Call for Writers – CONGRATS to those that made it!
Here’s an update on the Call for Writers for the Crossing Borders project advertised on this site in May – the winners have been announced – CONGRATS! and we await your published writing with glee… To those who didnt make it or who would like to give it a bash next time – keep on writing, believe in yourselves and watch this space!
The British Council and Lancaster University …
are ready to embark on their cross-cultural distance-learning project for South African and Botswana writers – “Crossing Borders”. Fifteen writers have been selected to participate after a gruelling selection process. The panel of experts – Prof David Medalie, Tembeka Mbobo and Dr Karen Lazar – worked their way through a hundred and twenty submissions to make their final decision.
The writers are: Maren Bodenstein (Mpumalanga); Phillippa Yaa de Villiers-Venter (Gauteng); Tjawangwa Dema (Botswana); Angifi Proctor Dladla (Gauteng); Vuyolwethu Fatman (Gauteng); Greg Fried (Western Cape); Megan Hall (Western Cape); Colleen Higgs (Western Cape); Nosipho Kota (Eastern Cape); Maserame Madingwane (Gauteng); Gina Maynard (Gauteng); Sonwabile Mfecane (Eastern Cape); Wame Molefhe (Botswana); Zachariah Rapola (Gauteng) and Renos Spanoudes (Gauteng).
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MAY 2005
Have you got some prose, poetry, fiction or a children’s story tucked away waiting to be told…HAve you already told them and received great responses? Do you want to take your craft to a new level? Well best you get typing – the British Council and Lancaster are calling for applications from writers throughout Africa to enter their CROSSING BORDERS project.
Entries close on the 16 May – The successful writers will be selected by a panel of experts who will screen the submissions. Those chosen to participate will receive a 1-day induction and thereafter will complete a series of assignments over a 9-month period.
“Crossing Borders” promotes cross-cultural dialogue between writers working in English and experienced UK-based mentors. This is facilitated through dedicated on-line information technology facilities, which assists in opening up a shared creative and cultural space. Each writer on the programme is linked to a professional UK writer and they communicate through e-mail exchange. The participants receive personal and specific attention from their mentors.
Their mentors will analyse, discuss and suggest strategies for revision with them. Participants will explore a range of new reading, engage critically with aspects of the writing process and develop a portfolio of new writing. The programme ends with a series of “live” writing workshops and public readings attended by participants and a visiting UK writer. A website also supports the programme: CROSSING BORDERS
In order to apply, writers must:
be over 18 years of age
be experienced and have a portfolio of original work: poetry, prose fiction or writing for children
have an excellent standard of written English
have a strong commitment to developing their own work and that of other writers, through participating in creative writing networks
be able to dedicate time to complete six writing assignments by agreed deadlines and fully engage in the mentoring exchanges
be able to access e-mail facilities on a regular basis
be a SA citizen
Applicants must submit: a letter of interest (up to 2 pages) saying which literary form (poetry, prose fiction or writing for children) they wish to write in and why they would benefit from participating in the programme; a 1-page CV with name, age, gender, contact details and details of any publications; either 3 poems or 3 sides of A4 prose writing (story or novel extract).
All of the above must be typed and submitted preferably via e-mail to:
THORA by no later than Monday May 16, 2005.
Alternatively, submissions can be faxed to:
011 718 4400 (Attention: Thora Jacobs) or posted to The British Council, Attention: Thora Jacobs, Ground Floor, Forum 1, Braampark, 33 Hoofd Street, Braamfontein, JHB, 2001.
Please note: Hand written submissions, those that exceed the requirements above, or those that arrive after May 16, will not be accepted. Submissions will not be returned and only SUCCESSFUL applicants will be informed. The panellists’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
REPRESENT WISHES YOU ALL THE BEST!!!
