The University of Winchester Writers' Festival (14-16 June) is offering two scholarships this year, one for a writer of YA or middle grade fiction from an under-represented background, and the other for a writer aged 18-25 to attend this year's event.
The scholarships are sponsored by Hampshire-based Lindsay Literary Agency and past Festival attendee, Monica Wood. Both scholarships offer a package which covers the cost of three days at the Festival, including access to all workshops and talks, a seat at the keynote address by novelist Katherine Rundell and four one-to-one appointments with industry experts, as well as all meals, accommodation and £100 towards travel expenses.
The Lindsay Literary Agency launched its sponsorship of a fully-funded place at the Winchester Writers' Festival last year and will be offering the same opportunity in 2019. The scholarship is awarded to a children's fiction writer (YA or middle grade), of any age, who lives in the UK or Ireland and comes from an under-represented background.
The scholarship recognises all diverse experiences, including (but not limited to) LGBTQIA, BAME, gender diversity, people with disabilities, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities. Applicants are asked to self-identify with regard to their under-represented background. Applicants can be unpublished or self-published but must be un-agented. Each submission will be judged solely on the work submitted and its potential, together with the statement supplied.
An additional scholarship place is being offered thanks to the generosity of past Festival attendee, Monica Wood. Her scholarship offers young writers between the ages of 18 and 25 the opportunity to attend the Festival on a full weekend package.
Alongside the two scholarships, the Winchester Writers' Festival Bursary Fund has a number of £50 bursaries available for writers experiencing financial difficulties.
"We are grateful to Becky Bagnell of Lindsay Literary and Monica Wood for giving this chance to two people who might otherwise be unable to attend the Festival," said Festival Director, Sara Gangai.
"We also thank the attendees who generously donate to the Bursary Fund when they book and who lend a 'helping hand' to other writers. It is wonderful to be part of the Festival's supportive and inclusive community and we look forward to welcoming all our attendees to the University of Winchester in June."
Information on how to to apply for both the Lindsay Literary Scholarship and the Monica Wood Scholarship, as well as the Winchester Writers' Festival Bursary Fund, is available on the Festival website or from Festival director Sara Gangai by email: sara.gangai@winchester.ac.uk
The deadline for the Lindsay Literary Scholarship is Monday 4 March 2019, the Monica Wood Scholarship Friday 15 March 2019 and the Winchester Writers' Festival Bursary Fund Friday 10 May 2019.
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