Open for Submissions Feb 3 – Mar 13 2020!

Writers at all stages of their career should feel able to apply for Residency. They are proud of their long tradition of supporting writers through the WiR programme and are excited to seek out new writers who will come and create their next work at the Library in 2021.

Four places are awarded to writers working in the English language. The proposed dates of the tenures are February, May, September and November. They like to support writers as best we can and we know that many cannot simply abscond from regular life for a month. Residencies can therefore be taken in two two-week blocks, and residencies of a single fortnight will also be considered. They are also flexible with dates.

Gladstone’s Library is unique. It is the only residential library in the United Kingdom. It provides a meeting place dedicated to dialogue, debate and learning for open-minded individuals. The Residency programme is designed to share the Library’s benefits with as many people as they can, broadening the Library’s audience and benefiting from their perspectives in turn. The Library welcomes all, regardless of gender, race, class, sexual orientation or religious affiliation. All Writers in Residence will be at ease with this inclusive ethos.

Gladstone’s Library’s competitive Writer in Residence programme provides space and resources for four writers whose work engages with liberal values. By liberal values, they do not mean views aligned with any one political ideology, but rather:

• a commitment to freedom and social justice;
• tolerance and respect of difference;
• open-mindedness coupled with intellectual curiosity;
• generosity of spirit and a willingness to learn from others.

Each residency includes:

• Accommodation in an ensuite room for a period of four consecutive weeks;
• All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and refreshments (telephone calls, alcoholic drinks, packaged snacks and formal Afternoon Tea are not included);
• Travel expenses to and from the Library at the start and end of the residency (HMRC mileage allowance or standard bus/train fares within the UK);
• An honorarium of £100.00 per week.

Each winning author must:

• Attend the official London prizewinning ceremony
• Participate, where possible, in any other publicity events held before or after their residency;
• Respond to media/press enquiries as appropriate and by prior agreement with the library’s warden, Peter Francis;
• Submit two blog posts to the Gladstone’s Library website;
• Lead a creative writing workshop to not more than twenty participants;
• Give an evening talk about any aspect of their writing and/or creative life;
• Abide by the normal terms and conditions for guests staying at Gladstone’s Library.

Eligible texts:

• Books must be published in the UK. Submitted texts must have been published for the first time in the last three years (2018-2020) or be forthcoming (2021).
• Prose fiction and non-fiction, poetry, screenplays and drama are all eligible for submission.
• The Residency programme will consider unpublished scripts if submitted with evidence of performance.
• They accept manuscript submissions accompanied by evidence of a contract and publishing schedule. Preference will be given to books due to be published during the relevant year of residency.

Deadline 

Friday, 13th March 2020.

Schedule: Judging takes place in August, and winners will be notified by the end of August.

The official announcement is made at Gladfest in early September. All winners are invited to a launch event at the National Liberal Club in Westminster, London (likely November/December).

https://www.gladstoneslibrary.org/events/writers-in-residence