Nws Bursaries 2011 Call for Applications

Nottingham Writers’ Studio is launching a bursaries scheme for 2011, which will provide a package of benefits for the successful applicants, including: one year’s free membership of NWS, a mentoring scheme, a free place on a Nottingham Writers’ Day, and a chance to take part in an NWS reading.

NWS

Nottingham Writers’ Studio is run by and for writers in the city, and now has almost 90 members, spanning all genres of creative and professional writing.

While writing is often a solitary activity pursued at home, the Writers' Studio brings writers together, helps them to network, share skills and experiences, and generate opportunities.

Members benefit from a quiet space to work in the city centre, socials, talks, writing groups, performance opportunities, a regular newsletter, and various other projects that run from time to time.

The Bursaries

There are six bursaries available, worth a total of £265 each. They comprise:

• NWS membership for one year (normally £50).
• A mentoring scheme, with two one-to-one sessions with a writer chosen to suit your needs, and one group mentoring session. The one-to-ones could be based around developing your writing, or help with broader issues such as getting your work published or produced.
• A place on a Nottingham Writers’ Day of your choice (normally £75+ for non-members).
• A chance to take part in an NWS live literature event, such as Word of Mouth or a festival reading.

Who can apply?

The bursaries are aimed at emerging writers in any genre (creative writing or journalism and non-fiction) who:

• are committed to developing and disseminating their writing, whether through publication, broadcasting, or performance;
• show potential of developing high-quality work;
• find the membership fee a barrier to joining NWS;
• have limited access to professional development opportunities.

Preference will be given to applicants who can benefit most from a bursary and who face the highest barriers to accessing professional development, networking, and workspace resources.

RESTRICTIONS The bursaries are not available to current members of NWS or former members whose membership expired after 1 October 2010. Applicants must be aged 18 or over on 1 January 2011 and must live, work, or study (or have done so in the past) in Nottingham.

How to apply

If you would like to apply for an NWS bursary, please fill in the application form and return it, along with a sample of your work (not more than 10 A4 pages, font size 12 or larger), to:

Robin Vaughan-Williams
Development Director
Nottingham Writers’ Studio
49 Stoney Street
Sutton Place Business Centre
Nottingham
NW1 1LX

or by email to admin@nottinghamwritersstudio.co.uk. If submitting by email, please send two separate files, your application form in one, and your writing sample in the other.

If you have any queries, please either write to Robin at the email address given or call 0115 959 7947.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 5pm on Wednesday 23 February 2011. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications by Wednesday 9 March 2011, and the bursaries will begin in mid-March.