Reinventing the Protagonist returns: Opportunity for Deaf and/or Disabled and/or Neurodiverse writers to join a virtual creative writing course

Grace Quantock, one of last year’s course  participants said:

“The course has been transformative – so rarely are disabled authors and people with bodies outside norms and binaries celebrated and centred. Learning how to make art from my life, from what’s so often ignored and unacknowledged in wider culture or even by medical teams is so powerful. Unabashedly exploring the disabled gaze and culture was healing and nourishing for me and I hope it can be for disabled readers and all those who read work that emerges from this amazing workshop series.” ​

Who is the course for? 

Literature Wales and Disability Arts Cymru are welcoming applications from Deaf and/or Disabled and/or Neurodivergent writers based in Wales. The course is suitable for highly committed emerging writers looking to expand their writing toolkit, and more experienced writers looking to reinvent their protagonists. The course is relevant for writers of all genres, including poetry, prose, non-fiction and scriptwriting.  

What will the course include? 

Using stimulating examples of poetry, fiction, and plays written by disabled and Deaf writers, the workshops will look to challenge the stereotypes, and consider new narratives, reinvented protagonists, surprising endings, and a refreshed language for the participants’ work.  

A brief example of what to expect in each session can be viewed here: Course Content. 

Kaite O’Reilly, Course Tutor said:

 “I’m delighted that ‘Reinventing the Protagonist’ is being run again this year. I created the course to challenge ableist cultural attitudes by supporting and developing Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent writers in Wales, the often overlooked talent with fresh or subversive perspectives to share. We’re exploring an alternative, inclusive canon through reading and celebrating disabled and Deaf writers internationally, while encouraging our Wales-based cohort to strengthen their practice and develop their ‘voice’ through craft-based exercises. Last year we created a small, supportive community whose talent is already being recognised in publications and stagings. We have high hopes for this year, excited by what may emerge from previously hidden or excluded talent.” 

Nye Russel-Thompson, Performing Arts and Literature Development Officer for DAC said:

I’m so pleased that we can deliver a second year of Reinventing the Protagonist, particularly after working with last year’s talented cohort. Kaite O’Reilly back to give another series of workshops? Another group of talented artists looking to explore and develop other genres of writing? Amazing! I am very excited for Disability Arts Cymru and Literature Wales to be working on another round of this. 

Accessibility 

This course will be run on the video platform Zoom. Each session will last 2.5 hours, with a comfort break in the middle. If required for access purposes, sessions can be recorded for the participants to watch back in their own time, to digest the workshop at their own pace.  

Literature Wales will issue Access Riders to all successful applicants, to ask for access requirements so we can provide adequate support where needed. For example, Literature Wales can organise a live captioner or a BSL interpreter to be present during the sessions. Literature Wales staff will also be available for discussions prior to the course about how we can ensure that the course is as accessible, comfortable, and enjoyable for each individual beforehand. 

How can I apply for this course? 

You will need to fill in an application form, and provide a short extract (1,000 words or up to five poems) of your creative work. This can be poetry, prose, non-fiction or a script.  

The deadline for applications is: 12.00 noon Thursday 29 August 2024 

Find out more here: How to apply

If you would like to chat to a member of staff before applying, please email Literature Wales on post@literaturewales.org or call us for a chat: 01766 522 811 (Tŷ Newydd Office) or 02920 472266 (Cardiff Office). Or you can reach out to us on social media. 

Literature Wales and Disability Arts Cymru staff will also be available to answer your questions during two informal virtual drop-in sessions. 

Register for the session by clicking on the dates below: 

Wednesday 24 July at 12.00pm-1.00pm 

Tuesday, 6 August 12.00 – 1.00pm 

Further information about the tutor, accessibility, course content, FAQs and application process can be viewed on the Reinventing the Protagonist project page on the Literature Wales website. 

Literature Wales is grateful to Disability Arts Cymru for their support and partnership to run this course.