Notes on Nature Course: Frequently Asked Questions

This opportunity is for Wales-based individuals of colour who identify as women or of a marginalised gender. Applicants must be over the age of 18.

The course will be delivered in English. However, we welcome writers who primarily write in Welsh to join, as the skills and craft you will learn on the course will apply to creative writing in all languages.

We also particularly welcome expressions of interest from writers who identify with one or several of the following statements:

• I come from a low-income background (this includes individuals who were eligible for free school meals or whose parents were in low-paid jobs, unemployed, or receiving benefits including disability allowances when applicants were 14 years old);
• I identify as disabled or have a long-term health condition;
• I belong to the LGBTQA+ community

Please feel free to contact us if there’s anything about the application process or the course that you will find difficult. We will do our best to help you.

You can contact us on email (tynewydd@literaturewales.org) or call us for a chat: 01766 522 811 (Tŷ Newydd Office). Or you can reach out to us on social media.

The group of up to 8 successful writers will be invited to send us an Access Rider, to help inform us of the support you will need to able to fully partake in the course. We can provide a template if helpful, and staff from Literature Wales will be on hand to help.

No. Most of Literature Wales’ Tŷ Newydd courses require a fee to attend, but some of our more strategic activity is offered free of charge to individuals through an application process.

Yes. A financial contribution of up to £70 is available to each participant. If you have any questions or concerns about traveling to and from Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre , you can contact us on email (tynewydd@literaturewales.org) or call us for a chat: 01766 522 811 (Tŷ Newydd Office). Or feel free to reach out to us on social media.

More information can also be found on Tŷ Newydd’s FAQ page.

In short, no. We are looking for a range of writers to take part in the course, from those who are only just beginning to explore the genre to those who have perhaps already published their work.  What’s important is to demonstrate an interest in deepening your understanding of nature writing and your relationship with the natural world.

Participants do not need to be knowledgeable about the environment and the climate, simply show an interest in nature and the natural world. We warmly encourage participants from both rural and urban areas to apply, as equal emphasis will be placed on both landscapes during the course.

All submitted emails and videos will be considered by the tutors, with support from Literature Wales staff. We will inform all writers of the outcome by Monday, 28 August. We will select up to eight successful writers for the course.

Our decision will be based on:

• how you’ve communicated your interest and passion for nature and nature writing
• your understanding of the purpose of the course and how it could help your development as a writer, as well as support your well-being.

We will provide some written feedback to everyone who expresses interest in the course, and we will advise on other opportunities Literature Wales and partners may have available.

We are aware that correspondence regarding unsuccessful applications can have a negative impact on your health and well-being. We give our pledge to respect and value each individual email, giving it due consideration and attention.

Literature Wales will encourage the cohort to continue to meet online after the course, to discuss progress, barriers, and to share work in progress.  Where relevant, the Literature Wales staff will also be on-hand to signpost relevant developmental and/or publishing opportunities.