Mid-career to established NSW writers are encouraged to apply for this year’s Write North Writers’ Group Residency, in the second year of a partnership with Create NSW and Byron Writers Festival.

 

Local Nationals Member of the Legislative Council and Parliamentary Secretary for the Arts Ben Franklin said the partnership with Byron Writers Festival is part of a suite of NSW Government initiatives aimed to support NSW writers, festivals and organisations.

 

“I know the past year has been tough for NSW’s talented writers, and this partnership with Byron Writers Festival is one of many targeted initiatives aimed to support local stories and provide unmatched opportunities for NSW writers to advance their skills and develop their stories.

 

“The selected writers’ group will be supported by Byron Writers Festival through the mentorship, workshops, and group discussions, and I look forward to reading their stories in the future,” said Ben Franklin.

 

Byron Writers Festival Director Edwina Johnson said “thanks to the support of Create NSW, this residential writers’ program offers writers’ groups a collaborative creative development opportunity unlike any other. With Charlotte Wood bringing her depth of experience and expertise for the second year, it is sure to be a special opportunity for the selected group.

 

“Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Byron hinterland, this program gives writers the chance to throw themselves into the creative process and emerge renewed. Byron Writers Festival is committed to nurturing the careers of regional NSW writers, both those located within and outside the Northern Rivers region,” said Ms Johnson.

 

The Residency, valued at almost $30,000, will support a writers’ group of two to four members in a creative residency from 26 October – 2 November 2021 in Byron Bay. The total in-kind and cash value of the residency includes funding towards travel and accommodation in Byron Bay. This residency comes with up to $10,000 financial support for the group to continue their writing development after the residency.

 

The successful group will receive mentorship from award-winning, established author Charlotte Wood and further development in the individual writers’ projects towards publication. Applications for this Residency will be assessed by members of the Create NSW Literature Board and Byron Writers Festival.

 

The NSW Government has invested more than $2 million in the NSW Literature sector through the Rescue and Restart fund, including $1,220,000 in direct stimulus to writing organisations and writing festivals, and $865,000 in strategic initiatives to support regional residencies and activities throughout regional NSW.

 

Applications for the 2021 Write North Writers’ Group Residency close 5pm Monday 17 May 2021. For more information and to apply, visit the Create NSW website www.create.nsw.gov.au