Services
Academi Writers’ Bursaries 2004 Press Release
The Pen Gets Mightier
AWARDS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR WRITERS IN WALES
From 1 April 2003, the Academi, the Welsh National Promotion Agency and Society for Writers, has taken charge of a new range of services which were formerly delivered by the Arts Council of Wales (ACW). Following its recent restructuring, most of ACW’s literature provision has been transferred to either the Academi (services to writers) or the Welsh Books Council (grants to publishers). Adding to the services already offered, this now makes Academi the perfect one-stop-shop for writers living in Wales.
With immediate effect, the Academi will be administering a range of funds aimed at offering financial support to writers under its Writers’ Bursaries service. Five different kinds of awards are available, covering everything from buying time-out from the daily treadmill to buying specialised equipment for the disabled writer, or perhaps assisting with the travel needed for some vital research. In addition, the Irma Chilton Bursary will continue to be available to outstanding writers for young people. The first round of bursary decisions will be made in December 2003, for bursaries awarded from January 2004. The closing date for applications is 30th October 2003
As well as financial support to writers, the Academi will be able to offer support on a practical level. There will be schemes offering advice and mentoring to writers of all levels in Wales under the Writers’ Critical Service and the Writers’ Mentoring scheme. Academi can help match aspiring writers with established experts, or offer advice on redrafting and other issues such as copyright, manuscript preparation and publication.
In addition, with effect from 2004, the Academi will be running and staging the prestigious Wales Book of the Year prize which is awarded for the nation’s two best books: one in Welsh, one in English. Past winners include Stevie Davies, Bernice Rubens, Owen Martell, Grahame Davies, Gwyneth Lewis and Stephen Knight. This year’s winners are announced at the Hay Festival in May.
Please contact the Academi for further information on any of the above.
The Academi
Chief Executive Peter Finch
Mount Stuart House
Mount Stuart Square
Cardiff CF10 5FQ
tel: 029 2047 2266
fax: 029 2049 2930
post@academi.org
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The five types of bursaries offered are:
1. New Writers’ Bursaries - awarded to writers who have not previously published a volume of their work. Maximum award: £10,000
2. Published Writers’ Bursaries - for writers who have already published a volume or more of work. Maximum award: £10,000
3. The Irma Chilton Bursary - set up to commemorate the author’s contribution to children’s literature. It is intended for writers for children and young people in Welsh and English. Maximum award: £10,000
4. Bursaries for Disabled Writers - awarded, for example:
i. to purchase specialise equipment
ii. to assist with particular travel costs
iii. towards secretarial assistance such as editorial work, typing, printing etc.
iv. for training opportunities relevant to your writing
Academi can consider other applications for assistance from disabled writers.
Maximum award: £2,000
5. The Miscellaneous Fund offers small-scale support related to specific writing projects. For example travel costs, research, work in other languages, childcare, renting quiet space to write and other items which might help you while writing. Capital grants (such as purchasing computers) are not available from this fund. Maximum award: £2,000
Note to Editors:
The Academi is the Welsh National Literature Promotion Agency and Society for Writers, and was founded in 1959 by Bobi Jones and Waldo Williams. It works with the support of the Arts Council of Wales.