UK RESIDENCY OPPORTUNITY FOR AN INTERNATIONAL SHORT STORY WRITER

Britsh Council is providing an opportunity for a non-UK based writer to spend up to one week as a Writer in Residence at this year’s Small Wonder Short Story Festival, which runs from 28 September – 2 October 2016 in the UK, Charleston, East Sussex.

What’s included in the residency:

• Entrance to the entire Small Wonder programme of around 16 mainstream sessions plus fringe events and workshops
• All local travel, meals, per diems, hospitality
• £250 stipend paid to the writer directly
• Mentoring from a UK literary professional after the Festival

Additional costs not covered by the programme:
• International flights
• Visas
• Travel insurance
• Half board accommodation, very close to Charleston (estimated £100 per night B&B)

Expectations

By the end of the residency we would like the writer to create a short piece of work in any genre which in some way responds to the festival and / or its setting at Charleston. Rights will remain with the writer, but the work will be available for Charleston / British Council to use in its promotional literature, websites and social media platforms. Translation would be provided if necessary.

APPLICATIONS AND SELECTION

Applications and expressions of interest should be sent in English to Rebecca Hart, (Rebecca.Hart@britishcouncil.org) Senior Programme Manager Literature, British Council London by 6 May 2016.

Please submit:
• Biography (no more than 400 words)
• Letter of application which should address the following questions (in no more than 800 words):
o Why are you applying for this residency and how will it benefit your work?
o What are you particularly interested in exploring as part of the residency? (please describe any specific themes, new connections, research that you are keen to undertake)
o Do you have any current connections to UK short story writers, festivals or publishers?
o Have you taken part in any other professional international creative writing residencies before?
• Confirm that you are available during the entire period 28 September – 2 October 2016 and that you will be able to access funding to cover your flights, visa and accommodation.
• Provide the name, position and email address of a reference who we may contact during the selection process.

Selection will be a competitive process, based on letters of application. Final decisions will be made by a committee comprised of British Council and Small Wonder representatives. Priority will be given to applications which demonstrate the greatest impact to the writer and their work.

British Council Equal Opportunity and Diversity Statement
The British Council is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and is keen to reflect the diversity of UK society at every level within the organisation. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and will make suitable accommodations for applicants with a disability.

For more information please contact