Representing Wales is an important step in Literature Wales’ efforts to help transform our country’s literary culture, which should be truly reflective of Wales’ diverse communities. The programme is developed to improve representation within the literature sector by demystifying the writing profession, and to establish a pipeline of diverse Welsh talent that will be recognised across the UK and beyond. Representing Wales is funded by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Wales.
Each year, the programme is designed in careful consultation with communities, writers, and consultants from Literature Wales’ extensive networks to address existing barriers within the sector. The first edition of the Representing Wales programme, launched in 2020 focused on writers of colour and the current round supports writers from low-income backgrounds.
In its third year, the programme will welcome applications from Wales-based writers who come from an under-represented background and who are writing or interested in writing for children and young people. Read more about why this year’s programme will focus on writing for children and young people here.
The programme will support a cohort of 13 writers by offering the following:
- a financial award of up to £3,300 to help writers take time out to write, attend training sessions and literary events and to support travel expenses
- a series of one-to-one mentoring sessions during the year
- monthly workshops and talks
- opportunities to network, make new contacts and build relationships with other writers
- opportunities to meet experts in the literature and publishing industry in Wales and beyond
- opportunities to develop your skills as a workshop practitioner and engage with schools
The programme will begin in March 2023 and run until the end of February 2024.
You can learn more about the programme in our FAQ section.
Representing Wales is funded by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Wales, developed to improve representation within the literature sector in Wales.