed by individual one-to-one mentoring sessions with a mentor during the following months.
William Gwyn Jones, who was awarded a 2018 New Writer’s Bursary, which includes a place on the mentoring scheme commented: “As I begin writing in a second language, and in a genre which is very different to my usual work, the Literature Wales Mentoring Scheme has given me not only support but also the necessary confidence to experiment with my literary voice and to push myself towards new creative directions.”
“My 2018 New Writer’s Bursary has been of great assistance as I write my first novel, and I have also received excellent support from the Mentoring Scheme.”
– Iwan Huws
Since 2004, Literature Wales has awarded over £1.2 million in Writers’ Bursaries, supporting 277 writers across Wales, and generating 143 books and 17 articles.
2018 saw a re-launch of Literature Wales’ established Writer Development schemes, with an increased focus on new and emerging writers and talent development, improved mentoring opportunities, as well as better links to industry professionals. Following the success of the refocused 2018 awards, the 2019 awards will follow the same pattern.
“Following the success of the 2018 awards, Literature Wales is delighted to launch the 2019 Writers’ Bursaries and enhanced Mentoring Scheme. These schemes will specifically foster and develop new writers, as well as continuing to support writers across Wales at every stage of their careers. By encouraging creativity, experimentation and risk-taking, we look forward to a wealth of new writing from Wales.”
– Lleucu Siencyn, Chief Executive of Literature Wales
Literature Wales Writers’ Bursaries are funded by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Wales.
The closing date for applications for 2019 Bursaries and Mentoring is 5.00 pm on Tuesday 11 September 2018.
The guidelines and application forms for the 2019 Literature Wales Writers’ Bursaries and 2019 Mentoring are available to download from the Literature Wales website: Bursaries / Mentoring.
For further information contact Literature Wales on:
post@literaturewales.org / 029 2047 2266