News

25 July 2008

Events

Exploring Memory and Place: A Creative Writing Workshop with Jill Dawson
Sat 31 May 2008
2pm, Central Lending Library (Multipurpose Room), 100 Victoria Street

How do we conjure up somewhere we know well? How do we remember with the body rather than with our intellect? These are just some of the very interesting questions that you can explore with award-winning British author, Jill Dawson.

Dawson's work has been translated into over a dozen languages. As a poet, she won an Eric Gregory Award in 1992 and has published her poems in a variety of small press magazines and in one pamphlet collection, White Fish With Painted Nails (1990). She is also the author of six novels, including Magpie (1998), for which she won a London Arts Board New Writers Award. Fred And Edie (2000) was shortlisted for the 2000 Whitbread Novel Award and the 2001 Orange Prize for Fiction.

Limited seats of this creative writing workshop are still available – so register fast! Whether you're a fiction writer, a poet or a playwright, you'll gain new insights into the art of writing in this workshop that consists of sharing, discussion and writing exercises. You'll learn to experiment, break out of old habits, and make use of a mental technique we wouldn't usually use – to learn to draw inspirations from life, and to inject realism and flair into your writing.

This three-hour workshop is presented by National Arts Council's Mentor Access Project, with the kind support of the British Council and National Library Board. Participants of the workshop should be aged 16 and above – they are advised to bring along writing materials.

Get Mentored
The Mentor Access Project (MAP), organised by National Arts Council, is now open for applications for its sixth intake starting in July 2008. MAP is an 18-month mentorship programme to ensure the sustained development of emerging writers by providing them with mentorship opportunities and ongoing critical feedback.

Apart from having the privilege of being tutored by an established writer/playwright, participants will enjoy opportunities for peer interaction and to foster stronger connections with the Singapore literary scene.

Selected applicants can also participate in Masterclass Talks and workshops conducted by established writers, public readings, as well as discussion forums and talks covering the business of publishing, such as copyrights and literary representations (agents).

The New Book Initiative enables promising original works submitted by MAP participants to be considered for book publication, in conjunction with NAC's Publishing and Translation Grant. This is on top of enjoying publishing opportunities in an online literary journal to be produced by MAP at the end of the mentorship period.

MAP is managed by mediaexodus whose team members include Yong Shu Hoong, a published poet and Singapore Literature Prize 2006 winner, and Enoch Ng, General Manager of mediaexodus (and its imprint, firstfruits publications), a Golden Point Award first-prize winner.

Applications are open to Singaporean citizens or permanent residents, aged 18 years and above, writing in the field of poetry, prose or drama in any of the four official languages. The deadline for application is May 31, 2008, and application forms can be downloaded here.

Local Books Wanted!
The Arts House is currently compiling a list of local books and compact discs for its new bookstore, Earshot. Local writers who wish to have their books sold at the bookstore are encouraged to please contact Susanna Wong, Marketing Executive, at Tel: +65 63326918, Fax: +65 63363021 or Email: susanna_wong@toph.com.sg.

Asia and Pacific Writers Network
An Asia and Pacific Writers Network is being developed by the Melbourne PEN Cente and Asialink, a non-government organisation based at the University of Melbourne. They are at the first stage of developing the Network, which is identifying writers, academics and organisations in the region who are interested in participating and adding them to a database. As the database is accessible to all participants, they require permission for people to be listed. If you are interested in participating in this network or know of other writers who are interested, please contact Berni M Janssen directly.

New issue out now!
Read Vol. 7 No. 2 Apr 2008 here. Interested in becoming a contributor? Click here.

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