Writers across the West Midlands are invited to apply to be part of this year’s Room 204.
Writing West Midlands is offering 10-15 emerging writers the chance to work on an exclusive year-long programme aimed at developing their creative careers.
Now in its 6th year, Room 204 recruits writers of all genres and gives them each over £1,000 worth of career support.
Jane Commane, poet and non-fiction writer who is a current Room 204 participant says:
“Room 204 is like rocket-fuel for your writing career; what it gives you is permission to take your writing seriously, and the support, sound advice and camaraderie you need to get on and get things done.
“The guidance Room 204 gave me was thoughtful, subtle but powerful – most of all it gave me the confidence to take the plunge with my writing in lots of ways, and I’ve found the resulting ideas, and opportunities to be enormously valuable.
“I’ll always be grateful to this excellent scheme for what it’s done for me and the network other writers I’ve met as a part of its broad and welcoming community.”
Previous participants have benefitted from a wealth of expertise, giving them access to publishers, agents, producers and project support.
They have also gone on to appear at the annual Birmingham Literature Festival, a Writing West Midlands project.
Jonathan Davidson, Chief Executive of Writing West Midlands, said:
“Room 204 is one of the most exciting aspects of our work. It’s an opportunity for us to directly support and influence the careers of writers in the region, many of whom we believe will go on to become significant in their areas, regionally and nationally.”
Career development includes invaluable access to mentoring from established writers, workshops on topics such as pitching and tax, introductions to relevant industry insiders including agents, editors and radio producers, and a free place at the annual National Writers’ Conference, which takes place at the University of Birmingham on 10 June.
Room 204 is open to writers of all genres and media who are over the age of 18.
Submissions open on Monday 16 January and you can submit your application for this year’s Room 204 until 5pm on Thursday 9 February 2017.
Applications are done entirely by email and online, you can find all the details here.