Announcing our 2024 Reinventing the Protagonist Cohort

Reinventing the Protagonist is an online writer development programme for Deaf and/or Disabled and/or Neurodivergent writers. This opportunity is organised and run by Literature Wales in partnership with Disability Arts Cymru. The programme is delivered as a series of 5 digital group workshops and bespoke one-to-one sessions, led by internationally acclaimed playwright and writer Kaite O’Reilly.  

The programme was held for the first time in 2023, with some of the writers who took part going on to achieve great success with their writing – from publishing books, to completing first drafts of novels to professionally developing plays.  

This year’s cohort are: Amy Grandvoinet, Cathy Piquemal, Fiona Maher, Grace O’Brien, Jane Campbell, Kaja Brown, Leigh Manley, Regina Beach, Steph Roberts and Tafsila Kahn.  

Regina Beach said: 

“Being in a cohort with other Deaf and disabled artists who really understand the challenges of being a creative and finding a seat at the table when there is not always a lot of representation or support available will be an invaluable experience. I would like to be sensitive to other’s experience while reflecting on my own disability and how I navigate the world as a disabled female immigrant and how those identities coexist. I’d like to better understand how to create three-dimensional disabled characters that do more than elicit pity or act as a memento mori for the reader.” 

Tutor Kaite O’Reilly said:  

“I created this course to challenge problematic representations of difference in literature and the media, to promote and celebrate existing outstanding work by Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent writers, and – with Literature Wales and DAC’s support – nurture and celebrate the next generation. There is so much talent within Wales by people historically excluded and overlooked – to encourage and showcase that talent with this exciting cohort of writers is a delight and a privilege.” 

You can visit the Reinventing the Protagonist page to find out more about the programme’s cohort of writers and their aims. 

To find out more about Literature Wales’ development opportunities for writers, head over to our I am a Writer page.